“How’d it go?”
After a busy first 8 weeks, Fall Retreat, and 25 visiting staff ”blitzing” four DC campuses for 3 days, there’s never been a more reasonable question to ask. And I’ve never felt less sure how to answer. Can I let you eavesdrop a little while I think on it?
Carrie, do you love me?
Yes, Lord… Why do you ask?
More than your success? More than a “well done”? More than the Mission itself? (It is not the end, I AM.)
Carrie, do you love me?
Uh…
Will you feed my lambs? Even when you are wearied by their indecision? Grieved by their idolatry? Sickened by their sexual deviance? Annoyed by their immaturity? Embarrassed by the family resemblance? Feed my sheep. MY sheep. (They are not your trophy or widget.)
Carrie, do you love me?
Lord, you know… But what about these other ministries? They have so many freshmen — students are leading, stuff is happening! They must get something we don’t…”
If it is my will that they remain fruitful, what is that to you? You follow me! In a city of competence and résumés, will you resolve to know nothing but Christ crucified? Will you pour out your precious time with the runaways, internationals, and non-traditionals who will interrupt, drop out, move away and never give back to the “success” of “your movement”?
So, how did it go?
All of us at Fall Retreat
Well, we went (with less students than last year) to Fall Retreat, where one of our sophomore leaders realized for the first time that “God wants all of me,” and has been repenting of hidden sin and trusting God to give up substance abuse.
Our small group Bible study at Georgetown (which has been averaging about 3 actual GU students) has collected an 18-year-old gay runaway we met during “Blitz Week” who wants nothing more than to love Jesus wholeheartedly and start learning the Bible.
And in the past week, God gave opportunities for me to discuss the good news of grace clearly with three people: a bright young man studying audio technology at the University of MD (not our school), a Georgetown non-traditional student who lives across the city and whose only class is during our only group time, and an exchange student (also a Blitz Week contact) who will move back to China in just over a month. None of these dear folks are likely to be involved with the movement.
The Lord brings hurting people out of the woodwork to consider message of Jesus. These people need more one-on-one dialogue time than ever (years, it seems), and yet this city is such a transient place! Movements do not happen without qualified leaders, and qualified leaders do not happen apart from laboring in prayer and waiting on the Holy Spirit. So please continue to pray with us for patience, wisdom, and perseverance, as we follow a God who does not disappoint! Thanks again for being in this with us!
Pray for:
- Praise God for good health so far this year!
- Pray for the students mentioned above, and several other potential leaders.
- Pray for our slowly-forming volunteer army – their spiritual health & our practical wisdom in how to best fit them in.
- Pray for our staff team’s upcoming visit to the VA Beach area to give lift to friends and help with a cross-cultural movement launch.
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