Time for a little catching up: this past week was Missions Emphasis Week here at school, five days for missionaries and mission organizations to come and talk to students. Th majority of the student body a LeTourneau are interested in missions on some level, whether a kid of missionary, training to live out the call to go over seas later, considering being a 'tent-maker,' or just preparing to enter the business world and be one of the many vital supporters. I personally very much enjoy the many opportunities presented throughout the week to converse with enthusiastic missionaries and share the excitement of what God is doing all around the world with my brothers and sisters in the faith! I spoke with a couple who spent 23 years in Kenya with
AIM, a lady who had worked on translating the Bible for 14 years in PNG with
Wycliffe, a couple who had lived in Rwanda, Liberia, and Congo and now both their children are missionaries in Jordon with
WEC, a young lady who recently came back from two years in India teaching
One Story, and a man who told me about all sorts of intern ship opportunities over the summer with
World Team. Wednesday evening a lady with
Gospel for Asia lead our floor devotion time. On Thursday evening a variety of seminars were held; I attended one about the work of
JAARS, an information/testimony time from a couple with
Cross World, and an update of
Wycliffe's 2025 vision.
One of our guest chapel speakers, a professor at Dallas Theological Seminary and works closely with
CAM International, preached from 2 Corinthians 4 and 5. The theme for the week was 'Redeemed 2 Reconcile,' taken from 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. Thursday morning, he ended his sermon on chapter 4 by asking us to recommit to do whatever God had put on our hearts, no matter the consequences. I had been struggling to make sense of my current place the past few weeks, but I realized I was exactly where God put me and I needed to refocus on what He wants me to do now without being caught up in worry about what I can't control. During Friday morning chapel, he shared an arousing message from 2 Corinthians 5, concluding with an alter call for anyone who heard God's call to the mission field in any capacity, anyone who wanted to give themselves whole-heartedly to the mission work anywhere God would direct. I practically leapt out of my seat! After being in the humdrums of life for several months, God's strong call pulled me down front, and with a great joy nearly overwhelming me, I once more gave God both reigns. Such a wonderful peace flooded me. I felt so weak, yet so very strong because I knew He was holding me. Trying to speak a comprehensible sentence was totally out of the question as I thanked God for calling me and all those near me who had also answered the call. Leaving chapel, and for the rest of the day, I couldn't stop grinning and singing praise to God!
My Father God is amazingly, mightily, wonderfully, justly, awesomely, incomprehensibly, incomparably faithful, gracious, merciful, and loving!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and I love HIM!!!!!
The past couple weeks and the upcoming few weeks are very challenging for me. Please pray for me: better attitude, patient endurance, efficient concentration, and correct focus = Jesus. With big papers and important projects, on top of regular homework, the limits of my academic abilities are being pushed more than ever before. I think I've said that at the end of every semester of college, but it is still true. I am stretched almost to the point of ripping and splintering, then I end up growing and becoming stronger....kinda like getting mild shin-splits.....
