Fallgetaway 2011

Fall retreat came and went this year, and we were able to glimpse God's heart for the whole world out in the woods of Wisconsin. Thirteen international students, mostly from mainland China, attended the retreat, two of whom placed their faith in Jesus over the weekend. One of the most striking moments was when Kinsley shared how he developed a heart to take Jesus's message of redemption back to his country, so that others could have a chance to hear it. It blows me away how commonplace the Christian message has become to me because I am inundated with it as a U.S. citizen. Yet for some people, their first opportunity to hear about Jesus comes only when they leave their country and come to UW-Madison or another university. In addition to the thirteen international students, 65 freshmen took a step of faith to spend a weekend off campus with people they recently met to learn more about their faith. Two of the freshmen women I work with who attended the retreat returned to campus with a heart for their peers. One evening Alyssa, who lives in one of the two major party dorms on campus, boldly stepped out and personally invited all 40 of the women on her floor to our small group! God really is moving here in Madison!

And They're Off

We are entering our fifth week of the semester, and it is amazing to see what the Lord has done in such a short amount of time. I think back to September 7th when over 600 college students came to Primetime (our large group meeting). Can you believe that? Over 600 UW-Madison students in the midst of school, work, friends, parties, sports, etc. came to hear about Jesus and meet other people with similar interests. God has been moving in big ways this semester, and yet he is also a personal, individual, detail oriented God. I think of the women I've met so far, people like Vanessa who said, "I've been waiting for someone like you" Although she knew she wanted God to be a part of her transition to college, she didn't know how to make that possible. Or Lindsey, who told me that she doesn't know what she believes, but really wants to figure it out. I meet Girls like Vanessa and Lindsey every week, and I have a unique opportunity to share with them the fact that they can have a personal relationship with God, and that there are other people like them trying to figure out what they believe, or just trying to follow Jesus in the craziness of college.