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!