Just before Thanksgiving, I went away for a staff conference where the Lord challenged me through our regional directors to REST in Him! Not just escape via movies, television and friendly conversation, but spend time in His lap listening to His soothing words. I would consider myself an introverted extravert; I really enjoy spending time with people or sitting alone in my room as I video chat with them or read about them on Facebook or Twitter. The cyber interaction isn't as overwhelming as face to face interaction all week long, but it's also not very restful. Being the good New Yorker that I am, I'm constantly in motion and the idea of spending the entire week of Thanksgiving at REST at home caused me stress.
So I decided to spend as much time on campus as possible before "leaving" for a week of rest. Just before the staff conference I spent nearly 40 hours working in just a 4 day period and although in retrospect it wasn't the wisest thing to do, it was SO worth it!
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| Sharon, Christa & Coral |
- Monday night, Kean Cru organized a party to pack shoe boxes that they would later donate with sororities & other social groups from Kean University to Operation Christmas Child via the ministry of Samaritan's Purse. We were able to pack and wrap around 15 boxes from Kean Cru alone! :) Praise God, Jehova-Jireh, our provider!
- Wednesday night I knew God was laying it on my heart to talk to the best friend of one of the student leaders from Kean Cru. After a long day of meetings and discipleship, I went to visit Jenny in her dorm. Through a 4 1/2 hour conversation full of random stories and the Gospel, we called Christa (center above), to experience the joy of watching her best friend pray to enter into a relationship with Christ! :) Praise God, loving Father.
- After an initial failed attempt to visit the gay pride group on campus, Kean Cru was invited to attend their weekly meeting. Kean Cru leaders prayed all week long as a few well-spoken seniors and grad students from the Christian group represented the ministry by apologizing for the general actions of hateful Christians towards homosexuals. Soaked in love and prayer, these students delivered an authentic and unapologetic message to the gay community at Kean University. "We serve a God of love, not hate. He created you and us for relationship with Him and we know that He sent us here to Kean to tell you that He loves you." Cru students reported that the members of the gay group were in awe and nearly moved to tears at the thought that God would love them. At the end of their truthful and loving message, a student responded "I have something to say to you on behalf of the gay community..." At this point, the Kean Cru student leaders nervously began to try to recall scripture that they may need for the anticipated debate. The student continues "...we are sorry for avoiding you and treating you differently simply for what you believe. You may be different from us, but we can treat you with love." Mouths dropped as they thanked one another for their time and left in peace! :) Our God is loving and sovereign! In His time, we pray He will cause that planted seed to grow!
- Thursday afternoon, I met with a student who prayed a year ago to receive Christ but has been struggling with figuring out how that changes her life. Later that night at our weekly meeting Bible study, guest Pastor Peter Torres spoke on "Love and Forgiveness". Taking us to the garden of Eden and through a detailed meaning of the cross of Christ, Peter challenged those who know and don't know God to have a deeper understanding of His relentless love. This challenge pierced the heart of the young lady I met with earlier that day and she re-dedicated her life to the Lord and set up accountability to walking with Him right then and there. :) Praise God, omniscient King!
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