Paid Vs. Aid National Contest...$1000...? What would you choose?

Hey Friends!

Introducing: The Frosh Week Media Campaign that we're using to get the student's attention this fall!

For more information and a video about Soul Cravings... and the Paid Vs.Aid Contest... check out:

Paid vs. Aid

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Imagine you're in University.

If you were given $1000, would you out it towards (a) your tuition?(b) water
wells in Benin?(c) taking care of orphans in Tanzania?(d) Shelter for families in Haiti?

This is an opportunity to change a life...change the world? How do you choose?... I guess the real question is...What do you CRAVE?

Paid vs. Aid is a contest running on campuses across Canada. Each winner will win a choice between WATER, SHELTER, ORPHANS or your TUITION. Presented before you is a choice; it’s not a simple choice of what to eat or what to wear. It’s a choice that has ramifications for your future and for the future of others. The choice between money for tuition, or money to go towards those living in underdeveloped nations isn’t cut and dry.

We know that the decision is hard. It's hard because the deeper question is not just "What should I choose... but how do I choose?"

Do you ever think about what drives you to make your decisions in life. Do you ever think about how your soul's cravings dictate you're life's decisions?

Do you crave success? Security? Meaning? Justice? These cravings all end up impacting decisions to pursue a certain type of career, choices to subscribe to a religion, or to enter a relationship.

Which craving ultimately wins out?

What choices are going satisfy these cravings?

When we’re presented with a choice, and brought to a place where both options have their merits and flaws, apathy is no longer possible. We’re forced to reevaluate life and those things that we crave.

Until we take note of our cravings, they may never be quenched.

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Wrenched.

Definition of "Wrenched":

1. A sudden sharp, forcible twist or turn.

2. An injury produced by twisting or straining.

3. A sudden tug at one's emotions; a surge of compassion, sorrow, or anguish.

....When He saw the throngs, He was moved with pity and sympathy for them, because they were bewildered (harassed and distressed and dejected and helpless), like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36 (Amplified)

Today we were handing out "Frosh Kits" to students. A Frosh kit includes:

i.) Copy of the New Testament.
ii.) A 60 page devotional type of book called "Soul Cravings"
iii.) A booklet explaining how a person can enter into a personal relationship with God
iv.) A flyer advertising our different events happening this week
vi.) A survey, asking them to tell us what they believe about the Spiritual component of their life.

Scene: We're standing around our information tables... it's raining... I'm cold...but happy- I have my coffee and I'm having some good conversations with students... so I'm in a good mood!

Student slowly lingers as he's walking past the table. He's wearing a baseball cap with some fraternity symbols on it.... (I'll call him "Calvin... he reminded me of Calvin from the Calvin and Hobbes comics)

Me: "Hey, did you hear about the survey we're doing today?"

Calvin: "No."

Me:" Are you interested in filling it out... ?If your name gets pulled out of a hat.. you can win $1000... and you have a choice to put towards your tuition, or to build a well in Benin, or to support Orphans in Tanzania, or to build a shelter for a family in Haiti..."

Calvin: "Sure, I'll fill it out"....(Fills it out, then stares at it for a minute or two before he hands it back to me.)

Me: I noticed you were mulling over it quite a bit... do you think about this aspect of your life a lot?

Calvin:"Yeah, I think about it all the time."

Me: "Oh, what's your story..."

Calvin: "My family never really talked about it growing up. I never had any friends that talked to me about God or Jesus... no one close to me at least...It's something I've wondered about for a long time... but I've kind of been on my own to figure it out."

Me: "Oh wow... that must be kind of hard... Can I share with you my story... and what the bible says about how we have a personal relationship with God?"

Calvin: "Sure."

Me: (I share the Gospel with him... and ask him what he thinks about it...)

Calvin: "I definitely know I need Jesus in my life. I know that He is, to some degree...but I guess I don't want to go any further with Him then where I am right now. All of this is very new, and to be honest a little overwhelming."

*Side Note... the whole time we're talking his body language totally changes... his eyes light up and he leaned into really read the booklet and engage with the information I was giving him. When I shared the bible verses with him... you could tell he was eating them up. I had a chance to share my testimony with him... and he asked me questions about it. .. I could almost sense his Soul crying out as we were talking...*

Me: "... are you interested in meeting up with someone to talk more about beginning a relationship with God... we have bible studies that we offer on campus."

Calvin: "To be honest.. this whole thing is still kind of overwhelming for me. Because my family never talked about it while I was growing up, for me to talk about it is still awkward for me. I know that I want God in my life. I know that He loves me. I know that I need Jesus. But I am still trying to figure out what the next step. I just need to process this on my own a little more before I start meeting with other Christians."

Me: "Okay... for sure. I totally understand. If you're interested in ever meeting up with anyone, feel free to look us up on facebook."

Calvin:"I will definitely!" (Walks away with a Frosh Kit in hand)

This is why I am working full time on the campus...this is why I'm not working in a church...or just focusing on discipling Christian university students... (although I think those ministries are so important!) I am here because I want to win the lost. I am here for the lost. God has placed me on campus to bring the Gospel to the lost. I know that there are students out there like Calvin... that are confused and not sure where to go or what to do about it...

"There was never really anyone that was close to me that talked to me about Jesus....!"

When he said this, I felt my heart wrench.

Please pray for "Calvin"... and the other students like him.

Answered.

Falling on my knees in worship
Giving all I am to seek your face
Lord all I am is yours

My whole life
I place in your hands
God of Mercy
Humbled I bow down
In your presence at your throne

I called you answered
And you came to my rescue and I
I wanna be where you are

In my life be lifted high
In our world be lifted high
In our love be lifted high

- Hillsongs, Came to my Rescue-  

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In July... I prayed and asked God for something. 

Yesterday he answered.  I can't get the praise and worship to stop in my head!
I find myself singing all the time! 

Thank you Lord!

I pray that my eyes would be lifted this year. 

I pray that you would be lifted high in my life this year. 

I pray that you would be lifted high in my love this year. 

I pray that my heart would be alligned to your heart. 

I pray that I would be focused on your voice. 

I pray that I would have a heart of a servant. 

I pray that I would live simply and love extravagantly.

I pray that I would know you more. 

I pray that I would love you more. 

I pray that I would reflect you more. 

I love you Lord, Happy New School Year! 

Be lifted high!

-M

Journal Entry from Aug 30th- A meeting with 3 other missionaries!

This weekend I met 3 inspiring people. I met N***,T***, and M***. We went out for Chinese food and had a great conversation. I want to remember this afternoon!

N*** is an entrepreneur mobilizing young people to move into low income housing and to be missionaries in their own cities. He had some really cool stories. He's both visionary and encouraging. If any of you are feeling restless and not sure how to be a missionary, while, staying committed to your job, family, church..etc.., let me know and I'll connect you with his ministry. N**** said he wants to blur the line between 'missionaries' and 'lay people' in the church. I like that!

T*** has been a missionary in Africa and Pakistan for many years... her and her husband raised five kids on the field... (even before there was internet!!) Every now and then I meet hard core, old school missionaries and I can't help but wonder if our generation is just a completely different breed. She is very gentle and sweet. I wish I had longer to pick her brain.

M*** has been a missionary in Pakistan and Afghanistan for the last 33 years. He is also hard core. He referred to himself as a 'tea drinker'... meaning it's his full time job to drink tea with people, get into their lives, and share the love of Christ with them. I took it as a compliment when he called me a tea drinker.

At one point, T***, N****, M*** and I were discussing moving into slums in 'low risk' vs. 'high risk' environments. A low risk environment would be a low income neighborhood in Canada. A high risk environment would be moving into a slum in India or Africa. During this conversation, I said, "I don't understand how this works.. I know this sounds bad, but isn't sending a single, north American woman, to live in a slum in a high risk environment...isn't that a death wish for her?" To which N*** and M*** responded that one doesn't move in, until they have built enough of a relationship with the community and neighbors that they're surrounded by. Once you are "in" with them... the community becomes your protection. (This takes a while.. N***'s sister is living in a slum in Indonesia, and it took her 3 years to build enough of a relationship with the people in the slum to do that 'safely'.)The risk of danger, theft and harm, never dissipates, but when you're embraced as a part of the community, the people look after you.

This whole conversation fascinates me. I live in a completely different world than the world of the people that I had lunch with today.

I don't know too many people that are actually living out this concept of "love"...this radically and passionately...I don't know anyone right now that is testing this theory about "the community in the slum rising up to protect you..." like N***'s sister is doing right now... That takes guts for sure!

I feel so encouraged to meet 'average' folks who are putting it all on the line to serve God.

If there is anything I took away from that conversation, it's the when you give your life to God... He delivers. When I first became a Christian... I remember thinking... "I don't think I could do full time ministry"... my reason: I thought it would be too boring.

My conclusion now... the more you surrender different areas of your life to God... the more interesting your life gets!