"You are the God of this City": March 2010

If you are reading this blog for the first time, I hope you will continue reading past this post. Perhaps it would give you some insight into why I am so obsessed with New York City and why my heart longs to be there so badly!

Yes, its been around 8 months since Project and I am just now updating the blog with our stats from the summer. We gathered all of this info one of the last days...this is just what was recorded...annnd its pretty awesome!

715 Conversations were initiated.

526 Spiritual conversations

254 people heard the Gospel

15 people placed their faith in Christ (at least)

1,700 Bibles,cd's,water bottles were handed out with info on how to know God personally....this in no way sums up every person we encountered or how the Lord used our team to impact His Kingdom for HIS glory! This summer changed my life and will forever grip my heart! To all of you who supported me, thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!!......fast forward to the PRESENT.....

When I left for New York last summer, I had no idea that I would fall in love with that city. I have never been to a city bigger than Atlanta, I grew up in a small town, and even went to school in a small town. Despite my doubts, I adjusted really well, and fell in love with the City and its people. God gave me a huge passion for what Campus Crusade does there. Ever since my third week on Project I knew that I could see myself doing ministry in New York for a year. The second I left I wanted to go back...and that has not changed, in fact the desire has only grown. This past fall I began praying about going on Staff with Crusade for a year (this is what Crusade calls STINT or an INTERN) in New York. I can not express to you the urgency I feel to be there. I think about it all the time!

So I finally applied on March 1st! The weeks since then have been tormenting. I realized that if I did not get accepted, I wouldn't know what to do...I have wanted this so bad, for so long. As time drug on, I questioned why God would give me such a huge desire for the city if I wasn't supposed to be there. I guess you could say my frustration also came from just being in a place of "waiting". You see I have just moved home because I couldn't find a job. I have been waiting on Crusade, waiting on direction, and opportunity.

This past Tuesday and Wednesday were rough...I was trying to be patient but failing. I was tired of waiting. I wanted to know so I could move forward or move on. Oh what a sad story it is when we tire of waiting on the Lord. I realized that no matter how agonizing it was, God had me waiting for a reason! I found so much comfort in knowing that He knew what was going on and I had a feeling that things were about to fall into place.

Today when I got home from work I had an email from Crusade. Letting me know that I have officially been accepted to Intern with Campus Crusade starting this fall. I am beyond excited, and astonished at how amazing God's timing is! This was worth the wait. God is so faithful!

However the wait is not over...if anything its about to get more intense. You see just because I have been accepted does not mean I automatically get to go. Just like many of our worlds missionaries, I too have to raise support. Not sure the exact amount but I hear it is around $44,000......yeah, thats a lot! Every time I say the number out loud I feel like I just punched myself in the chest. Support raising is not comfortable, and that much money scares the mess out of me. But God is so much bigger than that number. IF he wants me there, I will be there and thats all there is to it. These next couple of months are going to be crazy. With Caswell starting up soon and me beginning the support process.

If you are reading this, I hope you will pray for the process I am about to enter into. That whether I go or not, that God will be glorified. To whichever, there is a purpose. I pray that I raise the support and get to go but the truth is that God is good, even if I don't. Pray for the students of New York! The city with millions of people yet it feels dark and empty. Pray for Crusade's ministry with the students of New York. There are over 1 million college students in New York City, and out of the 100+ colleges, you might be lucky to find a single bible study in 12 of them. The students of New York need to be reached with the reality of the love of Christ.

My heart is all in...ready, set, go...lets see what happens...