Moved!

Hi guys,

I know it's been FOR-EV-ER since I updated this, but if any of you are still reading or are subscribed, I wanted to let you know that Lindsay and I have relocated our blog - and are actually writing on it! You can find us at www.randyandlindsay.com, which is set up under blogspot. Thanks for following us!

Randy

Our Team in Haiti

I started this blog in hopes that it could be a sort of link between the members of this ministry team, hence the name team connect. In the spirit of that, I would like to share with all of you about something that has nothing to do with me or the ministry I'm doing, but rather something from one of our teammates.

All of you have no doubt watched from afar the devastation of Haiti in the wake of the earthquake that ravaged this small poverty stricken state last Wednesday. I became aware late that night that for some of us, this won't be merely tragic images on the television screen or a news website.

Amanda is a friend of mine from DC that I met through my beloved small group and joined this team last summer. She is a nurse in the Navy, arrived yesterday in Haiti as part of the US's relief efforts to that afflicted land.

Please keep Amanda in your prayers. Here are a few suggestions. I'll see if she has anything more specific to share and let you know.

• Protection: I'm told that many of the aid workers in Haiti are having to travel with armed guards.
• That God would use her medical abilities to ease the suffering of the Haitian people.
• That Amanda's faith would shine through continually among the victims and aid workers alike.
• The sale of her Texas home for a fair price, and that this concern would not weigh her down.
  

Lord, hear our prayers.

Why Reach Studnets?

Sometimes it can be helpful to take a step back and remember why we do the things we do. I just found this on the the national XA website (www.chialpha.com) and thought I would share it with all of you:

why reach students?

To connect with individuals who would not otherwise encounter a Biblical message of Jesus Christ. A high percentage of those deciding to become followers of Christ though the efforts of students and staff in Chi Alpha have had no previous exposure to the Gospel of Jesus or a Christian church.

To impact our world's most influential institution, the college and university campus. The social, scientific, and spiritual theories of today's campuses will become the accepted norm for tomorrow's grade schools, businesses and television programs. What America is and what it will become is directly related to what happens on its university campuses. As a nation's campuses go, so goes the future of the nation.

To reach the 700,000 international students studying in the United States. Historically, we see an increase in the blessing of God when we focus on reaching the peoples of the world. George Barna says international student ministry is an "opportunity of a lifetime." International students speak English, want to make American friends, and want to learn about our culture and our religion. These students are at our doorstep.

To protect the investment that the Church has made in our youth. An education at a Bible or Christian College is a great choice for many students. However, a significantly higher number of Christian youth will attend a secular college or university. The Church invests too much time, money and prayer in its youth to not protect and empower that investment during the critical transitions from home to campus and the campus to the marketplace.

Thankful

It's easy to focus on things we need or long for. I often see this when I pray or when I prepare newsletters and updates. Considering this, I've been striving to cultivate within myself a deeper sense of gratitude for all that God has blessed me with in life. Here are a few things that I'll be thanking Him for this Thanksgiving:

• Education: I am loving my time at seminary and God is using it to enlarge my understanding of Him.
• Family: I have a great and loving family, and we have had many developments in the past year to celebrate
• Lindsay: I am grateful for a thriving relationship with an amazing woman. I look forward to seeing where the Lord takes us in the coming months.
• Chi Alpha: I just moved to New England a few months ago, and already I have meaningful relationships in a vibrant Christian community. It's wonderful to be ministering to students who are eager to see God work on their campus.
• YOU! You make all that I do possible through your generosity. Thanks!

On the Personal Side

I'd like to ask for prayer for myself and my family. My father is going into surgery in an hour for a non-complex yet emotionally difficult procedure. At the same time, my mother's uncle passed away on Sunday, and there is a pending police investigation surrounding the circumstances of his death. Please pray that the Lord would comfort my family during this difficult time, particularly giving strength to my mom. She's got a lot to take in and deal with. Thanks guys.

Please pass along anything that I can be praying for on your account as well. After all, it's all part of being a team, and part of the body of Christ.

Up and Running

As I look back on my first several weeks here Chi Alpha at the University of New Hampshire and at Gordon-Conwell, things seem to be going quite well. On the seminary side of things, after much deliberation I'm taking Systematic Theology I, Biblical Greek I, Church History I, and Biblical Global Justice (I'm actually hoping to use the material from this with UNH students next semester).

On the Chi Alpha end things are also great. As I type this I'm on my way to teach my third class on the core beliefs of Christianity. This week I expect to see Christians who know their faith and want to go deeper, grad students and undergrads, a Hindu, Americans, Christians who know nothing of their own faith, Chinese atheists... It's amazing the scope of people that this is impacting! Please take a minute to thank the Lord for all He's done, and ask Him to continue blessing these ventures. Thanks for being part of this with me!

Update and Prayer Requests

The fall semester has officially begun, and can I just say that we are off to a great start. Last night was the first of our bi-monthly Chi Alpha dinners. We had several new students, and many nations represented in the room. I spent the night talking to a grad student from India, and a girl I met at the Chip and Putt night. All in all it was a lot of fun, and I'm left with an intense sense of eagerness to see what the Lord will do next.

Here are some things to pray for in the coming days:

• Sunday- Welcome Barbecue: This is a very important event for us in connecting with new students.
  
• Pray for the incoming students we are meeting: Margo, Dani, Pam, Monica, Jennifer, Heather, Guarav... those are the only names I can remember off the top of my head.
• Small groups and leaders. They just started.
• The class I'm teaching that starts next week.
• SEMINARY! My classes start next Friday. Pray the Lord will help me learn how to maintain a healthy balance of all my responsibilities.