Waiting

I tend to over pack when I travel, and this was the case once again as Ben and I prepared for a five day trip to Dallas for a training conference. I like options, so it's hard for me to choose just the amount of items needed for an event, be it five outfits for five days, or two books for a two hour flight. (This WILL not be the case come May when we go to Ghana!) My carry on was loaded with entertainment options for our short flight-and I'm happy to say that I ended up using most of them! One acted as the gateway to the others, and it was my least anticipated resource.

'Worldwide Challenge' is the magazine put out by our organization, Campus Crusade for Christ. Its writers and photographers travel around the world to capture stories of what God is doing through a great number of ministries and individuals. Though I love reading magazines for recreation, I am rarely inclined to pick this one up at home. I usually move toward 'Real Simple' or something I can get good recipes or housekeeping ideas from. So I thought I might actually read it on the airplane-and I'm glad I made room for it!

Many of the articles challenged me to open my Bible and reflect on the messages myself. I pulled out my journal to scribble things God was showing me about about my own faith and journey with Him. An article that particularly struck me was one about waiting. I tend to jump ahead to whatever is next in life and neglect to just be where I am. I'll just end by sharing a thought from the author.

"Having to wait requires me to feel the depth of my need and my inability to do things alone. Having to wait exposes upon whom I trust and depend. Having to wait allows for growth, maturity, and, sometimes, the opportunity to savor things I could only enjoy at that unique time. Considering how I usually respond to seasons of longing, I overlook those benefits. Instead I have moments of obsessive focus on what I don't have, angry complaining, frantic comparisons. Basically, I become self-absorbed." -Author Sarah Martin

Check out the latest stories @ http://worldwidechallenge.org/magazine

TCX-Twin Cities Experience

Every year for the past six years I (Katie) have spent New Year's in Minneapolis with 1,000+ college students. Through our organization, ten different conferences are held around this time throughout the U.S. to rally students and challenge them in their faith. TCX 2010: Awaken was my favorite one yet.

Part of it was me finally feeling like I fit in my role as a staff member. Another part of it was the excitement of having new students from our campuses come for the first time. (15 out of 18 were new from UW-Parkside!) All in all, it really was an adventure. Every role I had was a new one this year.

*Ben and I led a breakout session for Ghana, where we are leading a team this summer. We included students from last summer's team and invited those attending to join us this year. Below, they are dancing to welcome others to the session!


*We emceed a 4 hour long senior seminar, which kicked off this year and was a huge success! While students are challenged at the main sessions to think about having an impact back on campus, seniors are thinking about how they won't be on campus much longer and are wanting to know how to transition to the 'real world'. *I led our two campus times, where students from our nine schools gathered to share what they learned at the conference and pray together. A highlight is always the day of outreach, where everyone pairs up and goes to a house, assigned by a local church, to deliver food and spiritual resources. Sometimes people don't need the food; other times they are in tears because their refrigerators are empty.

I had the privilege of going with Jisha, (above left) a student at Parkside that had come to TCX with her friend. She was honest with me about not being sure if she could follow Christ, because though she was raised in a traditional Christian home and once felt close to God, she has studied a lot of science in college and wants to be able to give reasons for her faith. I enjoyed getting to know her and prayed that God would continue drawing her to Himself throughout TCX and back on campus. I couldn't help but think during our evening session that much of what the speaker said would penetrate Jisha's heart. Later that night, her friend told me Jisha accepted Christ! She had told me that afternoon that she just wanted to get her to the conference so God could use the speakers and others to help Jisha overcome her barriers to trusting Christ. What a good friend!

For more photos, stories from students all over the Midwest, or sessions streamed live, visit www.TCX2010.com.

Dexter McCluster's Testimony

In the spirit of finishing the football season-a real life story of KC Chiefs wide receiver Dexter McCluster.