Twin Cities Expedition!

Last week (Tuesday through Saturday), Melissa and I road-tripped it up to Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. Our purpose was to visit Andrew and friends. One of the days, we went with some friends to visit a national park in Hinkley and experienced, for the first time ever, climbing a fire tower. Fire towers, for those of you who don't know, were used to spot out any fires in the surrounding area. They're incredibly high. I feared for my life. The whole thing rattled and shaked and swayed as we climbed.

A definite highlight of the trip was reading The Scarlet Letter out loud to Melissa. Oh, man! It's such a good book! I highly recommend it. Here are a few quotes:

"She took the baby on her arm, and, with a burning blush, and yet a haughty smile, and a glance that would not be abashed, looked around at her townspeople and neighbors. On the breast of her gown, in fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold thread, appeared the letter A."

"And now, through the chamber which these spectral thoughts had made so ghastly, glided Hester Prynne, leading along little Pearl, in her scarlet garb, and pointing her forefinger, first, at the scarlet letter on her bosom, and then at the clergyman's own breast."

This next one is my FAVORITE!

"Let men tremble to win the hand of woman, unless they win along with it the utmost passion of her heart!"

staff farewell banquet

Last night was the annual staff farewell banquet. After many many pictures, yummy food, a beautiful view, gifts and words of affirmation, there was a dance party. It was epic--complete with no lights, glow sticks, a strobe light, and loud music.

fUn in the sUn

Here are some fun pictures of recent happenings and memories in the making. Is the tree cool? It's looks like a giant pineapple!

killing the giants

The theme of this past week was "Killing the Giants." Students and staff were challenged to face fears--especially pertaining to evangelism. Thus, practically every night, there was some kind of outreach. It was very stretching and somewhat exhausting! I had some great conversations, though. Here's a little glimpse of one:

I talked to a Swedish girl, Krystal, who was full of questions and completely open to discussion. It was one of the best conversations I have ever had while sharing the Gospel. After an interesting survey, the girl I was sharing with walked Krystal through the Knowing God Personally (KGP) booklet. We spent lots of time on each of the four points discussing faith, sin, grace, etc. One of the things she said was, "I don't want someone else to have to pay my sin for me." I told her that Jesus Christ had already done that; she didn't have to accept it; she could pay for her own sin, but that wouldn't change the fact that Jesus died on the cross for her. When we came to the two circles under the fourth point, she knew she was the circle on the left, and living a life for self and not for Christ. When asked what circle she wanted to have represent her life she said she wanted to stay on the circle on the left, but would one day choose the circle on the right. My partner and I tried to explain the urgency of time and how people are not always given tomorrow. I asked her who was paying for the sins in the circle where self was in charge and Christ was on the outside. She answered correctly: "myself." I then asked her where, according to all that we had talked about, that person would spend eternity. Her response: "So, I'm going to hell." So many times during this conversation I thought she was going to indicate a decision to believe Jesus Christ, but she didn't. We left her with the KGP and when we walked by later she was reading through it again. It was a heartbreaking conversation--her eagerness, sweetness, and openness in asking questions, and then her satisfaction with going to hell.

That's just a little snapshot of the kind of conversations that have taken place this week. My friend and I were talking, and we have both noticed how we have been able to go through the KGP after the initial surveys so much more this summer than last summer. And there have already been numerous people who have given their life over to Christ. The stories are incredible! It's so exciting! Keep praying!

P.S. This picture is of two of my co-staffers in a spiritual conversation. They talked to this girl for probably an hour and a half. Can you tell which two are staff and which one is not? heehee! :)

WORLD CUP

There's something about the world cup that makes my blood pump through my veins at an accelerated pace! I LOVE IT! Words cannot describe my excitement! Soccer brings the world together! What's even better, is that I get to watch it on a big flatscreen TV in my condo on the San Diego Bay! I only wish I could be watching it with my brother. BUT, we text each other throughout the games with frequent updates and briefings! I bought a magazine so I could be well-informed on teams and players. I have been looking forward to the World Cup for months! Alas, it has arrived.

staff hunt

Students have been here an entire week tomorrow, but it feels like they've been here a month already! (In a good way!) The days have been fun, but long. It would take too long to fill you in on all the details of the week, so I'll just focus on one event. Last night was the traditional staff hunt. Staff were supposed to disguise themselves and blend into the San Diego crowd and students were put into groups to go find them. If the students thought they saw a staff member, they had to say, "Movin' my hips like yeah" and we had to respond, "Party Campus Crusade." (For those of you who do not know, this is a spoof off of one of Miley Cyrus' songs.) Some people's outfits were ridiculous! Several of the guys had been growing out hair and beards for the past year, just waiting for this night! They looked so different. My friend, Katelyn, and I, dressed up, and met up with one of my friends from high school (Clint) who is in the navy. He had a friend who lived right along the main street where we were supposed to "hide" and so we sat down in a stranger's courtyard and just hung out for 2 hours. It was great! Groups passed by, but never questioned us...except one, and it wasn't our fault. Some other staff had given us away. It was a fun time.

Busy Days...

It's about 10:00 PM here and I'm ready for bed! The days are so full and busy that I have been exhausted by 9:30-10:00 every night. Each day is different, yet contains some of the same elements. Some days I am in staff meetings all morning and into the early afternoon. As a team we worship together, study Luke, go through training prep for when the students arrive, work on various ministry teams. On days like today, we spend the whole day on a specific campus prayer-walking and initiating spiritual conversations with students. I went to Grossemont Community College today (about an hour and a half bus/train ride). My friend and I talked to a girl named Giselle for a good 40 minutes and were able to clearly present the gospel using the Knowing God Personally booklet. She was very open and receptive, although she did not indicate a decision for Christ.......yet!

One night, we went to a place called Mount Soledad (sp?). It's at one of the highest points in San Diego. Actually, I could be making that up, but it sounds about right! Anyway, we went up there and you can look over the entire San Diego area. We spent some time up there praying over the city and for the summer. The view is breathtaking!

Oh, and one of the pictures is from an afternoon of sharing the Gospel on the beach!