CRUSH FEAR - May Newsletter 2013

 

“When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?”

Psalm 56:3-4

 

  CRUSH FEAR 2013

 

This year God presented us with a new challenge: to direct our first summer project! Though we faced many challenges leading up to Crush Fear (including whether or not to even do it) May 19^th arrived with 6 students at Cascade Lodge for 2 weeks of fear crushing adventures!! The students got to face physical challenges (like rappelling, rock climbing, backpacking, rafting, zip lining and others) along with personal and ministry challenges (confronting a store manager about inappropriate magazines, street evangelism, sharing their testimony in front of a church and on the radio and MANY more). Needless to say that when June 2^nd came for them to go home, they were EXHAUSTED (along with the staff)!!! Though we as staff learned so much from the experience, we thought we would let the students share what they got from the project.

“God [these] past 2 weeks has shown me that with him he makes me stronger physically, mentally and spiritually.”

“God has worked in me a lot during this and shown me things I didn’t realize I had trouble with before. I was also forced to step out of my comfort zone during a lot of the activities, which was really awesome and necessary. It’s been so fun and challenging and I hope we can do a Crush Fear 2 or something else that we can all get back together to crush some more fear!”

“This was such an incredible experience and I was blessed in so many ways by it. I feel like my walk has been strengthened and like I have grown a ton.”

“I feel more at peace with my life, and feel as though I can conquer any trial I face if I let Christ have the throne.”

“I’ve realized my value in Him exists because of His grace and not my actions. I am less afraid to pursue what He calls me to because I know I can trust Him.”

“Before coming to Crush Fear, I was continually doubting myself and running away from who God wanted me to be. By confronting my fears and weaknesses, I feel as though I am more willing to step out in faith and take action to be where God is leading me.”

“Going into town to share the gospel and telling cashiers Jesus loves them helped me conquer my fears in that there is no reason to be afraid to share your faith.”

“Before, I wasn’t sure who God has made me to be… He has revealed [who I am] to me and how I am called to share God with others and to be His faithful servant.”

We can’t help but thank God for all that He did these two weeks!!! He has been so faithful to show up when we needed, to provide the energy and strength to keep going, and to help each person walk away more confident and courageous to live the life that He has called them to. We’re excited to see what He will do next in each of their lives!! Thank you so much for praying for us, the rest of the staff, and the students. Please continue to pray that these students will live the rest of their lives dedicated to the Great Commission without fear holding them back!!!

 

Prayer Requests

 

-       Please pray for healing for Leah: This semester we discovered that I (Leah) have a large cyst on my left ovary and a couple smaller ones on my right – all of which are due to endometriosis. We decided to go ahead and get them surgically removed June 12^th. Pray that God would bring healing in His timing and way!

-       We desire to raise an additional $700 in monthly support – prayer for the funds to be met and the time to ask people to partner with us would be greatly appreciated.

-       Continue to pray for Fort Lewis College to be won for Christ, and the students to have a summer glorifying to Him  and encouraging to their spiritual growth.

-       We are SO SO SO thankful for each and every one of you!! Thank you for your faithfulness to pray, serve and give. Let us know how we can be praying for you as well!!

 

Crush Fear Staff 2013

Eating Crickets and Mealworms (Don't worry, they ARE FDA approved!)

White Water Rafting

Setting out on the 6 hrs + of hiking

Tired, but none the worse

24 hour solo

Evagelism downtown Durango

The Ladies

The men

Our fearless students (From left to right): Casey, Lori, Kensey, Alex, Rachael (also our intern) and Shawnee

Never Will I Leave You

Malcolm got to write the newsletter this time around (which he did a great job, I can't wait to post it)! We had a great time this last month and God has been showing us both a lot. I (Leah, if you couldn't guess) really wanted to share something that God showed me this past month.

When we were up in Denver, God really put on my heart to reach out to a couple friends of mine from childhood. They have both been on my "Most Wanted" list for a long time. When we were in middle school, I took both of them to Camp Id-Ra-Ha-Je west where one did pray to receive Christ (though I do remember she was very afraid of hell, so I'm not sure if it was actual surrender to Christ or not - I'm not judging her decision, but she definitely is not living for Christ needless to say). The other I remember loved her experience at camp, but not sure she really made any commitments to Jesus. Regardless, they both have been exposed to the Gospel, but neither are living for Christ. In fact, I have seen them both go through very hard things since leaving high school. I don't want to share their personal lives here.

Anyway, with one friend, it took almost all week just to set down a time to see her. She kept changing times, bailing on our set time, etc. It was becoming a little discouraging. But God kept encouraging my heart saying, "Keep pursuing her. Show her how I won't give up pursuing her." So I kept pressing! Finally, we set down to have dinner after her work. Malcolm and I went to her work, and asked if we were still on for dinner. "Oh, I have to go to Boulder for something tonight!" she replied. AH! All this work, and I got 15 minutes of chat time! I wanted so badly to share the Gospel with her, to remind her of how good God is and how much He loves her! But God (and Malcolm) reminded me as we drove away - HE is in control! It's not my job to change hearts. It's my job to be obedient. And that's what I did. Gosh, even now my heart hurts for this friend of mine! How badly she needs Christ's healing in her life! How much hope she could have!! 

God keeps reminding me of one thing she said to me as we were hugging, "You are such a light to my life." How good is God! I barely did anything, and yet I did exactly what God wanted me to do - be obedient - and He did all the rest of the work!

My other friend is at a whole different place than my other friend. We got a whole hour to catch up, but I also didn't get to share the Gospel with her. But while I used the restroom, Malcolm got to share his testimony with her! (May I just say, I love that man I married!) 

I really desired to open up these relationships again, and to show these ladies just how much I love them and care for them, and ultimately how much God loves them. Pray for them please! And pray that I can be more bold next time to share the Gospel - or really, just be faithful to be obedient to what God wants me to do. 

God has really put this on my heart to encourage anyone who is reading this that it is never too late to reach out to those around you! Whenever I think of these friends, He has brought these scriptures to mind:

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" Hebrews 13:5

"...if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself."

2 Timothy 2:13

God doesn't give up! God is relentless in His pursuit of people! We don't have to give up either. There are 2 times in which it's too late to keep reaching out to other people: if they die, or if you die. Sharing the Gospel with nonbelievers is one thing you can't do in heaven. Let's pray for each other in this!! Let's be persistent to show how persistent God is!!

October/November Newsletter

“So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:31-34

Homemade Cupcakes for Malcolm's 24th Birthday!!

Trust 

If there has been one thing that we all have to do, it is to trust God. We’re not called to do what feels right, or called to do a whole lot of things to put us right with God, or anything else. We are suppose to put our faith in God, which is trusting Him from the get go of our relationship with Him.

Then what is our deal then? I (Leah) don’t know about you, but God has been constantly showing me how little I trust Him. With all the traveling, calling, meeting with people, the partnering with people, and the lack of partnering with others, and overall wearing down of my defenses – I admit, I’m really seeing how God is showing me my weak areas of trust in Him. It’s easy to trust when He plops everything in your lap in or before your time frame. But where the rubber really hits the road is when thing you have to chose to trust Him with HIS timing.

The verse that keeps coming to my mind is Psalm 103:14, which says, “…for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.” God knows our beginnings. He knows our naturalness to do our own thing, go against His will, and do what we do best – sin.

In my quiet times, I’ve been looking up “mercy” in the Bible, which is the best reminder for me. He is extremely merciful – which I very much need!! God, thank you so much for your mercy! And thank you for pushing my limits… even if I may not enjoy it I’m glad for showing me my weaknesses. Because in my weakness YOU are stronger!!

Students playing Football in the snow at the retreat

 

Retreat

On November 4^th- 6^th we got to go to the second retreat of the year, which was a spectacular time to get away and interact with the students. I (Malcolm) love retreats because God is always doing cool things in people’s lives, including my own. At this same retreat 4 years ago, God turned my small world upside down with His love, grace and forgiveness.  That retreat will forever remind me of how great God really is.

  This last retreat God showed up in big ways! Three students gave talks about growing, intimacy, and talking to God. Each talk challenged students and staff alike. I walked away from the retreat knowing God is amazingly big. It was good to be flipped upside down again just like the retreat all those years ago. I can't thank and praise him enough for changing me all those years ago, and still changing me today.

That being said that was just what God is doing in my life, let alone the 40 or so other people that were there interacting with the God of the universe!

Jacob (student at FLC) climbing at Golf Wall

 

Love and Encouragement

Before we left for Paonia again, Connect started up Angels and Mortals again, which is known for being a fun and encouraging week for students and staff! We didn’t get to be a part of it this time around since we were leaving, but we got to see and hear some fun stories of the students blessing each other. Here is one story from a student:

“I had a kind of crummy afternoon, and was feeling super down after coming home from the store. I then walked into my room and found it completely decorated head to toe with pink streamers. I then looked at my desk and found it decorated as well with crazy straws and colorful puff. It completely changed my day around and made me thank God for my angel and blessing me when he knew I needed it. It made me smile from the inside out, and the glory goes back to him.”

Last of the fall colors in Durango

 

Prayer Requests

-       We are currently at 88.3% of our goal!! God is definitely showing up and coming through for our need – thank you for your prayers! We’re hoping to be on campus by the beginning of next semester, which is looking possible. So keep praying!!

-       Pray for the students to finish out the school year strong, and also that they will have good times at home over the holidays.  Sometimes students struggle going home because they aren’t in good fellowship and can easily be sucked into their old ways, but God is bigger than their circumstances!

-       Pray for the Denver Christmas Conference which is December 28^th- January 2^nd. The last couple years we’ve seen a TON of fruit from the students who attend, and we’re excited for another fun and challenging time!!

-       Pray for our marriage as we continue to learn to work as a team and follow God together.

 

Trust and Obey - August 2011 Newsletter

“Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.”

Verse from the hymn Trust and Obey

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” John 14:1

You know those times where you tell God, “Alright man, I have NO CLUE what to do but to trust you right now!” That’s where we’re at!

I (Leah) have been studying recently about the disciples in the early church. As we see time and time again, the disciples did miraculous things, spoke the boldest words even in the most dangerous of situations, and went the craziest of places. And all that they did had two key components.

The first component was the Holy Spirit. God, Himself, living in them, guiding and directing where they should go, what they should do, and what they should say. What encourages me about this is how the SAME Holy Spirit who lived in Paul, Peter, and Barnabus is living in ME – living in YOU as well! WE can do all that they did because of Him!!

The second component is faithfully walking in obedience. What if Peter decided to not go to the house of Cornelius because he didn’t quite like the Gentiles? What if Ananias was too afraid to meet with blinded Saul/Paul? What if the early church stopped sharing their faith once persecution hit? There is a good chance Christianity would’ve stopped if God’s people didn’t step out!

And this is what we’re realizing: God is ready to show up in big ways. For us, we know if we step out in faith – in the power of the Holy Spirit – and make phone calls and appointments to tell people about our ministry, that He will show up! And what we’re even more excited for is to step out in faith, walk on campus, and watch God show up bigger than He has before!

They’re Here!!!

Campus ministry is a fickle thing. One moment you are swamped with more people than you know what to do with, and the next you’re walking around wondering where all the people went.

This definitely described the first weekend of this school year.  We had a good turn out of last years student leaders show up to help  us meet as many new freshmen as possible. It was great to see them ready and willing to serve the Lord at FLC.

We started by helping the new students move all their stuff into their dorms, which went well until the football team crashed the party. So we moved on to doing spiritual interest surveys. 

This comprised of splitting up into pairs and asking a few short questions to see where the perspective student was spiritually and if they had a background in church or any other religion.  As a whole it was super fun! Sometimes there was so many students to talk to that it was overwhelming and other moments where we walked around wondering if this was a ghost town.

While doing the surveys we met two students who, through the course of the day, we saw at least three times. Each time we would stop and converse about how there day was going and invite them to the barbeque on Saturday. It was cool experience because in the course of 4 or 5 hours we had developed a small relationship with them!

That got me (Malcolm) thinking about how amazingly fun it will be to develop lasting relationships with these new students with Christ as our foundation! We can’t wait till we can be fun time working up on campus interacting and watching these students be changed by God!

Prayer Requests

  

Thank you for all your prayers!! We set out a month ago to raise an additional $2,500 a month. And we are currently at 43% of that goal – and, including the faithful finances from previous supporters, we’re at 64%!! We praise God for ALL of you and the role you play in God’s plan to provide for us.

-Pray for us as we continue to persevere through support raising. We spent a month in Craig, and now we will be in Durango for awhile. Pray we can make contacts and not get too distracted, because...

-THE STUDENTS ARE BACK!! Pray for them as they start classes, get settled, and make decisions that will set a tone for the rest of the year! Pray that those who need to be involved will, and that those who do not get involved will hear and respond to the Gospel!
 

-Pray for our marriage! We’re doing great, and we want to keep it that way. =)
 

-Pray for a couple Mormon women that came to our door the other day. Leah shared truth boldly (and lovingly) to them, and asks you to pray that God will lead them into HIS truth!!

 

Malcolm making phone calls to tell people about our ministry!

 

Around 110 people showed up to our beginning of the year BBQ!!

 

Our 1^st Connect was great! We had 100-125 students there. 15 said they trusted Christ, 3 wanted to talk more about Jesus, and 34 wanted to be in a Bible study!! Praise God for how He is working at FLC!!!

 

Excited to go be “fishers of men “ instead of fishermen!!