3,000 brochures and a can of enchilada sauce....

In the office today we sat and folded 3,000 brochures for Chi Alpha. There are 3,000 freshmen that will start at ULL next Monday and so we're mailing out a letter and Chi Alpha brochure to each of them. Last week we mailed out fliers to each of them about our huge back to school Burger Bash that we're having next week. This letter and brochure we'll mail out this week just gives them info about Chi Alpha and the regular events that we host. (the can of enchilada sauce is what I used to crease the brochures so that they would stay folded over)



Last night we hosted an International Student Reception here at the Chi Alpha house. Yesterday there were about 60 brand new International students who checked in and will be attending ULL this fall. Last night we had a dinner and just time of hanging out at the house for all the new international students that wanted to come. We had about 15 who showed up. It was awesome! We grilled burgers, hung out, and built some great friendships. Already today I've seen one of the guys from France at the Chi Alpha Cafe and I know one of our students hung out with one of the girls from Korea. It's so awesome to watch international students get plugged in. It's such an amazing opportunity to reach the nations by simply reaching our campus. It's one of the many reasons that we see the campus as such a strategic mission field.

This week is our last week before ULL classes start. It seems like this would be a lull before the storm kind of week, but instead it's just part of the storm that is start up time on campus. Yesterday we worked from 9:00am until about 10:00pm last night. I did get about a 45 min or hour break somewhere in there, but not much at all. Today is a bit lighter and will most likely be the last day like this for some time. I actually got out of the office at 4:00 when all the brochures were done. The question is now, do I make great use of my time and start reading our next book that is due or do I go eat sushi with my house mates tonight? Honestly I'm leaning towards spending the evening with my book because time is going to be scarce for the next few weeks and I have to keep up with my study load as well.

Ya know all this seems like a lot. And it is. But the beauty of it all is that I don't mind because I know why I'm doing it. I know we folded 3,000 brochures today and will fold 3,000 letters tomorrow. We will then stuff those 3,000 letters into 3,000 envelopes and put an address label on all 3,000 envelopes and then seal them shut. Why? Because there are 3,000 students about to set foot on this campus and they need to know Jesus, have a solid relationship with Him, be plugged into a campus ministry, and leave this campus in four years as strong and solid Christians ready to tackle the market place and change the world.

We work twelve hour days because there are 60 new international students that are here for a brief moment and we have the opportunity to share the Gospel with them so that they can take it back to their families and countries. And we study and read and read and study so that we're better prepared and equipped for this whole thing.

This year is promising to be harder than my past 2.5 years in campus ministry, but I am ridiculously excited about it. I'm excited about the opportunity to change the world and be changed in the process. I'm excited to impact the lives of college students and see them deepen their relationship with Jesus. And I'm excited to deepen my own relationship with Him. It's gonna be hard, but it's gonna be worth more than I can ever imagine. I'm excited!!!! Until then ......