So I'm back in Las Cruces and have started working with Cru part time. I did not hit my goal for the full time position in time. But I have enough to jump on board as part time. So thanks everyone who helped support me. Its been a real blessing.
Since I've been back I have been in a ton of meetings. Been planning the weekly meeting for Cru, and the High Country Adventure trip we have each fall semester. We also have started a freshmen only group called Fresh. This group is a very social group where we have free food parties, games, trips ect... And will be getting them plugged into Cru as well. The freshmen class this year is the biggest one NMSU has ever seen. So please pray that we have a good positive influence for these freshmen by letting Christ shine more than us. 80% of the habbits college students fall into start thier freshmen year. So we desperatly want them to get into the habbit of serving Christ. Get them in a habbit and hunger of uncovering our Lord and Savior.
Cru had a few tables set up this week that had info on Cru and we were passing out Cru discount cards we put together as well. The tabling was a huge success. Talked to hundreds of students and passed out hundreds of Cru cards. I hope the word spreads and we see those students coming to Cru. I've been tabling so much that i have a very crazy flip flop tan and my exposed skin got a few shades darker this week, and its been in the upper 90s and lower 100s this week. But it was all worth it.
A story I thought I'd share.
After our first Cru meeting this last thursday, we went to Village Inn to hang out and socialize. I was running late because I had to load all the Cru equipment and drop it off where we store it each week. So as I was pulling into the parking lot I saw three of my friends from Cru talking to a man I've never seen before. So I parked and walked over to see whats up. The man was named Martin, and he was from Denver. He had a lot of trouble in Denver and met a women who gave him $100 to travel to Las Cruces, NM to get into an amazing ministry here. So we quickly found out he was a follower of Christ. He also said once he got to Las Cruces, he coulden't find that ministry he was looking for, and that lady didn't actually have one for him. And she just left him to fend for himself once he was here in Las Cruces. So Martin is now in a city he has never been to before and knows no one and has no place to go. But he had Christ. He met someone that was kind enough to let him stay at his place, and he found another kind soul that gave him a bike. And then he found us in a Village Inn parking lot, a group of three that turned into four.... than five... then six... So six of us heard his story, bought him groceries and prayed for him and he prayed for all of us. Running into Martin was kind of a reality check for me. Here I am with a house, a degree, good health, a job, and great friends and family and there are others less blessed out there... a lot of others. Running into Martin reminded me of that. I am blessed with so much, and I know I'm blessed with it all from Christ himself. But did he bless me so I can stay comfy and cozey? No, I'm blessed with more than I need so I may help those who are in need. After helping Martin and giving him my time and some groceries, guess what? I still have a lot I'm blessed with. This little encounter helped remind me of a lot. It was very humbling. Helping Martin was a small feat for us, yet made a huge inpact on his life. So much so, that Martin was in tears when we helped him. Every time he thanked us (Which was a lot) he would tear up. Helping people as Christ helped people doesnt actually take much out of you. So why arent we helping more?.... Thats a question I"ve always have been asking myself. And its a question Christ has been helping me with. And the greatest thing I've learned that helps me help others, is love. I know it sounds cliche but its true. Its not a love like you have for a friend or family. Its a super natural love that I know can only come from Christ. A love that equips you to love your enemies, love total strangers, like Martin.... So this little random meeting with Martin didnt just inpact him... It inpacted all 6 of use that were with him. We saw Christs love at work right before our eyes and it was one of the most beautiful things that I've ever seen.
Stroy number two:
I dont know if you guys know the Peltons but they are part of the Cru staff here at NMSU. Brandon, Mandy, Caleb and Jude Pelton. Thier newest edition to the family is Jude. Cute little guy. But Jude isnt your typical baby. He was brought into this world about a week ago. His story is very intense and still ongoing. I ask all of you to check out Mandys blog: Mandypelton.blogspot.com if you want to hear the whole story. Jude has down syndrom and had to get sergury on his brain, he has blood pockets in his brain, and he has a heart defect. He was born with a very low platelet count so they could do surgery right away but they needed to. So he got a blood tranfusion and that was a tough ordeal but he made it through and then he got his first brain sergury, again that was very rough but again he made it through..... I just told you a quick snapshot on whats going on but i ask you to please read Mandy's blog so you can pray and hear from someone who is there every step of the way.... I cant even imagin what the Peltons are going through. Even when I try I break down in tears, so I know the Peltons are really filled with all sorts of crazy emotions through this intense ordeal. But every time I read her blog, I see Christ right there with them. No matter what happens they have Joy. It clear proof that Joy runs deeper than pain and sarrow... I am humbled evertime I read her blog. I pray evertime I read her blog. I feel a bit more of Christ every time I read her blog.... Some people ask, Why is this happening? Why is Christ doing this? ... I don't know why Christ is doing this but I do know a little of what he has done through Jude. Jude isn't even a week old and he has brought people together in prayer, has humbled many people and alowed Christ to reveal himself in a very vivid way. I've prayed more this week than I have in a long time because of what Jude is going through. I've seen groups of people stop in thier bussiness to talk to Christ because of Jude's situation.... So even from a new born Christ is moving.... Every time I think on this I cry. No matter what, Christ moves. There is an emense amout of joy and love that pours from Christ. And no matter how bad things get, Christ always covers it with love and joy. It really does run deeper than anything I've ever witnessed before.
