I hadn’t really thought of this until recently, but Hannah and I have never been on a missions trip together. She has been on several trips in the US and I spent two weeks in Thailand while we were in college. So, we are very excited that we will both be going to Yucatan, Mexico with a group of students from American University next semester over spring break! We will be partnering with DiscipleMexico.org in assisting and empowering local churches reach out to their community through various construction projects and by putting on services where we will share our testimonies and creatively share the Gospel in Spanish. About that…Neither of us are fluent, but we are brushing up on our vocab and will be working with people that can translate.

One thing that Hannah and I both love about Chi Alpha is that global missions is a part of the core DNA of this ministry. By encouraging students to pray, give and go – they become equipped to reach beyond their local college campus and around the world.

So, we are asking you to consider giving a special gift that would go towards our mission trips. The combined cost for both of us is $2,600 and one of the most expensive parts of the trip is the airline tickets, which will need to be purchased in the next several weeks. We decided to put all the money we received from family and supporters for Christmas towards our missions trips but we still need to raise $2,120. Will you partner with us?

All donations are tax-deductible and you can give online, which will allow your donation to be processed quickly so that you will receive credit for this tax year. If you would rather write a check, follow the instructions on our support page and indicate that it is for our mission trip (please note that this method may not get your deduction processed before the deadline for year-end donations).

I cannot believe that our first semester with Chi Alpha Campus Ministries at American University is under our belt! One on hand, it feels like we have lived here for years and on the other, it feels like we moved here just the other day. This has truly been a great season filled with new friends, incredible ministry and tons of memories. To each of you that prays for us and supports us financially, thank you for being the reason we can answer God’s call to reach the nations via the university campus! Abby, one of the students getting ready to study abroad next semester, created a recap video of this semester and I thought it would be great to share it!

A good friend of mine, Natacha Barghout (facebook | blog), challenged me to write a manifesto on leading a small group. Well, it is not as glorious or affirming as it sounds. But hey…

She actually overheard some of us at #XABR11 talking about a different writing project and assumed it was about small groups. But then she was like, maybe you should do it after all.

So, I thought I would meet her half-way, this is by no means a manifesto but just a few things I have observed and learned while being involved in as well as leading a handful of groups. I hope this post helps you in one way or another!

But guess what? I don’t want to be the only one talking here. Drop a comment with a few tips whether it is things you did that rocked or things you did that were horrible (hey, we have all been there!). Let’s make this a ‘virtual learning party’, if you will.

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We are taking a break from our usually scheduled programming (Monday Morning Run-Down) but it will be back next week!

I just got back last night from Virginia Beach where over 75 college students gathered in community for a time of prayer, worship, learning and connection. Of course, I can’t sum all of this up in one blog post but here is a sampling of some of my favorite moments I want to remember…

Highlights

Getting to know people. I had the chance to drive a vehicle (it was nicknamed the “Tour Bus”) filled with AU students, some of whom I had only talked to briefly at our weekly gatherings. It was great to hear people’s stories, be a part of a life-changing weekend and  find out what type of music they enjoyed singing (a lot of our students like K-pop for some reason, but I can get used to it!). I enjoyed practicing my spanish with Rosa and it was great spending some quality time with Justin (aka The Prez) as well as getting to know the guys from the other small group.

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