Day 1 Oct. 7 (drafted Oct.8)
Total: $44,000
It was not so much about the shack itself, sitting outside with people, and even the heavy rain from the morning. It was about two comments made. Both were from students passing by and most likely the result of intoxication and a loose tongue. Nevertheless, they were indicators of an unfiltered heart.
The first was from a student who strutted by the Wesley Foundation and our display and yelled out “F’n Jesus is not real”. In a similar tone was another student who shouted, “Praise, Allah”. Trust me, there was nothing Muslim about him. Certainly, these were comments directed at the Wesley Foundation ministry, I just happened to be upfront at the time.
I reflected upon Jesus’ words of “blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake.” (Matthew 5.) I believe the college campus, for all its fun, higher education and learning, is also one of the most dangerous places for a young adult. As much as my faith was eventually strengthened in college, it was not without great temptation and experiencing an overt disdain for faith in Jesus.
Most of our work and even the shack fundraiser focus on the families with whom we serve. However, there is also a parallel story. ARM is run by young adults forming the main base of our volunteer networks. We desire to be a light and outreach on the college campus, a resource for college ministries and churches with college student outreach, as a part of the discipling process to one of the most hostile Christian environments in the US. Investing in college students is a ministry unto itself!
Thank you for loving our families needing repair. Thank you for helping pass the torch of leadership to this next wave of young servant leaders. If church attendance is now below 50%, where do you think the Church must prioritize? If we want to see more fruit to the least of these, we have to build up the labor force!
Extend love, build more,
Lisa
P.S. Remember you can pick a slot to pray while we are in the shacks and check out the activities you can do with children and students to get them talking about home repair and serving.
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