SOME ENCOURAGING THINGS

▪ Speaking in chapel tomorrow: Tomorrow, Jan 26, Rich Johnson and I will be speaking in chapel at Kentucky Christian University. We will be challenging the students to avoid common mindsets that can derail healthy ethnic relations on college campuses.

▪ Student Congress on Racial Reconciliation on Feb 24-25: We've been invited to facilitate four workshops at this conference at Biola University. It is a great opportunity to encourage and build relationships with campus leaders on the West Coast (and see my brother Shawn's family who live in that area).

▪ Trainings at Cedarville Univ: In December we had the privilege of leading a 2.5 hour training session with all forty of the Student Life Staff at Cedarville Univ. We were really encouraged by their receptivity and the feedback we received. After the program we were asked to consider leading a training program in May for the forty members of the President's Cabinet and the Academic Leadership Team. We gladly accepted! We're still working out the details but it will most likely be May 10-11 and we will be inviting leaders from other Christian colleges around the country to join us for that. It is an amazing opportunity!

▪ Growing partnerships with other campuses: We've heard from over a dozen campuses that are interested in using the e-learning sessions we are developing specifically for Christian college students and faculty.  Please pray for us to be able to finish the first session by this spring--we still have a long way to go and it is difficult to fit the work in with the traveling and speaking we've been doing.

SOME CHALLENGING THINGS

I shared these in our last update, but they continue to be true...

▪ Financial shortfalls: Update... Our end-of-year giving was enough to cover our shortfall for several months. Thank you! Please pray with us for wisdom as we pursue additional support to sustain us through the summer and fall, long-term sustainability, and additional financial supporters.

▪ Administrative overload: Increased opportunities to speak, train, and use our e-learning sessions are exciting... but they also result in additional administrative paperwork and time.  We can't afford to hire a full-time administrator/accountant at this time so those responsibilities are also on my plate (ouch). It is becoming increasingly difficult for me to wear all of the hats necessary to keep ReNew rolling and do our ministry.  Please pray for wisdom as we try to find a solution.

FAMILY UPDATES

Life continues to be rocking around our house as you can see in this picture of the girls (and Grandma) playing with the mics they received for Christmas. (I'm still not entirely convinced Laurie bought those for the GIRLS.)

Laurie's aerobics classes are starting to pick up momentum--she now leads two classes of about 5 people each in a local church. Aliya is enjoying playing Upward bball and is developing a nice jump shot. Anya is our fashionista. She hopes to start piano lessons soon. Milena is good for a hundred smiles and laughs everyday.

Thank you so much for your prayer, support, and interest in our ministry! It is a joy to serve in partnership with you.