Merida = no dice, homeslice

So we were told a couple months ago that applicant numbers were way down this year for STINT, and at the time we weren't all that sure of how that would affect next year. After a long process of waiting, the news is finally official: the outcome of that shortage is there will not be a team next year here in Merida.

Please pray for two things:
1. Ministry: We shared the news with the students today, emphasizing that this is an opportunity to see God work and asked them to start praying about how God wants them to be seeking Him, and if and how he may be asking them to get more involved. We've been working on reshaping our servant team over the last month or so, and now that we know we won't be here, it allows us to be more intentional and specific in how we train the new leaders. Please pray for the whole process as the team will be gone at the end of July. Pray for God to bring the right people to the new servant team, and the hearts of all the students to be drawn closer to God in the change. Pray that they'd have a united vision of the ministry and not get caught in the loss of resources but rather focus on finding creative solutions.

2. Placement: As you may or may not know, I applied and was accepted to do another STINT year. Now that there's no team in Merida, I'm now in the process of trying to figure out where God's calling me. I pretty much have four options: Marcaibo, Venezuela; Valencia, Venezuela; Costa Rica; or Croatia. While I'm leaning more toward wanting to be back in Venezuela, I know from talking to our regional director that there is a felt need on both of the teams in Costa Rica and Croatia. Please pray for wisdom and clarity of calling, that God would make the "calling and election secure" (2 Peter 1:10)

p.s. I know the title of the post is odd, and maybe even flippant. I just liked how it sounded. Thank you again for your prayers, even if I am a bit of an oddball.

The end is in sight

So looking at the last post, we found an apartment through our exchange contact, moved, and I think I even caught up a little on the finances. There's always more to do in that arena, but God's been pretty gracious to pick up the slack on little oversights that I make.

I mentioned motivation in the last post as well, and I feel like it has improved a little. Coming off of a visa renewal trip and realizing the end of my year here is quickly approaching has helped me realize I have some things I'd still like to see happen before the year ends.

Here are the four:
1. Servant team- that the reorganization that is in process would result in a team that can more easily, specifically, passionately, and cohesively plan events and shape the direction of the ministry for the future.
2. Men's retreat- that we would be able to find a good date and venue, as well as that God would provide the ideas etc needed for a good program
3. Discipleship- that I'd have the initiative to seek out key students and meet with them to share resources to aid their growth so that they can in turn pass on the resources to other students after them
4. Apologetics study- I'd love to see a study happen on the technical campus that addresses apologetic questions. Pray that I'd know how to structure that well and involve others that are interested, both as potential leaders and participants.

We also have a major outreach planned for this Thursday and Friday in which several churches and ministries are partnering together to reach the university. I'll be giving a talk/lecture as part of that on Friday morning, and I'd greatly appreciate your prayers for preparation, content, and delivery. Please also pray that it doesn't rain here in Merida on Friday (we have the closing event in an outdoor amphitheater), and that students would be reached and receptive.