Ethan + Laura

I had the pleasure of getting a tour of the University of Minnesota campus yesterday by a Graduate Student from our Church. Walking around campus was a experience. We walked by dorms, classroom, the student union and saw so many students out and about. It is still shocking to me how large the campus is here. I went to SUNY Brockport in NY which had about 8,000 students. The U of MN has over 64,000! It is mind boggling.

This tour was extra motivation for me and tests my patience a little as I can not wait to get on campus and start meeting and building relationships with students.

In the past 2 weeks we have had 4 new supporters! We praise God for them. This coming weekend (the 4th) Laura’s sister and cousin are driving out to spend time with us! It will be a great way to enjoy the Holiday.

Our time in Arizona with all the Campus Ambassadors staff from across the US and Mexico was a great blessing. !st day was a support raising training aimed at all of the new interns we have. I spoke a lil bit on this talking about phone calls and face to face appointments. We have gained 14 new staff this past year, most new student interns.
The rest of the forum was spent talking about the roots of our Ministry. We brainstormed about our four disinctices. Lordship evangelism, Biblical Righteousness, servant leadership and Church partnerships.

We woke up at 4:30 this morning so that we could drive to the airport in order to pick up Ralph and Mary (who share their home with us).  They flew all night from visiting family in Alaska.

Today I am writing notes to a few people back in NY, working on the finishing touches of our new newsletter and calling more churches in the area and letting them know of the Ministry we will be starting @ the U of M.  Another day of Sun and 100% blue skies here in Minneapolis.  We have not had rain in a while, the plants are in desperate need of it.

We are enjoying Minneapolis.  This past weekend we had a picnic right on the Mississippi River in downtown.   We are really enjoying our church, sundays, as well as our small group bible study on Wed nights.  This isn’t home yet, but we are getting closer.   I will be picking Laura up from work tonight at 6 and then driving to meet with a small group by 6:30.  Should be a good time, pray for us.

My schedule is getting busy!  The past few weeks have been going well as I have been meeting with small groups and individuals.   Praise God as the church guild has agreed to pay for a few things that we will be needing in the future for the ministry;  A projector and a printer.

I am starting to find and contact those who are interested to hear more about the ministry.   This Sunday we will be hosting the monthly young adult dinner through First Baptist Church.  Ralph and Marry (the couple who have taken us in for the time being) usually host this dinner at their house, but are currently visiting family in Alaska, so I will be cooking for this event with the help of a few others in the church.   We are starting to feel a little more at home at here as we are getting to know more and more people.

I have a todolist that I make each day for things to do, people to contact, people to pray for, things to read etc.  Each day and week my list gets longer.  I count this as a praise.  I have three presentations to give about the ministry this week and another three or four for the week after.  I am meeting with my support coach today to go over things.

Laura started working at a new Dicks sporting goods today.  We will let you know how that is going soon.

God has been working!   Over the past month I have been connecting with and getting to know more and more people out here.  This is opening doors  for creating the support team that we need to have behind the ministry at the U of M campus.  I have been busy; making phone calls, meeting with individuals and small groups, praying, writing letters, scheduling apointments and etc.  I spoke at a small group bible study yesterday.  I have 10 more apoinments set up for May so far.  We mailed out a new newsletter yesterday to over 140 people.  Praise God for what he is just starting to do here in Minnesota!

We met with another couple from our church last night to talk about the ministry that we will be starting.  We enjoyed getting to know them better as well as their hospitality towards us.  Praise God, they have come along side and partnered with us to reach young adults at the University of Minnesota for Jesus Christ.  Things for me for networking and support raising are starting to come along.  I have a few more appointments already scheduled for next month and more to come shortly.  We thank everyone for all of your continued prayers!

Ethan + Laura