"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Matthew 5:14-16
This summer 16 interns arrived in State College to be a light on the Penn State Campus to the many students attending Summer Sessions. It was such a joy to see how they were able to share the gospel to many of the freshman students - 6 of whom understood the gospel for the first time and became Christians! Not only was God at work in the students the interns reached out to, but He continued to grow the hearts of the interns themselves. In my past newsletters, I shared about Pauline and Emily - here's an update on what they learned this summer!
Intern Update
What did you do during your internship?
Pauline: I was taught how to process donations, pay bills, and serve our donors. Towards the end, I also had the opportunity to experience DiscipleMakers's "audit" (which is basically a "health inspection" in the finance/accounting world) and to present research on a new finance software that could improve our current systems.
Emily: I focused most of my time on meeting with students on campus, leading bible studies, and organizing/planning events to invite people into the DiscipleMakers community. For the large group meetings on Friday nights, I created the announcement slides and handouts, I sang on the worship team, and I shared my testimony on the fourth Friday of outreach.
How has the Lord challenged you or grown you this summer?
Pauline: One way I have grown this summer is by understanding God's mission, which cannot move forward with only faith alone or works alone. Both trusting in the Lord and being diligent in labor are crucial to carrying out God's mission. I have grown in learning how to apply both as I minister and step out into the harvest!
Throughout the summer I was challenged to figure out whether finance and ministry would be a good fit for me as a career. Did I want to enter the workforce in Finance? Was that for me? What does it look like to use my Finance major to do ministry? Was that a fit? I'm still wrestling through this, but I know that as I am obedient to the Lord, my path will be made clear.
It was also sweet to deepen my desire for the Scriptures. Through our weekly Bible Study training with Peter Krol, President of DiscipleMakers, I truly saw the authority that the Bible has over my life. I want to continue honoring the Lord by being obedient to his commandments that I might draw closer to Him.
Emily: One of the greatest challenges for me this summer was writing my testimony. I thought that I didn't have one. I accepted Christ before I can remember, and I don't have a story of radical transformation. I thought that my story was insignificant, that it wasn't worthy of being heard. But I was wrong. God is the author of my story, and God calls it significant--my doubt won't change His mind.
After I shared my story and the large group meeting came to a close, we all went to get ice cream. Part of me wanted to talk with a fellow intern beside me, but I was compelled to talk to two students sitting across the way. I asked them if anything stuck out to them about my testimony, and they shared with me that God wasn't the priority of their lives. They had put school first as I had, and they wanted to change. Praise the Lord! God knew what they needed to hear - to pull closer to Him - and God knew what I needed to hear - to remember who was the true author of my story and my life. The two students exchanged numbers, and I am confident that as they grow in friendship, they will each pull closer to the Lord.
What was a funny story/best part of the internship?
Pauline: The best part of the internship was seeing how the behind the scenes work in the Headquarters can further God's kingdom just as much as being on campus. I enjoyed spending time with various DiscipleMakers staff, who gave me great counsel as I wrestled with where the Lord might be calling me after graduation. I also formed great friendships with the other interns, which gave me a great vision for co-laboring for God's Kingdom.
Emily: Towards the beginning of the internship, the interns and a few staff members planned a surprise party for my birthday. That day when I came home from church, I went to my room with no knowledge whatsoever of the imminent gathering. My friends all began to come into the apartment directly below mine with the food, cake, etc. Everything was going according to plan. However, after being at church that morning, my heart was overflowing with so much joy and awe of the Lord's creation that I wanted to go outside to dance for the Lord. So I began skipping to the door and everyone froze in panic thinking I was going to ruin the surprise, one friend asking if she could come. Confused and slightly suspicious, I agreed and walked down the stairs with her, stepped outside, and watched as four shocked interns turn around and walk away, crockpot in hand. I knew something was up, but after spending some time worshiping the Lord in dance, I headed back to the apartment and was totally surprised by the party that had been planned! The rest of the evening was wonderful, filled with worship, friends, and food. Even with the crockpot incident, it was hands down the best birthday I've ever had.
Personal Update
I've moved! Last week I moved into my first apartment with two friends and co-laborers with DiscipleMakers. Being only a 10 minute walk to campus, I am eager to use this place the Lord has provided to minister to students on campus.
My new address:
116 Edith St. Apt 11
State College, PA 16803
Prayers & Praises
Praise God for the 6 students who have come to Christ this summer! Praise God for the work the interns have done this summer on Penn State's campus and in the hearts of the interns.
Pray for Pauline, Emily, and the rest of the interns as they head back to college this fall that they would use what they've learned to share the gospel more effectively and continue pursuing Christ.
Pray that the Lord would provide all I need this Fall - for wisdom and discernment to use my time well (both in the Headquarters and on campus), for energy to do my work well and care for others, and for provision for a new car.
I'm very thankful for you, dear friends, as it is only through your support -- both through prayer and financial giving -- that makes this ministry possible!
I pray for each of you, and I'm grateful for your continued partnership in my ministry. Please let me know how I can specifically be praying for you, by replying to this email!
