Hill Country Fall Retreat
I (Naomi) was blessed with the opportunity to coordinate prayer for the Bridges Hill Country Fall Retreat, an annual retreat for international students from Texas and Louisiana. I coordinated Zoom calls before and after the retreat as well as in-person prayer. One of the program directors said to me, “Thanks for organizing prayer. It made a difference having someone committed to leading it for us.”
It was a joy for me to not only lead the charge in prayer, but also to attend the retreat for a full day with Annalei and Miah. (Zack had to stay home with our sick Littles.) Annalei and Miah got to enjoy the zip line (pictured above) and go on a hike with international students.
Our big girls also joined Bridges staff for several prayer sessions. It was such a blessing to hear both my girls boldly interceding for internationals, and even have Annalei highlight it as her favorite memory of the retreat!
Miah’s favorite memory was a conversation that she had with Odinaka from Nigeria (pictured above). They met while going on a group hike and had a conversation that greatly encouraged both of them. Miah learned one of my favorite things about international student ministry: when you meet a fellow believer from anywhere in the world, your bond in Christ is greater than any ethnic, cultural, or national differences.
From Ukraine to Texas
My favorite memory of the retreat happened during the craft time. I met and had a wonderful conversation with Mariia, a student from Ukraine. She shared with me about her grandparents and her mom who are still in Ukraine, and how the war has affected them.
As we talked, I was able to tell Mariia about situations in my life where the Lord clearly showed His hand, and she was very attentive. Her heart was very open to hearing about Him, so I shared the gospel with her. Mariia comes from an agnostic background. She was amazingly receptive to all I shared. I offered to keep in touch with her over phone calls or zoom, and she texted, “Thank you so much for showing interest in helping me navigate in this. I am definitely interested in learning more and giving this a chance!”
One of the main ways that Bridges staff prayed was for the Lord to bring students with open hearts to the retreat. God was so kind to show me a direct answer to our prayers in Mariia! Another answer to prayer was shared by our Houston Staff. A student said, “I find my peace in being kind to people but I haven’t found my peace with Jesus yet. I want to try to do that.”
Cru High School
The charter school that all four of our kids attend does not have many Christians. It’s mostly secular students, but there are actually more Muslims than Christians who attend.
In order to encourage fellow believers, Annalei decided to start a Christian club on campus that would meet for prayer and Bible discussion. After meeting with a coach from Cru High School, she decided to have the club come under their organization.
Attendance has averaged about a dozen high school and middle school students, and all have been encouraged by the time! One Christian mom told me, “there has never been anything like this at [our school].”
HEALTH UPDATE
• Naomi just sprained ligaments on the top of her left foot. She is currently on crutches.
PRAISE REPORTS
• Zack’s brain fog has greatly improved
• God brought students with open hearts to the Hill Country Fall Retreat
• Annalei and Miah got to participate in prayer ministry
• Despite opposition, Annalei was able to start a Cru High School club
PRAYER REQUESTS
• Mariia and her American husband would both come to know the Lord soon
• Wisdom for Bridges staff as they follow up with students who attended the retreat
• Every student who attended the retreat would come to know the Lord, whether sooner or later
• Complete healing for Naomi (Epstein Barr and foot sprain)