Archive for April, 2011

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Some Last Thoughts

Megan Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

Next weeks marks finals week, and the last week of my freshmen year of college. The days keep going by faster and as much as I am excited for what next year and my entire future will look like, I find myself wishing time would somehow go by slower.

So here marks my freshmen year in a nutshell:

So excited to be moving into my new home!

Move-In day almost felt like it was straight out of a Hilary Duff movie (and I love Hilary Duff movies). Absolute madness, but one of the best days of my life. My stuff was moved in in no time and meeting my roommate was priceless.

Alpha Group 35!

My Alpha Group I met shortly after moving in and I had absolutely no idea what an alpha group even was. Come to find out, APU definitely prides itself on the whole Alpha experience, with a very good reason to. In the beginning, being with a group of 8 strangers was awkward (predictably), but by the end of Alpha I found myself wishing it would never end. Now I am going to be an Alpha Leader myself next year and could not be any more excited about it! It is one of the many ways that they help you transition easily to college life and meet new people you might not ordinarily meet.

Such a fun All-Access weekend!

Being an ambassador this year was the first commitment I made when I arrived at APU. It gave me the opportunity to host prospective students multiple times per year and be a part of All-Access weekends. It was such a blessing being able to see people fall in love with APU as I have. I cannot explain how many smiles and laughs I had during those weekends.

Young Life leaders!

Being a part of Young Life first semester was an experience I will never forget. I made priceless friendships and was able to serve God in the most amazing way. It was a new opportunity for me to put myself out there and love on high schoolers that were open to the Gospel.

Then, as God led me to no longer be a part of Young Life He led me toward being a part of the Office of World Mission’s Focus International mission teams. I found out at the beginning of second semester I would be going to Tanzania. I cannot explain how much God has been real to me through being able to be a part of this mission team. It has been without a doubt, one of the biggest blessings of being here at APU and I haven’t even left for the trip yet (it is in three weeks, crazy!). I never in a million years thought I would ever be going to Africa, it was never in my plan. But I realized that almost everything I have been changed by at APU was not originally in my plan. God’s plan is so much greater.

My hall in Trinity, Fourth South has been a huge part of my experience at APU as well. I have made so many life-long friends and I have learned so much by being able to live on my own and be a part of such a great community.

Spontaneous trip to The Hat with 4th South girls!

Last, but definitely not least, the courses that I have taken at APU so far have honestly changed my perspective on education altogether. I have had professors that changed my life because they changed my perspective on things in ways I never knew possible. Also, being a graphic design major, I am finally able to take design and art classes and it has been so much fun! I cannot explain how great it feels to finally be able to be educated in what I love. Also, words cannot do justice for how great of a blessing it is being educated by Christian professors. Each class (yes, even p.e., math, english, etc.) works faith and Christianity into its curriculum, which is amazing.

I think that everyone that knows me would know how much I would attest to APU being the greatest decision I have ever made. This year has been a crazy whirlwind of a year, but I have grown so much as a person and as a follower of Christ that I wouldn’t change it for the world.

If I were to give advice to incoming students at APU it would be to put yourself out there and do things that you never planned on doing. Enjoy living in the dorm while it lasts, because if you make the most of that experience, it will be one of the best experiences of your life. Don’t stress out, be excited for this year to come. And whatever you do, during the school year even though school can be stressful and overwhelming don’t let it get you to the point where you stop enjoying being here. Going to college is not forced, it is a privilege. Be excited, because a year from now, your life will be so different! The way that the community works here, and the way that God is present here, is enough to change your life alone.

Lastly, I want to say THANK YOU to all my readers for taking the time to keep updated on my experience here at APU! I appreciate it more then you’ll ever know!! If you have any questions feel free to comment and I would love to answer you! God bless.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” -Romans 8:28

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God’s Love in Langa

Renna Nightingale Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

Today included a visit to a township called Langa. It was named for the chief, Langa Libalele. Although it is mostly a Xhosa township, “Langa Libalele” means the same in Xhosa as it does in Zulu. Translated, it the township’s name means “the sun, it is hot.” I was so excited to know the true name of the township! All my hardcore Zulu studying this semester definitely paid off.

I was super surprised at the level of development in Langa. It seems to have evolved into a tourist attraction. Our tour guide commented that the residents like it when tourists come. I assume that is because tourists generate revenue and excitement in the township.

I was also shocked at the contrast between the homes. In one section of Langa, there were exceedingly nice homes. They looked like they could have belonged in a rich suburban area in Los Angeles. But then, across the street, there would be crumbling shack composed of assorted trash. The polarity between the disparity verses the wealth was alarming!!!

My favorite aspects of Langa were it’s art programs! They have a dance studio, a stage for theatre, music programs, a picture framing school, a fashion store, a recording studio and a radio station! The township’s goal in these programs is to educate youth and grant skills to adults so that they may have a better life, as well as attempt to provide AIDS prevention. At the radio station, they talk about difficult issues such as the effects of HIV and AIDS. These programs allow the kids to express themselves in creative ways, as well as allow them to dream for their futures.

I am so passionate about arts programs! I believe they have the most significant impact upon youth. If I was given the choice of something to do to benefit a township, I would have dreamed of beginning a program exactly like this. I hope that it can continue and flourish!

I got to play the djembe today! It’s an awesome African drum. I have found my calling.

My absolute favorite part about walking around Langa today: I was sauntering with my friend Kelly. And all of a sudden, this beautiful little girl runs up to us, and slips her tiny hands in ours, and continues with us on our journey! It was the most precious thing of my entire life! And in that moment, I felt perfect love. I loved her. I had only known her for 30 seconds, but already, she had stolen my heart, because she loved me. To think. I traveled all the way around the world to search for more about God’s love, and I found it in a four year old child.

Amen.

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Homesick For a Place I’ve Never Been

Renna Nightingale Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

Wisdom from my dear friend, Francesca: “Listen up to what God has to say. He tends to be the loudest when we’re the loneliest.”

The South Africa semester has recently journeyed from Pietermaritzburg to the beautiful Cape Town. We have about two weeks left in Africa.

I’ve been feeling lonely recently. And when I feel lonely in a foreign country, such as South Africa, I often feel the need to talk to my best friend, who happens to be my mother. It’s been weeks since I last spoke with her.

The internet here is not exactly reliable… therefore, I haven’t even been able to email my mom and let her know how she can pray for me, which is somewhat discouraging, and rather frustrating.

And I was crying out to God.

“DADDY! WHY will you not let me talk to my mom?! It’s been forever! And I need her!!!”

(Don’t read this next part, Mom.)

And God said, “Ren. I am all you need. You are whole in me.”

I processed this.

“Yeah. God, you are so RIGHT!” Because, let’s face it. Mom can’t be with me now, thanks to stinky internet and, oh yeah, THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS of miles and oceans and all that jazz.

But God CAN be with me.

And He IS.

When this epiphany sunk in, and I relinquished any intention of skyping the madre, GUESS WHAT.

I got to talk to my mom.

God, now you’re just showing off!

Alas, when the internet worked well enough to carry on a conversation, we had to leave OF COURSE. But it was ok. I caught Mom up and let her know there was air in my lungs. Therefore, all is right in the world.

So, because my roommate Debs is legitimately AMAZING, of course we had a life changing conversation on the way home.

We were talking about being homesick. (A common topic these days.) Debs commented, “I’m already homesick for Pietermaritzburg. And when I get home, I know I’ll be homesick for Cape Town. So I know that I’ll always be homesick for somewhere else. Because even now, I’m homesick for a place I’ve never been.”

She had puzzled me on that last one. “What do you mean?”

“I’m homesick to be with God in Heaven.”

This goofy, GINORMOUS smile crept on my face and WOULD NOT GO AWAY!!! It was great. Debs couldn’t stop laughing at my goofy smile and I couldn’t stop smiling goofily. We were obviously meant to be roommates.

When I finally gained control of my face, Debs asked, “Have you been reflecting on your time recently?”

“Absolutely! I feel like I almost reflect too much. At the beginning of the semester, I felt like I learned lessons EVERY DAY. Which was awesome. But right now, I feel like I’m on the brink of this HUGE lesson that’s taken a while to be taught to me. But I can’t quite decide what it is.”

After dinner, I decided what that lesson was.

Here it is:

God is teaching me to place EVERYTHING in Him. Seriously, EVERYTHING: my confidence, my worth, love, belonging, trust, hope, dreams, desires, fun, attitude, and HOME.

I realized today that if I was somehow able to make God my home, that would pretty much fix ALL my life’s problems.

Where do you feel most comfortable? Where are you always loved? Where do you always feel safe? Where do you want to go when you hurt? Where do you store your treasures? Where are the ones that will always love you, through thick and thin, pain and joy?

Home.

God is our home. I don’t have to try to BE anyone else when I am with Him! I am enough for Him, JUST as I am! But I’m not JUST me. Because, really? It’s FOUR for the price of one:

Me, God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

They live in me.

So, I’m never alone. And I can’t place worth in JUST myself, because that would be like ignoring ¾ of me!

Basically, I’m never alone, I don’t have to fight for acceptance, I never have to feel like I’m not at home, or feel afraid because God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are with me.

I’ve found my home.

And just like Dorothy and Toto, I had to leave my house and go to another world to find what I’ve been looking for, even though it’s been there the entire time.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have found my home.

I am home. No matter where I am or who I’m with, or what my situation is, I am at home.

Home.

It’s such a great word, isn’t it?

Home.

 

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Possibilities

Kevin Mannoia Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

Good morning and welcome to a new week.  It is complete with challenges.  Maybe some work assignments too.  You can dread them or you can lean into them.  Those challenges will become obstacles if your heart is dreading what is to come.  They will become possibilities if your heart knows that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.  The difference between obstacles and possibilities is that in one, you are alone.  In the other, you let Christ walk with you.  He alone can bring good out of challenges — and that’s what makes them possibilities.  It isn’t always easy, but it is good.  They can shape you, they can stretch you, they can deepen you, they can empower you.  But all of it comes in letting Christ be part of your walk this week.

Let me remind you of the opportunities available to you through SoulQuest:
·         Regional Center Fellowships – check with the staff for dates;

·         Wilden Hall Fellowship – Tuesdays, 7:30pm, Pump Room;

·         Duke Fellowships – Wednesdays, 6:30pm, Duke Lounge;

·         Exodus Interactive Dialogue – Sundays, 7:00pm, LAPC Room;

·         Music Fellowship – check with the staff for dates;

·         Chapel Service – April 4, 7:00pm, VIP Room

·         Drop-in Times with a Chaplain – Mondays & Wednesdays, 3-5pm, Green Room.

Please let me know how we can pray for you.  We want to walk with you through prayer.

Blessings,
Kevin

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React or Transform

Kevin Mannoia Monday, April 18th, 2011

Imagine that you walk into a room and it is cold – even frigid!  On the wall are two devices. One’s a thermometer.  It measures the temperature of the room and simply tells you what it is.  The other is a thermostat.  It measures the atmosphere in the room and then draws upon the furnace to change it – to warm it up.  You may live or work in a pretty cold or even hostile environment.  I have no doubt that you feel it and recognize it for what it is.  The question is, “Do you have a source to draw from to change it?”

You see, walking with Christ in a vibrant and personal relationship gives you access to the grace of God.  That’s like a huge source which when brought to bear on your environment can change it – from a cold, sterile, hostile, atmosphere, to a warmer, and hospitable circumstance.  In one case you are reactive.  In another you are transformational.  So the big question is this: “Are you like a thermostat or a thermometer?”

If you have any prayer requests, please feel free to let me know.  We’ll pray for you!

Blessings,
Kevin

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Value

Kevin Mannoia Tuesday, April 12th, 2011

“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure!” That’s how the saying goes anyway.  The point is that the value one person places on something is very different than another person.  The value of the object becomes relative to the person who is buying.  To some a much used recliner on the curb is a valuable find.  To the person who put it there, it’s worthless.  Value is ascribed by the person.

But there is one place where value is inherent.  The value of Jesus Christ to a human life is changeless.  He is the treasure for every person; He is more valuable than silver or gold.  And His value in your life is not dependent upon your perspective.  You may not see or acknowledge His value in you, but that does not make Him less valuable.  Why?  Because He brings meaning, fulfillment, and completion to your life.  Inviting Christ to be vitally part of your life puts you on a path of becoming all that God has for you to become!  And that does not change.

If you have a prayer request, send it to me.  Our Prayer Partners love to pray for you!

Reminder of ministry for you:
Sun – 7:00pm  LAPC Room – Exodus Interactive Dialogue
Mon – 6:30pm Music Building – SoulQuest Fellowship (selected Mondays)
Tue – 7:30pm Wilden Gallery – SoulQuest Fellowship
Wed – 6:30pm Duke Lounge – SoulQuest Fellowship
Wed – 3-5pm  Event Center Green Room – Chaplain Drop In

Blessings on you,
Kevin

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