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our latest copy of the Friendly Newsletter May-June 2010
Western Quarter Team Travels to MOWA Choctaw
This was a trip planned and led by God.
Teams and leadership were put together by God for every area of this
ministry ... builders, a devotion team, and a food team.
God’s hand was in charge from the first planning meeting.
The donations from meetings and individuals were more than could fit
into the van, plus more than enough money to cover expenses.
 Some
might say we had trouble traveling to Alabama; but we, as workers of
the Lord, say God was in control and worked many miracles.
Sunday, August 17th as we reached exit 13 on the other side of
Charlotte, the van’s engine started making a lot of noise.
We were stranded at a service station in a less than desirable
neighborhood. While we waited for South Fork’s bus to come
and carry us to the Friends Center in Alabama, we had devotions,
prayer, and fellowship. We were told by the tow company that
picked up the van that we were in the center of crack and
prostitution. Did God want a van with Quaker written on the side
and people praying at this site where drug dealers work?
When we got back on the road, we were in a traffic jam
only traveling 10 miles an hour because of a tractor trailer
wreck. Did God stop us so we could not be harmed? We think
so. We were covered with prayer from our meetings, and we could
feel it.
Our devotions for the week started with teachings of
sacrifice and fasting. We all sacrificed … dairy farmers
hired extra help; some took vacation days; and Ken left the pulpit for
this trip. That was our fasting and sacrifice. We worked hard and
built all ten sets of bunk beds. On Wednesday morning, we were
even ahead of schedule. After lunch, we witnessed our very
impressive after school team at work. Numbers are up to fifteen
now. We walked around the community and visited throughout the community.
We had worship and devotions every morning and evening. We were
challenged not to become dull with our Good News of Jesus
Christ. We praise God for allowing us to work at different
skill levels and personalities to get the work done without
friction. Neill Lindley, on his first mission trip, said that God
started working on him to go almost two months ago and his family
couldn’t believe he was going.
To sum this up: God got His work done; He had willing workers that were blessed; and we want to go back! All of us!
Gwen Headen, Plainfield Friends Meeting
Friends Campus Ministry at UNCG
This past April, God convicted three separate committees
within the Yearly Meeting (Evangelism, Church Extension, and Young
Adult) who where each discussing individually how to do a better job
connecting with all our college students across North Carolina
Yearly Meeting. As discussion went on, the three committees
decided to meet together. Through much prayer and discernment the
decision was made to hire a campus pastor and place them at the
University of North Carolina at Greensboro to see if progress could be
made toward starting a Quaker campus ministry over the next year.
The Church Extension Committee was generous enough to financially
support this ministry. In order for a campus pastor to have the
support and resources of the Yearly Meeting staff, UNCG was chosen as a
central location so that students from other area campuses could also
attend.
In Acts 2:42 it says, “They devoted themselves to the
apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread
and prayer.” God has placed it on the hearts of the members
of those three committees to make sure that our college students are
engaged in fellowship with one another and in the teachings of the Word
of God. Many of our Meetings have expressed a great
deal of concern over the need to minister to our young adults and
college students for some time now. God has blessed
us with this opportunity, and it has come in His timing and not our
own.
Last May, I had the privilege of visiting a couple
of campuses with our Young Adult committee and was able to meet with
some students during their exam weeks. Through a survey the
committee developed, I was surprised to find out that most of the
students with whom we spoke were really searching for a campus ministry
that fit them better. Many other denominations have a ministry on
campus, and our Quaker young adults wanted that same opportunity. They wanted the intimacy that many of our Meetings
provide. They were also searching for a smaller group with which
to worship, where they wouldn’t get lost in the crowd, and a
place to connect with other Quakers.
I know that God has awesome plans for this group of young adults,
and I feel so blessed to have the privilege of working with them
throughout the next year and hopefully, many more to come. God
has already opened so many doors for us, and I can’t wait to see
His glory revealed in these students. Spring Garden Friends Meeting will be the primary
location for our weekly Bible Studies and worship of this ministry as
it is within walking distance of UNCG. Thank you for all your support
and please let us know about any students who attend UNCG or other
local colleges or universities in the area so that we can help get them involved as well.
Sarah Vestal, NCYM Campus Pastor at UNCG
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