We are blessed with beautiful sunsets almost every night at NTBI. I took this photo tonight from the 4th floor of the guys dorm, sitting in the windowsill. It was one of those perfect moments where everything just feels right for a minute, and time stands still.
As we get ready for classes to start tomorrow, we can't help but reflect on all that has happened in the past year. It's overwhelming to consider the many things God has taught us, the way He has provided for us, and the blessing that our time here has been. That doesn't mean it's been perfect. Life is never perfect, in fact, it can be messy. But learning to walk with the Lord through the struggles of life is an adventure worth living!
This summer our family enjoyed a road trip back to our home state of California! Round trip, we drove through 15 states, slept in 19 different beds, endured 10 thunderstorms, 1 tornado watch, 1 hailstorm, and we left a broken down car in Colorado! Thanks to the many friends and family who blessed us with hospitality, prayer, and generosity!
These are some of my bros getting ready to go on a hike at Devil's Lake. We were on a student leadership campout designed to both train us with leadership principles, and bond us together as a team. My role in student leadership will be to oversee the worship teams on campus. This is so similar to what I did during my last 2 years at HDC, it's all coming back to me! Many of the staff and faculty, including the president, went on the campout. I can't tell you what an encouragement it is to see the heartbeat of the staff as they interact with the students here. They truly care about training and descipling young (and not as young) students, and they are not afraid to dive right in and grow, worship, struggle, laugh, and cry with us.
This semester I (Mike) will be taking 19 credits, and Kristi will be taking 12 credits and auditing several classes. Our classes will include Hermeneutics 2, life of Christ, Bible Basis of Missions, Theology, Anthropology, Hamartiology, Christology, 1Corinthians, Prophets, Acts, Job, and Living Biblical Greek.
I have decided not to work this semester. I truly believe I would not learn and grow as deeply as I need to if I did. This is not just about a grade, this is about being equipped to potentially serve the Lord in a tribal setting where people have been literally enslaved by sin, superstition, and demonic forces for generations. This is no joke, and I believe I need to put my all into the training. That said, we are trusting the Lord to continue providing for us like He has done faithfully so far.
Please continue to pray for us. More than anything, that we would be transformed by God's Word. Without an incredible work of the Lord in our own hearts and lives, we will fail at the task set before us. Thank you all for the love and encouragement you have shown us through our first semester! We look forward to all God has in store for you and for us in the year to come!
Mike
