April 2, 2016 Greetings! I have the privilege of working with some amazing young people at Colby-Sawyer College and watching them blossom in their spiritual lives as they seek God and apply his truths to situations they face on a daily basis. They are learning of his faithfulness and love, growing in dependence and trust. My role is to come alongside to coach, encourage, and set an example. I hope and pray God will use me to spur them on to "love and good deeds"(hebrews 10:24). Melissa, an alum, has rented a room from me since August but left recently to drive back to CA to help her mother relocate and then look for the next step. We have been talking all along about life choices, relationships, career decisions and what it means to depend on God as a young professional, especially when there are tough family issues pressing. It has been a joy to come alongside her and see the growth that has occurred over this year. Please join me in praying that she is able to discern the call of God as she steps out into the unknown once again. I meet with Kelly and her roommate each week to encourage them in their walk with God. I think I learn more from them than they learn from me! Kelly recently gave a moving testimony in front of 300 students from all over the northeast at our winter conference in February. Her family comes from Brazil and she has grown up caught between two cultures, the first family member to go on to college. Her smile lights up any room she walks into and her passionate love for people stands out on the campus. I pray she will continue to shine the light of Christ to those she comes in contact with. She and her roommate have started a weekly video blog (my new word of the year - "vlog") on youtube in which they discuss different aspects of what it means to put Christ first as young women. I'm so proud of them! Below is a photo of Kelly giving her testimony at the conference... Here is the link to their vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hb4rtdnoz9a. Serene, our student leader for three years at Colby-Sawyer, is thriving in her role as an intern with The Navigators at Boston University and is hoping to stay on in full ministry if all goes well with her visa. (She is originally from Malaysia and came on a student visa.) Serene was put in charge of the worship sessions at the annual conference and did an amazing job! She came up recently to lead worship for our own annual conference, Ablaze,
which was held at the First Baptist Church next to campus this year for area church members, students, and other campus fellowships. Serene brought a band of musicians from Berklee School of Music to lead us in three sessions of worship throughout the day. Our speakers included Willie Bacote, a beloved local pastor, and a young couple who are preparing to move to Mexico to start an orphanage, Sam & Jake Pelletier. The theme was how Christ's call is countercultural and we heard testimonies from students as well. It was wonderful to see Serene again and experience the blessing of her music and passion for Jesus. (She is pictured below leading worship at the winter conference.) I work with two amazing volunteers - Tom, a safety officer on the campus, who has a huge heart for students, and Patty, who jumped in this year after moving to the area and brings a passion for the word and for young people. She offers a weekly bible study to the young women in the group. God also prompted a new local pastor from Christ Redeemer Church in Sunapee to offer his help in any way, so he is doing a weekly book discussion with the guys on Tim Keller's "Prodigal God." He has been a blessing to them. We took 25 Colby-Sawyer students to the winter conference, and Abby & Curtis Snook brought eight Dartmouth graduate students this year! Please pray that the seeds planted in these students would take root and that they would catch the vision for reaching out to their fellow students while in college. There is so much need, and the response when someone takes an interest, listens with an open heart, and offers encouragement, is just amazing. I'm grateful for the opportunity to work in campus ministry and have a wonderful New England staff team supporting me. Our spring staff retreat is coming up at the end of April, and that's always a good time to connect with others and compare notes. Thank you for your faithful support of the ministry as well and for your prayers. In Christ's love, Cindy P.S. I have been generously supported in this ministry by family and friends, but need to expand my base of support in the next couple of months. If you are interested in a one time gift or monthly support, please go to this link: https://donations.navigators.org/specialpages/donormaster/staffdo nation?id=s22476790 22476790. Thank you!