Our February Update!

My friends!

I hope that February was a restful month for you all and that you had a great Valentine's day! It's so bizarre to think that it's already March and we've only got a little over two months left before the students are out for summer. Our 2016 has been full of so many spirit-filled events where students are hearing the gospel and responding to the presence of Christ on campus but don't be fooled, we're definitely not going to be slowing down at all as we finish well this school year.

When I was studying sociology at UT Dallas I got to take several classes taught by Professor Sheryl Skaggs. She was a very impactful professor who taught from her heart and cared deeply for her students. Over the year she has become a good friend of mine and our ministry at UT Dallas. She came to one of our Friday night services and shared how follow Christ shapes and influences how she teaches and how she interacts with students. Our students were impacted deeply through her words and left our large-group confident that they, too, can impact and build relationships with their instructors (see photos below!).

One of our small-group leaders, Karlo (Richland College), was invited to our week-long campus ministry training week, SICM, and hosted a pancake dinner to raise funds. He had a great turnout and raised over $300.00 to go to SICM! It was so encouraging to see our Richland guys working together and helping Karlo make this event a success! Karlo has given so much to our Richland ministry and it was such a cool thing to watch the students give back to him.

Thank you so much for your support and enduring partnership in campus missions. So much of this wouldn't be possible without you by our side as we meet students and reach them for the gospel. Keep our student leaders in your prayers as we finish the year strong and head into summer with new and renewed minds focused on Jesus.

Professor Skaggs, instructor of sociology at UT Dallas, came to one of our Friday Night FOCUS services to share what it means to follow Jesus while being a professor.

Epiphany Episcopal Church opened up their doors to our students to attend one of their traditional episcopal services on a Saturday night. They wanted to host our ministry and tell us that they're so thankful for what we're doing on campus and to find ways for us to partner with them.

Another shot of our time at Epiphany Episcopal Church!

The students at Karlo's pancake fundraiser! We had such a great turnout and the students really loved being helping Karlo raise funds for SICM.

Our Richland students! From left to right: Miles, Kah, Catherine, Chad, Karlo, Edwin, and Henry.

More of our students at Karlo's fundraiser playing Avalon. Have you all heard of this board game? It has sort-of taken over our ministry :) Our students love it!

Thank you so much for your support and partnership - I hope that the Lord fills you with a deep sense of his presence and abiding love. I want you to know if you need prayer for anything don't hesitate at all to let me know. You all are alongside me every time I set foot on campus and I couldn't be doing this without you. I love you all!

Your campus missionary,

Sirak Asfaw