Ant-on-line

Frosh Week @ UoA: Day 4 (Sep 3, 2009) September 3, 2009

Yes, another busy day – you can’t have a frosh week without being busy!

Last night’s Bible Study was great as we talk about salvation and our assurance of it! It was just impacting, personally speaking. I’ve heard it before, but one can never “out-hear” the gospel and the impact of our assurance. One of the application questions (homework for next week) was to think and reflect on how the assurance of salvation through Christ impacts me on a daily level. As I was reflecting on these things this morning, I was just uplifted in my spirit by the freedom that the assurance of salvation offers. My assurance that Christ saved me not by my works, by his grace through faith, I am so free, free indeed. Free to live life, not in fear, not in the constraints of tradition or laws – not that I live hazardously. But my living is not a matter of doing things to try to earn God’s favour or get to heaven. It’s simply living out a relationship of love that was first bestowed upon me by God, and now I to Him!

I was talking to a student who has a Buddhist grandmother who did a lot of things, religious acts and ceremonies, etc. He once asked him grandmother whether she knew if she was going to get to “heaven”, she said she was unsure, and that is why she need to continue to do those things, those good things. As I thought about that this morning, I was just so thankful and excited! Her behaviours are in many ways dictated by her being unsure of what happens after she dies. But my life, my change in my life is dictated by the love of Jesus Christ, through my personal relationship with him!!! Having been married only a little over a year, it very clear that change can happen from love. The change in my life because of Jesus Christ is lasting and continuing! Wow – the assurance of salvation because Christ died on the cross for my sins, that I might know forgiveness and powerful love.

Today, we continued to do classroom SIQ’s. We didn’t see as much interest today, which was slightly discouraging, but then again, I need to also remind myself that this is a huge step for the ministry at UoA. So I need to celebrate that (that we did them and saw a few student interested in knowing God personally).

We had a large BBQ infront of the big mural of the education building. I’m sure it drew in some people that weren’t originally planning to come, but saw free food! Well, hey, that’s great – I wanna talk with them too! I met a first year student from Taiwan who is trying to figure out what group to get involved in and if he can be involved during the week. He faces a lot of challenges as he is on his own here. He’s only been in Canada for less than 2 weeks. He’s the oldest of all children and the first in his family to ever go to university. His family is back home in Taiwan and has no relatives. The pressure is high/heavy!

I also met a guy from Ontario who is doing grad work here (a recurring theme in my life). His family is Christian, but he’s “not a Christian anymore.” He respects the Christian community, though. But I’m not satisfied – I plan to connect with him and I’m excited to help him discover the Jesus Christ I know (ie. first two paragraphs above)!!!!

Tired and heading to bed – one more day tomorrow and long weekend (ie. rest)

Anton

Frosh Week @ UoA: Day 3 (Sep 2, 2009) September 2, 2009

Another busy day. Today was fun and long.

We did the classrooms SIQ’s. They went so smoothly.  We stood outside the classroom and handed out the survey’s to students.  The first year students are so eager, they much more willing to take the survey at this point in the year.  A funny thing happened.  We surveyed a biology class and as I stood at the side of the classroom, the professor saw me and handed me a classroom syllabus!!!  I guess I look like a first year, even though I didn’t have a bag with me at all.  Most of the first year students are probably 17/18 years old.  I guess at 25, I still look like a first year!

At the “end of the day” we had our large Bible study.  We prepared a nice pasta dinner for everyone and caesar salad. There were about 40-50 students who came out!!!!  Many came out because of the chalking they saw on the ground, the booth, and personal phone calls.

As I sat at my table with a few guys, I realized how exciting it was to be there. There were four students at my table:
1) first year, undergraduate, engineering student from Edmonton
2) master’s student in soil sciences from China
3) another master’s student from the Philippines
4) a Ph.D student in computer science from Brazil
The variety of students in the different levels and from different parts of the world really excited me about reaching today’s university campus.  The student from China was not a Christian and recognized that, but was very interested to find out more!  What an opportunity.  Another day where I count it an honour and privilege to be serving students full-time.  I am so thankful to those who are support Roslyn and I for the work we are doing!

Praise God!

Frosh Week @ UoA: Day Two (Sep 1, 2009) September 1, 2009

Another busy day on campus with hundreds, of students coming through to register and check out the clubs on campus.  Again we handed out Real Life Kits to people!

Tonight, I called a few people who wanted to find out more about our Bible Studies on campus.  I was met with interest.  I am excited about tomorrow because I am meeting a student who wants to know more about “knowing God personally!!!”  He filled out one of our surveys yesterday!  Second day on campus and I get the opportunity to share the beauty of Jesus Christ!  What a privilege and honour to represent Christ.

Tomorrow is going to be different day.  Tomorrow, we are going to be outside on campus in “The Quad” where we will be able to set up our booth and continue to hand out Real Life Kits and the surveys.  Additionally, we are going to do Classroom SIQ.  We are hitting up major first year classes are are in the size of the hundreds.  We’ll hand out survey before classes, make an announcment, collect the surveys and be out of the class before the professor starts.  We respect the students and the prof and don’t use any of their class time.  Doing these SIQ’s, we are aiming to reach every first year student.  We want to survey the first year class to find out among them who, at this time would be interested to join Bible studies, or find out more about knowing God personally.  This strategy allows us survey hundreds of students in a matter of 5 minutes.  I can’t think of a better time and place to be extending the invitation to discover Jesus Christ!!!!

Also tomorrow (Wednesday), we are launching for first Bible study of the year.  For the month of September we are gathering as a large group to do Bible studies (we break off into smaller groups).  We’ll be going from 5:00-7:00 (Mountain time, that’s 7-9, EST).  Pray that students will remember to come out, those who expressed interest these past few days.

In His Glory,

Anton