Hello dear supporters!
What a summer it has been! Josh and I spent nearly all of July traveling. Two weeks in Texas with his family, two weeks in Maine with mine. It was wonderful to visit with family and loved ones, and also to get a respite from the city.
Still, there was plenty of work to do. I have been raising financial support for my ministry full-time since May, and Josh has been using the summer to get a bunch of painting done. He worked on a portrait of our niece while in Texas, a seascape while in Maine, and several still lives once we returned to New York. The painting of the oranges below is one of his most recent works.
It has been a faith stretching summer for sure. The support raising process has taught us both a lot about trusting in the Lord: trusting in His sovereignty, His provision, and His character. Time and again I have seen Him come though in ways I never thought possible. Whenever I have felt hopeless, He has proven Himself faithful. He is so good!
Two weeks ago the New York Metro Staff Team had our annual staff retreat at Eddy Farm, a Christian retreat center in Port Jervis, NY. It was an encouraging couple of days. We spent time bonding as a team, planning for the upcoming semester, and praying for God to inhabit all we do. The photo below shows almost the whole team standing by the delaware River just before we departed to start this new year of ministry. I am so excited to see how He will bless the ministry this fall!
At the retreat we also discussed our campus assignments for the coming year. I have been assigned to two schools: Wagner College (my alma mater!) and Marist College. Wagner is on Staten Island, one of the five boroughs of New York City. Marist is in Poughkeepsie, NY, so I will mainly be serving that campus as a long-distance coach for the student leaders.
Though the fall semester has already begun, I have not been able to report to my assignments as I have not finished raising my financial support. New York City is an extremely expensive place to live; taxes and cost of living are very high. I still need about $1000 per month to cover the rest of my benefits and ministry expenses. I am confident that God will provide the remaining funds so that I can begin the work of making disciples soon.
Thank you all for partnering with me in this mission to renew the world by reaching the college students in New York City. To God be the glory!
Grace and peace to you,
Laura
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Please pray for...
Me, that my support goals will be met by September 15th.
The Students, that they will grow in their faith and in boldness in the gospel.
New York City, that God will bless the work of His church in the city.
