Updater Feb. 13, 2010

The gears have ground back into motion here at UW-O. We've just finished the second week of the semester (though it was MY first, as I spent the first week celebrating my mom's retirement with her and my sisters in the Bahamas!). Here's a quick update:


This past Tuesday night was the kickoff of the H2O Project. Many TCFers have committed to giving up all drinks except water for 2 weeks. The money we would have spent on those drinks is donated to a mission in Haiti that digs wells. $1500 will buy one well, and bring clean water to people who didn't have it even before the recent earthquake. Not only are WE taking this Challenge, though, but we are manning a booth in the student union for a couple of hours a day, raising awareness of the need for clean water, and asking students to give a dollar. 1 dollar will buy clean water for 1 person for 1 year. Amazing, isn't it? We also give THEM the opportunity to take the Challenge with us -- I think we're up to about 30 participants from the UW-O student body at large (some of them are even going to try giving up beer for two weeks)!! Through this Project, we are not only helping the people of Haiti, but moving hearts on campus to sacrificially give, AND pairing "good deeds" with the Name of Christ in the minds of students at UW-O.

The larger picture for TCF this semester is to continue expanding our knowledge of Lifestyle Evangelism (again, this is the sort of evangelism that happens through true and deep relationships and showing how Christ is relevant today, not through tracts and hit-and-run gospel sharing). Our knowledge will be grown by EXPERIENCE this semester -- as well as the H2O Project, TCF has its Arms Open Wide in many ways, including:

• Dorm parties, where each Lifegroup (there are 4) will pick a dorm and a way to bless the students there. No strings attached: this is just a way to get to know some new people and answer to a need that they have, even if it is just to offer a reprieve from their stressful studies.
• Mission Trip to Galveston, TX to work with One Mission-Galveston on Hurricane Ike relief. We are inviting the Greek Organizations on campus and will take our mission field with us.
• And, perhaps most importantly, each student in TCF is being encouraged this semester to get involved in another on-campus organization of their choice (and to their benefit) where they will have the chance to truly get to know their peers and engage them in friendships that will shine the light of Christ into their hearts.

Please pray for us!
That we would be successful in showing Christ's relevancy, character, and purpose.
That we would love students with His Love and accept them the way He accepts us.
That the hearts of students at UW-O would be soft and open to us and Him or that we would know the words to say to soften them.
That we would meet our goal of $1500 for clean water in Haiti!

Thank you for all manner of your support! Remember, God makes it possible for me to continue this work through your financial partnership. This is your work too! If you are able to give this week please click the Paypal button on the right of the screen, or send a check payable to Wisconsin Christian Campus Ministries, 833 Wright Street, Oshkosh, WI 54901.

Many blessings to you friends!
Katy Ahlrichs