Hello From Springfield!

My team and I arrived in Missouri around a week ago. Even though it had only been a little over a week, so much has happened! We have gotten to meet lots of new people, start ministry on campus, and get adjusted to a new city.

So basically, the gap team is joining a bigger team in Missouri. This team of Cru staff has been together for many years and work at several different universities all over Missouri. The main campuses that we will work at are Missouri State University, Ozark Technical College, and Drury University.

The really cool thing about being here is that we will get to do evangelism and discipleship almost every day. The day after we got here last week, there was a welcome party hosted by our team leader, Danny, and his wife Nicole. Then after, we went to Missouri State to do on campus evangelism. This was out of my comfort zone at first (probably will be for a while), but it was so awesome getting to share the gospel with students! My group was able to talk to a few people and have really good conversations with them about God.

Thursday, we had orientation, and then we toured Springfield. Thankfully, we are very close to campus and within walking distance of almost everything we will need! Our leaders have been so sweet and kind to us. They have provided us with really nice apartments, given us rides to different events, and sacrificed their own time to coach us on how to share the gospel.

This past week, January 25-28, we got to be on campus everyday sharing the gospel with students and challenging other believers to share their faith. I have had so many wonderful conversations with people. I am in awe that God would want to use us to share his love with others. One thing I have realized is how much I need him when I am having conversations about the gospel. I can't say the right thing in my own strength, but only by his immeasurable strength. It's scary to stop relying on myself to remember everything and just allow him to speak through me. But it goes WAY better when I surrender that fear and let him guide me.

God has been so good to all of us. To be completely honest, I wasn’t super excited for this next part of gap year, but since being here I can see his hand over every situation. Even from last semester too. Being in Missouri is a huge blessing our team doesn’t deserve, but God graciously gave us. I am beyond excited to see how he moves in the next several months.

Our weekly schedule will look something like this:

Monday: First, we have a team meeting with staff from Cru. Next, we do the Key Volunteer Challenge (Monday/Wednesday I am at the Missouri State campus.) This is an outreach where we try to build up student leaders on campus and get them to share their faith.

Tuesday: Morning through afternoon we do evangelism on campus (Tuesday/Thursday I am at Drury University.) In the evening, we get time to spend with the Lord in reflection. There may be a Bible study that some of us will get involved in also.

Wednesday: Core doctrine Training (a theology course through Cru.) Then we will do evangelism on a different campus. Later that evening, we will have optional team hang out time.

Thursday: Key Volunteer Challenge on campus (similar to Monday’s outreach.) Later that evening is campus social time. This could be meeting up with students to disciple them or just hanging out with students.

Friday: We have a team meeting with Cru staff. This meeting is less focused on logistical topics, and more on team bonding.

Saturday/Sunday: We have the weekends free to meet up to disciple students. Sunday, we have church in the morning!

Our schedules are definitely going to be busier this semester, but I am looking forward to seeing how God leads our team here.

Here are some prayer requests!

- That evangelism and KVC on campus will go well, and that we would follow God’s lead on how to pursue this.

- That each of us would rest well when we have time off.

- That we would bond really well with the team already here in Missouri!

- Praise because God has provided really awesome ministry opportunities!

God has been so faithful this past year! He has blessed me with the best team.

It’s crazy that this is the last semester of gap year! I really do appreciate all the prayers and support from everyone!

In Christ,

Dani

Etsi and I at the airport!

First night back with the team

Evangelism on campus!

Zoom call with Jill!

First day with the team!