Thank you for being a part of this crazy adventure! I'm excited to share more stories throughout the summer.
Blessings,
Kirstin
Kirstin Heyne | Mobilizing Missionaries
June 1, 2011
Greetings from Ocean City, MD
I want to share a fun answer-to-prayer story. Last night one of our students, a Chinese student from James Madison University, found out her ride fell through from Richmond, VA to Virginia Beach (where she was supposed to meet another Project student to ride to Ocean City). She was clearly upset, so my teammate Steph called her to help work out details. Several staff members prayed for the details to fall into place while others worked out some possible options. Here's how God answered those prayers: a recent JMU grad who lives in Richmond drove the Project student (whom she knows) to a bus stop in Richmond where she boarded a MegaBus with the ticket she bought for $1. She arrived in Hampton, VA (in the Virginia Beach area) in time to meet the other Project student. They made the last leg of the trip to Ocean City together and arrived right in the middle of the arrival period. Isn't it great to know that we can rely on God? And isn't sweet of Him to surprise us with things like $1 bus tickets? It's only the first day of Project, and big things are already happening!
Thank you for being a part of this crazy adventure! I'm excited to share more stories throughout the summer.
Blessings,
Kirstin
Thank you for being a part of this crazy adventure! I'm excited to share more stories throughout the summer.
Blessings,
Kirstin
May 3, 2011
April 7, 2011
March 15, 2011
February Monthly Snapshot
I’m sorry I’m just getting around to posting the February Monthly Snapshot. Here it is.
February 7, 2011
Crisis in Egypt
I received an all-staff email today asking for prayer for the staff serving in Egypt. It read, “All Campus Crusade for Christ staff members in Egypt and their families are safe and accounted for. Ministry leaders have visited each family and delivered a care package of essential items, along with the message, "We love you. We're praying for you. We need to stand strong together, trusting the Lord." Below are some updates from Campus Crusade’s international headquarters in Orlando. You can visit www.ccci.org/egypt for continuing updates.
Though is seems an odd juxtaposition, I am happy to report that we are seeing non-Christian students enter into our fun, Christ-centered community in Pittsburgh. This past Saturday student women from around the city came together for “Mug and Muffin,” where they drank coffee, ate snacks, encouraged each other, and deepened friendships. Similarly, we had a “Big Game” party Sunday night that was designed as a time for Christians and non-Christians to rub shoulders and build relationships. It was a great success, and you’ll hear more about it in this month’s Monthly Snapshot.
Blessings!
News out of Egypt changes by the hour. Campus Crusade for Christ currently has more than 150 total staff families in Egypt. They continue to minister in the midst of crisis. Join us in prayer for these brave men and women.
February 3rd, 2011
Egypt ministry update
All Campus Crusade staff and their families are safe and accounted for in Egypt. Praise God! In-country ministry leaders have made contact with all staff members, and while they are all on high alert, they are all well. No staff member has been injured in the unrest.
A couple of powerful ways that God is working in the midst of the crisis:
Please continue to pray for the men and women of Egypt and the Middle East. We’ll continue to keep you up to date with the latest ministry information.
- Christians are reaching out to those around them. Local staff has noticed an incredible openness among the people. As staff members stand side by side with their neighbors to protect their communities, conversations are happening and many are having discussions about faith they would never have had before.
- Food and water have been delivered to all Campus Crusade staff and their families to support them for the coming days. But prices on basic commodities have inflated 20 times or more. People are running out of food, especially in a country where 20% of the population lives in extreme poverty.
February 4th, 2011
Egypt: video update
*I’m having trouble embedding the video created by Masterworks, but you can go here to view it. The audio gives me chills.
February 5th, 2011
A rubber bullet to the eye
One of our Campus Crusade partners in the Middle East was hit just below the eye by a rubber bullet. He was simply passing out water bottles to bring relief to the people of his neighborhood when the stray bullet struck.
The swelling was so bad he could not see for many days.
Please pray for safety for our staff and partners in Egypt and the Middle East as demonstrations continue.
February 5th, 2011
Food deliveries open outreach opportunities
A phone call with one of our staff in Egypt revealed the interest in spiritual things in the middle of the crisis.
She reported "There is an openness among the people we are seeing. Probably because they are scared but this is really exciting. The food parcels that we are giving are really opening doors (of love). People are so grateful."
Praise God! Please continue to pray for staff on the ground throughout Egypt and the Middle East.
February 5th, 2011
"We've never seen anything like this…"
A phone conversation with a Campus Crusade staff member in Egypt revealed the anxiety and excitement in the region. The staff member relayed this message through tears: "We've never seen anything like this in our lives in Egypt. People don't know what to do. They don't know how to behave."
Please continue to pray for our staff in the region as they work together with their neighbors to protect their communities. Pray also that outreach opportunities will continue to pop up as suddenly home-bound people have a lot of time to talk.
Staff report an incredible openness among their neighbors to conversation about Jesus Christ. Keep praying!
February 6th, 2011
Struggle for Daily Life
Staff in Egypt and throughout the Middle East report that daily life has become a struggle. Nearly everyone is in survival mode. They spend daylight hours securing food for their families.
This task has been made even tougher by price gouging on many food items throughout the country. Some commodities are scarce. Shop owners are taking advantage of the chaos. Staff in Egypt report prices double and triple their normal levels.
Join us in prayer that God will provide for every need our staff has. Pray that food and safe drinking water are available every day for men and women in the region.
Thank you for praying!My dear friends, thank you for partnering with Campus Crusade as we trust the Lord to “[Build] Movements Everywhere so that Everyone Knows Someone Who Truly Follows Jesus.” In the midst of the widespread unrest in the Middle East and around the world, we can trust that God is sovereign. Let’s not grow weary in lifting up our brothers and sisters, asking the Lord to strengthen them and to shine His light through them into the darkness around them.
Though is seems an odd juxtaposition, I am happy to report that we are seeing non-Christian students enter into our fun, Christ-centered community in Pittsburgh. This past Saturday student women from around the city came together for “Mug and Muffin,” where they drank coffee, ate snacks, encouraged each other, and deepened friendships. Similarly, we had a “Big Game” party Sunday night that was designed as a time for Christians and non-Christians to rub shoulders and build relationships. It was a great success, and you’ll hear more about it in this month’s Monthly Snapshot.
Blessings!
February 1, 2011
January Monthly Snapshot
Here's my January ministry update.
If you would like to see more pictures of RADIATE2010, you can check out the Mid-Atlantic Region's Flickr page. I'm told more pictures will be uploaded soon.
If you would like to see more pictures of RADIATE2010, you can check out the Mid-Atlantic Region's Flickr page. I'm told more pictures will be uploaded soon.
January 17, 2011
Summary of Praises
Now that the busy holiday season is over and I'm home from my Thanksgiving, Christmas, RADIATE2010, and New Year's travels, I would love to fill you in on some of the great things the Lord has done.
* A small group of students made dinner with Bhutanese refugees on November 6. A great time was had by all, and our students experienced first-hand the difference between the American concept of time and that of Bhutan. Two Pitt students are looking forward to continuing and deepening the relationship with these refugees.
* On November 9, the Lord used me and Maria to encourage the women of North Way Christian Community (Oakland) to become witnesses for Christ by entering into people's lives wherever they are in their spiritual journey. We got to share our passion for evangelism and explain the concepts of Co-Journers. It was also really, really fun. I felt a morning talk show host.
* My talk at Cru also went really well on November 10. I spoke on grace as revealed in Ephesians 2:1-10. We looked at the contrast between what is true of us before we come to Christ and what God has done to bring us into a relationship with Himself. As I prepared the talk, I felt the Lord laying the question, "Why does grace matter?" on my heart. So I dug deep and realized I needed to share some of my own junk and be really vulnerable. Grace is freeing! No matter what you (or people in general) think of me, I know I'm far worse. My heart is sinful BUT God loves me more than I can ever know. Grace frees us from comparison and insecurity. It frees us to be ourselves - even the geeky parts. It frees us to be real about our junk, allowing us to bring our sin into the light where we experience forgiveness. It frees us from performance and perfectionisn. Grace also changes the way we see ourselves and others. Though I felt raw and exposed at the end of my talk, comments and thanks from several students after the meeting were so encouraging.
* Remember my friend Greg who deperately needed a heart? Well, on Thanksgiving he got a call saying they had a match for him! His transplant surgery went well, and he is currently recovering and gaining strength. Praise the Lord, our perfect Healer!
* Student leadership at the University of Pittsburgh transitions in December/January. The new leaders step in at the beginning of the spring semester when ministry is slower. Then they have a full semester under their belts before the crucial blitz period during the first six weeks of the next school year. We restructured and streamlined things a bit, and even so the transitions have all gone well. The student leaders are true servants and have stepped into gaps created by our lack of staff.
* Which leads me to the next praise. Jason and Maria Weimer and their 3-year old daughter Hannah moved to Melbourne, Australia on Christmas Day. Their travels went well, and all three have adjusted well to life down under. Their absence has left a hole in my heart and social life, but my adjustment to being the only staff person on campus in Pittsburgh has been less overwhelming than expected. I definitely have my hands full with six launched campuses, an upcoming spring break trip to Australia, financial/operations responsibilities, coaching our stellar volunteers, leading a small group and helping with another, speaking at Cru, and entering into my own leadership training. Phew. I'm tired just thinking about it. But our God has big hands, and He can handle it all even when I can't.
* Our students are actively living their lives for Christ and are sharing the Gospel with their floormates, classmates, and friends. It's so incredibly encouraging to hear their stories.
* We had 35 Pittsburgh Metro students at RADIATE2010. Though I didn't get to go deep with all of them while there, it seems the Lord met with each of them in amazing ways. Stay tuned for the stories in my January prayer letter.
* A small group of students made dinner with Bhutanese refugees on November 6. A great time was had by all, and our students experienced first-hand the difference between the American concept of time and that of Bhutan. Two Pitt students are looking forward to continuing and deepening the relationship with these refugees.
* On November 9, the Lord used me and Maria to encourage the women of North Way Christian Community (Oakland) to become witnesses for Christ by entering into people's lives wherever they are in their spiritual journey. We got to share our passion for evangelism and explain the concepts of Co-Journers. It was also really, really fun. I felt a morning talk show host.
* My talk at Cru also went really well on November 10. I spoke on grace as revealed in Ephesians 2:1-10. We looked at the contrast between what is true of us before we come to Christ and what God has done to bring us into a relationship with Himself. As I prepared the talk, I felt the Lord laying the question, "Why does grace matter?" on my heart. So I dug deep and realized I needed to share some of my own junk and be really vulnerable. Grace is freeing! No matter what you (or people in general) think of me, I know I'm far worse. My heart is sinful BUT God loves me more than I can ever know. Grace frees us from comparison and insecurity. It frees us to be ourselves - even the geeky parts. It frees us to be real about our junk, allowing us to bring our sin into the light where we experience forgiveness. It frees us from performance and perfectionisn. Grace also changes the way we see ourselves and others. Though I felt raw and exposed at the end of my talk, comments and thanks from several students after the meeting were so encouraging.
* Remember my friend Greg who deperately needed a heart? Well, on Thanksgiving he got a call saying they had a match for him! His transplant surgery went well, and he is currently recovering and gaining strength. Praise the Lord, our perfect Healer!
* Student leadership at the University of Pittsburgh transitions in December/January. The new leaders step in at the beginning of the spring semester when ministry is slower. Then they have a full semester under their belts before the crucial blitz period during the first six weeks of the next school year. We restructured and streamlined things a bit, and even so the transitions have all gone well. The student leaders are true servants and have stepped into gaps created by our lack of staff.
* Which leads me to the next praise. Jason and Maria Weimer and their 3-year old daughter Hannah moved to Melbourne, Australia on Christmas Day. Their travels went well, and all three have adjusted well to life down under. Their absence has left a hole in my heart and social life, but my adjustment to being the only staff person on campus in Pittsburgh has been less overwhelming than expected. I definitely have my hands full with six launched campuses, an upcoming spring break trip to Australia, financial/operations responsibilities, coaching our stellar volunteers, leading a small group and helping with another, speaking at Cru, and entering into my own leadership training. Phew. I'm tired just thinking about it. But our God has big hands, and He can handle it all even when I can't.
* Our students are actively living their lives for Christ and are sharing the Gospel with their floormates, classmates, and friends. It's so incredibly encouraging to hear their stories.
* We had 35 Pittsburgh Metro students at RADIATE2010. Though I didn't get to go deep with all of them while there, it seems the Lord met with each of them in amazing ways. Stay tuned for the stories in my January prayer letter.
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