A less formal (and more pictorial) end of the semester update…

So, I like words, but I also like pictures! People seem to respond better to a picture, than a thousand words, so I’ll post some pictures!

End of the Semester Update

Dear Family and Friends,

You’ll be pleased to hear that I have survived my first semester at the University of Connecticut. It’s beginning to get cold, but the students assure me it will get much, MUCH colder. I’m starting to see snow every once in a while, which is exciting, but I must reiterate the, obvious, cold. As the semester winds down, we don’t have much on the horizon. Aside from the students’ various exams, papers, and projects, we do have our Christmas party! There will be dancing, decorating ginger bread houses, and if all goes according to plan, an acapella rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen. This will be the guys’ gift to the girls of RUF, let’s just hope we can keep a straight face.

Since my last update, we had our big Fall Retreat in New Hampshire! It was a great retreat, and New Hampshire in autumn is beautiful! The students responded well to the guest speaker’s message. Jason Harris, the RUF Campus Minister at Northwestern in Chicago, spoke on the topic of Scripture. I can attest that many students were challenged and encouraged by Jason’s presentation of the Gospel. I look forward to seeing those students grow in their faith and understanding of the Scriptures.

Part of our retreat was climbing Mount Cardigan. By some miscalculation, we ended up taking the “hard trail” straight up the mountain. This involved a lot of actual rock climbing, as well as “bouldering,” or sort of crab walking up and down the rock face. By the time we could see the top, we got news that the rock was iced over, and too slick to continue climbing. Sadly, we had to turn around and get back before it got too dark. But the view from where we stopped was breathtaking (granted, I was already out of breath). Needless to say, we were all a little excited to be back at the retreat center on “flatter” land.

Slowly, but surely, my relationships with the students are growing, and I’m finally able to have deeper conversations with some of the guys here at UConn. We don’t have many freshmen, but of the ones we have, they cover a broad territory. I can’t wait to return in January to continue my ministry to them, as well as the older guys in RUF. If you would please pray for these guys, that they may find TRUTH in a culture that preaches truth as fallacy, and opinion as truth.

One freshman, Dave, has recently had a faith crisis. He simply doesn’t believe the way he used to. But, he continues to come to RUF, and he continues to read his Bible and pray that he may find his faith again. He has faith in his faith, but please pray that the Lord gives him faith in Jesus.

Another, Mouseboy (his real name is Dave, as well; but I swear, he told me to call him Mouseboy), is learning for the first time, how his faith translates in the secular culture. Most of his friends are non-believers, and he doesn’t know how to live his faith in front of them, without pushing them away. Please, pray that Lord can give him wisdom and understanding, that he can live his faith in every facet of his life, that he can be a beacon of hope to his “hope”-less friends.

I thank you all for your prayers and your financial support. You will be pleased to hear that I am doing quite well with my support, as long as the monthly pledges continue to be consistent. If, you do feel so inclined, this giving season, to give additional gifts, they will be greatly appreciated, and come in handy as this school year draws to an end (and my balance grows smaller). I wanted to remind you that in order for gifts to be considered tax-deductible for the 2008 calendar year they must be postmarked by December 31, 2008; or given online (ruf.org) by then.

And remember, prayer is free, and very helpful. This is not just MY ministry at UConn, this is all of y’alls, too. I hope the holidays are pleasant for you and your families.

And finally, keep in touch!

Sincerely,

Paul Major