If you missed this past Tuesday night…..let’s just say you missed an incredible evening. Our own Paul Lefeber from Blackhawk put out an album this past year and since that time, has been playing at different bars and clubs around the Dane County area. On Tuesday night, he took time out to come and play a mini concert for our crowd at CAM. Let’s just say that the night was really great. As Paul played many of his own songs and shared with us where his inspiration for them came from, I found myself being encouraged and looking at my own walk with Christ in a deeper way. Paul is a great story teller and his honesty with our group was refreshing. At the end of the night, he offered free cd’s to anyone who couldn’t afford one. In other words, our “poor college students” got hooked up with free music.
Yes, it was an amazing evening……but he fact of the matter is, in my opinion, this entire semester has been amazing! Every night that CAM teams have put something on, I have walked away thinking to my self, “what a great night!” This is the strongest our ministry has been in the 9 years I have the chance to be involved with CAM. We hope to see you at more Tuesday nights that are up and coming.

In case you missed the Make a Difference Night last night, it was epic. . . but not for the faint of heart.  We spent the evening exploring human trafficking and the global tragedy that it is.  There are many organizations that work with sex trafficking.  The one we chose to use as a resource, and the one that is very well known is the International Justice Mission.  (www.ijm.org for a lot more information).  Maybe you have merely heard about human trafficking and don’t know the magnitude of the tragedy that it is.  Here are some devastating statistics:

–There are more than 27 million slaves being held worldwide.  That is more than slaves than at any other point in history.

–Human trafficking is the world’s third largest criminal enterprise, after drugs and weapons.

–The average age of a trafficked victim is 14 years old.

–Between 14,500 and 17,500 victims are trafficked into the USA each year.

So in light of this globally tragic and overwhelming issue, what do we do with that?  How can we as individuals even begin this fight?  Well, one big way is through legislature.  A large number of students last night signed letters, petitions, and postcards to send to the government to urge them to take a good look at this issue and pass legislature that would allow them to assist nations plagued by slavery.  For more resources about how to do this and who to send your letters to, visit www.ijm.org.

Another way is to support International Justice Mission financially.  The International Justice Mission is a non-profit organization and cannot fulfill justice without the aid of people like you and me.  God calls us all to give.  Maybe this is something you can give to.  If you feel that you don’t have enough money to give, share that burden with people.  A few people who give $10 a month is a substantial donation.

And finally just be aware and pray.  Know what is going on with this issue and tell other people about it.  Don’t forget that sex trafficking is not merely an international issue.  As you read above, people are being trafficked across our borders as well.  There is even evidence of people being trafficked through Wisconsin.  Keep your eyes open.  Also pray for the millions of people who are trapped in the world of slavery every day.  God is our biggest ally in this fight.  He has abolished multiple waves of slavery in our history.  He can do it again.

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”  – Edmund Burke

And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.

The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.

-Isaiah 58:10-11

Let us use this opportunity to love and give as Jesus would. . .

I just wanted to write a word of THANKS to all of you who made my “goodbye” so heart-warming and incredibly special! It has been an absolute joy and delight to work with CAM these last couple of years and it is bitter-sweet to leave a position I love (even though I would imagine I am entering a new position I will love)! Thanks again for the gift of a “Movie Night In;” as we adjust to life with an infant this will certainly come in handy and we will be sure to enjoy! Also, I love the scrapbook and cherish your kind words and memories. Blessings to each of you and CAM this coming semester – but I am not falling off the face of the earth, so be sure to stay in touch and I will see you around!

This past Tuesday night we began our new series called “when I grow up.” We talked about how the decisions that we make today will affect the people who we become tomorrow. There is a story that each of us is writing and a path that each of us is on. The pieces are connected. It’s like “the domino effect.” Here is a link to wikipedia’s thoughts on the domino effect.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domino_effect

At the end of my talk, I asked people to answer these questions.

At the end of your life, What story do you want to have written?

In light of the story that you want to write, are the decisions you are making in life helping or hindering you in writing that story.

We are all on a path. What path are you on and where is it taking you?

While I was prepping for my talk, I came across 2 great clips from youtube that exemplify “the domino effect.” One is with old school dominoes while the other is with mentos and diet coke. My guess is they might not bring any more any more clarity to what we discussed Tuesday night…..but they are stinkin fun to watch!!

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOGqZAMHS-M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vk4_2xboOE

CAM Honduras Trip – OFFICIAL DATES: MAY 16-30th.
Applications are due NEXT Tuesday, January 26th! Check out www.blackhawkcam.org for more information and online applications. Space and Time are limited – submit your application ASAP! Questions? Contact Lauren at globalimpact@blackhawkchurch.org.

I’m sitting this morning watching people on the news share more and more tragic information about the ramifications of the earth quake in Haiti. Needless to say, it is staggering. I feel like there is only so much that I can take in at one time yet, I don’t ever want to turn it off.
I received an email from a friend of mine on staff at Blackhawk named Paul Lefeber who lost a friend there. Here is his email…..

I just received news from Mariah that a friend of ours (Ben) was killed by the earthquake in Haiti. He and his wife have only been married for a few years. She was in the same building but survived. He and his wife were finishing seminary degrees at Wartburg in Dubuque, IA. They had previously interned at a church in Lincoln. He was a guy with a lot of life and passion for Christ. They were in Haiti on a short term mission trip, serving on Lord.

If you would, please pray for his wife Renee and his parents (also pastors). This is an amazing tragedy for them.

Also, perhaps you could take a moment today to pray for what is going on down there. It sounds pretty unbelievable. I can’t help but wonder how many stories there are like Ben’s. Not to mention the untold numbers of Haitians who have died.

If you’re interested, here is an article about Ben:
http://www.wibw.com/nationalnews/headlines/81548117.html

Peace,
paul

Welcome, Seth Dunham – New CAM Intern!

Seth is on board full-time with the CAM team at least through May 2010 and is already an awesome asset to the team. He has his undergraduate degree in Biblical Studies from Trinity International and is a recent graduate of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School with a Masters in Divinity. He is taking on some teaching oppportunities and other leadership roles within the ministry this and we hope you all have a chance to meet him soon and get to know him throughout the semester. If you’re interested in being in touch, friend him on Facebook (he needs friends) or email him at sdunham@blackhawkchurch.org.

CAM Honduras Trip: May 17-26

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE TUESDAY, JANUARY 26!

Blackhawk has a long-standing relationship with our brothers and sisters in Orica, Honduras at the Alpha y Omega Church. We partner with the UW Landscape Architecture Department to build playgrounds in Orica. The team also travels to another community, Siguatapeque, to work on designing parks, playgrounds, and construction.

If you’re interested in applying, please visit blackhawkchurch.org/short_term for the trip application, background check, and more information; visit the Blackhawk Church website at blackhawkchurch.org for FAQ’s.

Space for the trip is limited; if you’re applying please make sure you’re able to attend the mandatory meeting times listed below:

February 7 – First-Time Traveler Training (10:30 am) Mandatory for all Blackhawk first-time travelers!

March 7 – All-Trip Training (4:30 pm)
Mandatory for all Blackhawk travelers!

Questions? Contact Lauren at globalimpact@blackhawkchurch.org

For a wide variety of reasons, each day upon my reading of scripture I settle on a brief passage and think about it throughout the day. The point is not just to think about it, but pray through it and let it permeate my heart and mind; work its way through me. This morning as I read, the following passage jumped out and I have since been pondering what the Lord might be saying to me right now:

“As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.”
Mark 1: 17-18

The passage seems so straight forward and easy to comprehend; simply follow Jesus. Now. Period. However, in day to day life how clouded that message becomes or at least how easily it is pushed aside. I read about Simon and Andrew and think, “Clearly if Jesus physically came up to me and directed me to follow Him I would do so, right?” Not only does he say here to follow him (what I take in this instance as literally following him and learning from his leading), but the point is that these men will follow His instruction, will learn from Him, and then be able to bring others to Him because of what they learn.

This has led me to think today of how often I do not respond to his order to follow Him, which leads to sharing his Grace with others. However, it also prompted me to think of how I can do this in even the most menial daily tasks: Today, did I drive politely, with others in mind? Was a talkative or kind towards to grocery store cashier? Was I considerate towards others in conversation? Did I cook, clean, and serve others joyfully? And, were each of these things evidence of the Holy Spirit in me and did they shine the light of the Gospel?

I obviously have no answers, but even thinking on these verses and being more aware this afternoon than I was this morning of how they should shroud my every thought and action, I feel a deeper calling to “follow and fish!”

Hey Everyone!

Hope you all are having a great holiday season!  Just wanted to let everyone know the various trips that are going throughout Winter Break, encourage prayer for those trips, and for spiritual growth for those attending. First we have Urbana in St. Louis, going from Dec 27-31, which focuses on mission work. We have about 10 students attending Urbana, so please pray for them.  Next we have Passion going on in Atlanta with about 25 students driving down.  This conference runs from Jan 2-5 and focuses on the idea of complete Lordship in the lives of students. Lastly, we have the Georgia Service Trip, where we partner with Habitat for Humanity to build homes for people in need. This trip goes from Jan 9-16 and has 10 people attending, which is the maximum allowable.

I ask that you pray specifically for safe travel as everyone will be driving to these various trips, which are very far away, and it’s winter…need I say more? Also pray for the spiritual growth of those attending and that God would use these trips to change lives where He desires. Thank you for your prayers and love.

In Christ’s Infinite Love,

Brandon Ryan