Renfro Ramblings

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! -Hebrews 12:1-3 The Message This passage in Hebrews has been on my heart these last couple of months so much that it has challenged me to train for half a marathon. One of our challenges in starting ministry here is teaching the students about passion in what they believe in. So the Lord  lead me to show p...

This weekend Josh and I had the privilege of taking 5 university students on our first ever retreat. The students that attended were involved this summer in small group and took our leadership training course. It was a wonderful time of prayer and planning before these students head back to class during the month of March. The retreat was also purposeful in solidifying their commitment and helping establish an identity that will  be  present in 5 major campuses this school year. We are grateful for their dedication and desire to take part in reaching their campus. We are in awe as we see these students begin to establish a vision for what God can do on their campus.

It was a wild four days as Josh and I where able to take part in Iglesia El Puente's Summer Youth Camp where youth all over the surrounding regions attended. Josh and I both were assigned to lead about 10 youth each in growing closer to God and having a significant 4 days that would impact their walk with the Lord.

It has been an incredible time as we have begun working with university students here in Chile.  Josh and I are so grateful for each one of the students that have committed part of their summer to take part in this ministry that will prepare them to be a witness on their campus! The girls meet every Tuesday at our house for small group and the guys on Thursdays. We are on our 4th week already! On Wednesdays we have our leadership training course that will enable the students to build their own small group when the school year begins in March.  Meet some of our new friends! From L to R. Tammy is a bible school graduate with a heart for discipleship and has decided to take part in helping us train the students. Areli is a high school graduate who will begin her first year of college at la Universidad de Santo Thomas. Francisco is currently a student at INCAP Technical Institute. Jano is a 3rd year medical student at la Universidad Catolica del Norte and Carolina will also begin her first...

Christmas time is here and so is the hot and sunny weather. The seasons in Chile are reversed so Christmas falls during the summer time. Instead of drinking hot chocolate by the fire people grab their beach gear for a long day at the beach. Instead of getting sweaters, scarfs, and gloves for Christmas, people get surfboards, beach towels and flip flops! The summer time also means the end of the school year. Students face finals and turning in projects to finish of the year. For those that finish high school December is a crucial month because they take the PSU a very important nation wide test that determines which university or institution they qualify for. For many their future depends on this test. Many of the students we are working with had to take the PSU so we were able to encourage and pray for them. To make things more interesting they find out their results 3 days before Christmas. HO HO HO Merry Christmas! The summer time will also be a busy time for us as we gear up to star...