Danielle's January Update

It is actually snowing in Denton right now! I wasn't prepared for this cold weather but I am very ready for our students to come back for classes. Unfortunately I'll have to wait another week before I see them, but next weekend we have our annual Winter Camp, which we're so excited about! Not much has happened since my last blog update since the students have been on break, but I do have a few prayer requests for you!

• Winter Camp (January 13-16) at Sky Ranch: Please pray that our students build meaningful friendships, grow in their relationships with God, and catch the vision of our ministry. Also, that those students who are on the fence about attending decide that it's worth the investment (the cost is $150 per student). 

• Keep FOCUS Growing Fundraiser: We are so close to our goal ($41,000 out of $55,000)! Please continue to pray that God provides through this fundraiser to help us plant a ministry at SMU this year! If you haven't considered giving to this yet, remember that any gift will help us reach the goal!

• School starting (January 17): We will have lots of transfer students starting at our campuses this semester. Please pray that our students can be mission-minded and focus on reaching out to many new students who are searching for community. 

Here is our most recent student testimony from a girl named Chiazo that I was lucky enough to get to work with at UNT! I love her sincerely and pray that she is successful in her student teaching this coming year as she transitions away from Denton. 

"Before college, I spent a vast majority of my time at church, from volunteering to mission trips. After graduating, I was nervous about what Christian community would look like now that I had to find it for myself. I prayed for a group of friends who cared about me. I was at the gym six weeks into my freshman year and while I was working out on the treadmill, something made me turn around (while running 80% speed) and I saw a banner for FOCUS. I visited that Friday night and stayed because people sought out His Word, ways to practice His teachings and made Christ-likeness a lifestyle- specifically, Autumn Priestley, a senior at the time I joined FOCUS. I constantly asked myself “Why would someone who is about to leave college want to spend time with me”? She spent time with me because of the lessons she learned through FOCUS. As I make my transition into the “real world” and becoming a teacher, I will remember to seek to understand then be understood when working with students, parents, and other teachers. I will look at my students and love them. I will consider their needs and provide for them, whether that means that I attend their sporting events or support them through tough times. I will show them who Jesus is through my teaching, patience, and discipline on and off the podium. It’s because of my involvement in FOCUS that I am able to know what it looks like to be a disciple in the 'real world'."
Chiazo Akagha (Senior, University of North Texas, Choral Music Education)


Thank you so much for reading! Much love <3
Danielle