End of Year---Danielle's May Update

This year is finally coming to a close and it is bittersweet for me. I am sad to be transitioning away from the Denton team and all the students that I have developed relationships with here over the years. However, I am ready for a fresh start back on the Collin College team and am excited to see what God has in store there!

Sunday night we had our Spring Formal, a celebration of the end of the year where we honor our seniors and grads. Here are some photos of the night:

Some UNT ladies: Angel, Sierra, Erin, Jacy, and Kassi. I have had the pleasure of mentoring Erin and Kassi this year and they are two of my favorite gals. 

We had beautiful weather at the park pavilion as we gathered to reminisce about the year

A beautiful setting for my last Spring Formal in Denton

My husband Matt, center, with two of the guys he mentored this year: Justin and Alex

Some of my lovely TWU women that I spent time with this year!

My sweet pal and fellow staff member, Miriam. She is transitioning off our staff this year and is looking for a new job. I am going to miss her so much!

A group that I have had the great pleasure to work alongside this year is our student leader team. My favorite part of doing campus ministry is doing God's work with these people. They have encouraged me, challenged me, and loved me so well.

We had our last leader team meeting last night. We gathered around and told funny and encouraging stories from the year. God is so good to let me be part of this. 

I want to thank you all for your support and your prayer! We simply would not have had such a successful year of ministry if it wasn't for you. Thank you so much!

Here is our latest student testimony. I have known Bekwele for four years, since he was a student at Collin College before transferring to TWU. I am so proud of him!

"I first became involved with FOCUS when I was just starting out at Collin College. I had been living in Nigeria for a few years, so I was walking into a college experience where I didn’t know anyone. I worried a lot about not being able to find any meaningful friendships while I was there. So it came as a surprise when some old friends of mine, Loré and Gibby Yessuff, invited me to a
Thursday Night Fellowship. From that first night of fellowship, I made more friends than I could have prayed for. People asked me to sit with them, scheduled time to hang out with me, got to know me, and challenged me as a disciple. It became clear to me that this was not only an example of authentic Christian community; this was the way Jesus called us to do friendships—intentional, genuine and loving.

Through the many friendships I’ve been blessed with in FOCUS, God has changed my fear and worry of not having any friends into a desire to grow and develop friendships at TWU. I am beyond thankful when I see what he is doing in the lives of students here and for the example of Christian friendship that I’m now able to extend to others."

Bekwele Wodi

Texas Woman’s University

Psychology

Sophomore

With love, 

Danielle