Update, downdate, rightdate, leftdate, heredate, and theredate

On Sunday I moved into a new apartment that is much closer to the university. I was able to fit all my stuff in about three car loads. I am really enjoying living near WashU. I can walk to the university in about 12 minutes, and there lots of resources nearby (such as a Schnucks that is about five minutes away by car). I still don’t have any furniture. When I get things a bit more organized I will post some pictures.
There is a chilean couple that I met through Intervarsity, and they happen to live directly across the street from me (I can get there in about 30 seconds); I went to their apartment last night to say hello, and in typical Chilean fashion they gave me dinner and dessert, even though I was by no means expecting it (although I suspected they would want to give me something) I was probably there for almost two hours. I really enjoyed talking with them. Patricio, the husband, is getting a doctarate in engineering, so we conversed much about the struggles involved in being a Christian in an academic and scientific environment. Alicia, his wife, is a psychologist. They are also both Catholic, which I find interesting because in many ways Patricio’s understanding of the Bible and of the gospel seems very evangelical; although last night he mentioned something about reason and emotions that indicated to me he thought reason is more important than emotions, i.e. the emotions mess up objectivity. That sounds like Thomas Aquinas to me. I was going to inquire further, but he had to go finish some paperwork. In any case, I have no doubt that he is a Christian.
Speaking of Catholicism, I was talking with one of the Intervarsity staff (Janet Atkins) yesterday morning (she is Presbyterian). She said that a while ago she started praying in the Catholic Basilica here in St. Louis–just to be in a quiet place–and she always ended her prayers by asking God to start an Awakening in the Catholic church. She said that before she started praying this prayer there were no Catholics attending the Intervarsity group meetings, but afterwards there were suddenly many of them. I myself have already met like 7 Catholics. Patricio himself speaks openly about his Awakening to a better understanding of Jesus. Anyway, meeting all these Catholics has been an interesting and unexpected experience. I have even had the opportunity to have a long discussion with a Catholic priest. It seems that the Spirit of God is moving within the Catholic church. I sure hope that He is.

One thing that has been on my mind lately is deciding in which area of ministry to focus my energies. I seem to have many ministry opportunities that all seem like good options, and I wish I could do all of them. The pastor of New City Fellowship (Barry Henning) as well as an Honduran pastor that came to the United States for the sole purpose of ministering to the Latinos in the States have the desire to begin a ministry to the Latinos in this area. There is an apartment close to where Barry lives where many Latinos are living, so he and the Honduran pastor are thinking of starting there.

On the other hand, I have also been praying diligently that God would show me the wonder of His creation and that He would give me the ability to communicate that wonder to others. My mind often feels oppressed when I think of studying physics, and I am not sure why. I mean, God has so richly provided for me to be here. I should be exuding with praise and thanksgiving to God. I am sometimes, but the joy of learning seems to be so easily quenched. I can’t really point to anything in particular, except that I am often plagued by anxieties. Sometimes I wish I could do something else.

Anyway, there are also several students in my department who are interested in learning more about Christianity. One of them has been particularly interested (Dihui). I asked him a couple weeks ago if he wanted to know Jesus more, and he said he did! He said that he feels that God has been guiding him, but he doesn’t feel ready to give his life to Christ. I asked him what was keeping him from doing so, and he said he still has a lot of questions. For these reasons I have had a desire to start an evangelistic Bible study for students in the scientific field. Janet Atkins told me that she would love to help me get one started. She has been involved in the evangelistic Bible studies–Intervarsity calls them GIGs (Group Investigating God)–for seven years, and she loves providing people with resources. I have had a growing desire and urge to teach from the Word of God, and doing such Bible study seems like good training; but it seems like if I do this I might not have much time to be inolved in church.
New City Fellowship does not really have a year-round outreach for university students, and I have not found any existing group there that is already reaching out to scientific-minded people. There is an elder there, Gerry Chappeau, got either a Masters or a Ph.D. in physics–I don’t remember which. I have had several conversations with him, and I would like to get to know him more; but I get the impression that he is quite busy. He works with Intervarsity as well. He and his wife are involved in a ministry (I believe they started it) called City Lights. Usually in the summer they gather together university students, and then go live in the inner city doing acts of kindness and justice and mercy.

New City Fellowship also has an after-school tutoring program, which I am considering doing. I think that I would enjoy working with kids and learn to be a good teacher.

I have also been praying that God would provide me with a good support group. In particular I think it would be nice if I were a part of a group of two or three guy friends that could mutually challenge and encourage one another.

I would greatly appreciate your prayers and any wisdom you can give me in these matters. I feel like I am being stretched in so many directions. I wish I could do everything.