Reach Out on Campus at OU: March Update

And we’re back!!! What an amazing Spring Break! All semester long, ROC students had been fundraising for our mission trip to the American Indian Christian Mission in Show Low, AZ. On Saturday March 10^th we took off from Cincinnati to make the long trek across the US via plane and rental cars for Show Low. We departed from Athens at 8am Saturday and arrived in Show Low about 3:30am Sunday morning (which, accounting for the time difference, was 6:30am Eastern).

Our team of 18 students and adults spent the week serving in a multitude of ways including work projects on the mission (painting, stripping / waxing floors, building a deck on one of the dorms, and more) as well as participating in AICM’s Blue Bus Ministry each day (mobile Vacation Bible School on the Reservation). It was incredible to see God working in and through each of our team members throughout the week.

A particularly awesome blessing for me was serving alongside my father and my son on this trip. This was actually the second time they have both joined the ROC community on the mission field (the first was in the Dominican Republic). One memorable moment for me came when one of the kids at the mission asked if Trey could stay with them instead of going home with our group. (I briefly considered this but then realized that would likely land me in hot water with my wife. Hahaha.)

In similar ways each one of our team members left their mark on the mission and the people they served. I was asked several times throughout the week by the staff at AICM, the students, and the people of the White Mountain Apache reservation when our group was coming back. I can’t think of a more sincere compliment!

While the team took a well-deserved rest after we returned, we aren’t slowing down for long. Next weekend, March 30-31, is Ohio Teens for Christ. Our ROC students will be serving at the convention in a number of ways such as working the ROC booth to let OTFC students know about Christian Community at Ohio University, helping with the service opportunities, and our very own Cara Lawless and Annie Holbert will be teaching a workshop on relationships this year.

Finally, we want to ask you to mark Saturday April 21^st on your calendars. This will be ROC’s 4^th annual “Friends of ROC” dinner. The event will be held at 6pm at Athens Church of Christ (785 West Union Street, Athens, OH). The purpose of this dinner is to show each of you our sincere appreciation of your support of the ministry of ROC and to tell you a few of the ways that God has been working through our community. We would love for you to come and be our guests for an evening of fellowship and sharing.

As always, thank you for your many prayers and the continual encouragement that you send our way. Your partnership and faithfulness to the ministry of ROC is an incredible testament of your love of our students.