Thanksgiving with International Students

On Thursday, our family joined 275 International Students from around the world. It was so much fun. We had a Chinese family sit at our table. Ning (wife) had just finished her PhD at the University of Wisconsin and her husband is finishing up his PhD. Ning's mother was along as well and was interested in our Bible study. We were excited.

Claire in her Thanksgiving Day costume.  

Claire and her two good friends. 

Claire and her friends at school. 

Claire and her friends at the feast. 

Thanksgiving Fun at Claire's School.

I went to Abundant Life Christian School to enjoy a pre Thanksgiving feast on Wednesday. It was so much fun to hang out with Claire and her friends.

Local Pastors and Campus Ministers meet in prayer

Today, local pastors came to campus to hear about our troubles with the University and the anti discrimination issue. We informed them and they prayed with us. It was very encouraging to have this support.

Campus Ministers and local pastors meet. 

Med students save the Med school

Last Wednesday, we decided to serve the Medical school. There are several break rooms and we just went and cleaned them. It is was fun.

Who is that with Sarah cleaning? Slim?

Jenny cleaning. 

John cleaning. 

Erin cleaning. 

Meeting with the Dean of Students

On the campus of UW Madison, there is a group of religious workers from many faith backgrounds. Once a month we get together to stay connected and hear a speaker.

Once a year the Dean of Students joins us as we seek to build a relationship with the University.

Making a point.. 

URW talk with Dean of Students 

Dean of Students of UW Madison Laurie Berquam. 

Time again for Operation Christmas Child

Every year, in November, we do Operation Christmas Child in as many of the Professional Schools as we can. This year we are in the following schools: Law, Nursing, Pharmacy, VetMed. It is a chance for our students to help others to give during the holidays.

Today, we had wonderful interest in the Nursing school. Twenty five signed up and we ran out of the boxes. A great problem to have. We try to give out a gospel brochure as we can. Please pray.

Jenny and Ashley in the Nursing School with Operation Christmas Child.

Matt in the Law school. 

Nursing Student get together

It is fun to get student and Christian leader together. Three nursing students enjoyed a meal with Nursing Christian Fellowship director Mary Thompson. It was a wonderful evening. Mary is in Madison at the InterVarsity headquarters and this has become an annual November event for our nursing fellowship.

Students benefit as they have contact with those who live out their faith in their chosen profession.

We are off to the Medical Missions Conference in Louisville, KY this weekend. There are three other members of our NCF group who will attend.

Nursing student get together with Nursing Christian Fellowship director Mary Thompson. 

Med students share their Mission trips with the school

On Thursday, eight students shared about their summer missions trips taken the summer before. We really had a great turn out. As always, it helps to serve ice cream before hand and fun as well.

In all, four trips were represented : Nigeria, Dominican Republic, Honduras and Guatamala. I was proud of the way that our students shared about their missions trips. No soft soaping about why they were there.

If you feed them, they will come. A little ice cream to enjoy before and during the presentations.

Students share about their Guatamala trip. 

Students share about the Honduras trip.  

U of Wisconsin Madison Collision of Ideas - Gay Marriage

Across Wisconsin, there is a battle raging which will find its focus in the polls. On the ballot is a referedum which says to vote yes is to write a state constitutional amendment which defines marriage as only between a man and woman. To vote no, is to refuse this special constitutional amendement. And the battle is raging across the state and across the campus. In this liberal place, any yes vote is not looked upon in a good light and those of us who consider yes to be the only answer can experience intimidation. Not me, I am too old to be buffaloed under by any so called peer pressure. But it is very real for students.

The most frightening thing that I have learned about this whole issue is that the No people including our major just believe it is a matter of time that gay marriage will happen. The mayor has said publically - just let it get voter into law, you (young people) will just repeal that law in ten years.

The campus has all types of people. Those who are very radical and strong in their approach to non Christians talk with students who don't agree and thing that gay marriage is fair. 

Young students are idealist and liberal on this campus. And they encourage you to vote to to defining marriage as one man and one woman.