GroshLink

Dear Brothers-and-Sisters in Christ,

In a few minutes I'll finish packing and head to Camp WoMeTo, Jarrettsville, MD for the Mid-Atlantic Graduate Student Winter Retreat. As conference director I've had a number of last minute details and conversations which have taken my attention for the past several days, in the midst of a number of other projects. Pray for my safe travel, strength for various situations which will arise, and preparation for leading a Sunday morning reflection upon Psalm 120-122 based upon material from Eugene Peterson's A Long Obedience in the Same Direction

Some items to remember in prayer over the course of the next several days:

1. Safe travel for the 44 registered delegates (and anyone else that might decide to join them at the last minute) who will be coming from schools in Baltimore, D.C., and Philadelphia. AND not just physically safe travel, but that the conversations (and music) in the car would be edifying to heart, mind, and soul.

2. Most students will register between 8-9pm so we start rolling at 9pm with some get-to-know time. We've worked hard on trying to use this time to bridge the rich diversity of cultures/countries, personalities, disciplines and campuses which will be represented at the retreat. Pray for the Spirit to 'break down walls' and open conversations/relationships in order for the retreat's environment to be welcoming to those unfamiliar with the United States, camp grounds, and Christian community (note: we have some seekers, including internationals from other countries, joining us for the weekend). Pray also that we'll get a good rest tonight in order to make the 8am breakfast and 9am study of Psalm 139.

3. For participants to humbly come face to face with 'The God Who Knows and Journeys with His People' (even on campus) as we lay ourselves open to the Spirit guiding us in reading, observing (letting the text soak in), interpretting/understanding, and applying the Psalms. Feel free to join us by meditating upon some of the Psalms which we'll be considering: 1, 67, 100 during devotional times AND Psalm 139, 32, 46, and 120-122 during the teaching sessions. Lift me up that I won't get 'lost in the details.' Note: For more of a feel for the retreat as you lift the time up in prayer go here.

4. Financial resources to cover the retreat. In order to make the retreat affordable, we're subsidizing the overall rate and providing some significant scholarships to international students who lack financial resources. I anticipate a need of $500-750, but it will depend on how the registrations unfold. If you desire to assist by giving a donation marked to support 'GFM Mid-Atlantic Conferencing,' let me know and I will give you a more specific figure at the end of the retreat when all the finances have been wrapped up.

May God richly bless you as you grow more and more into the image of Christ Jesus,

Tom Grosh, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship Mid-Atlantic Faculty Ministry Catalyst

PS. Financial support for this strategic ministry should be directed to "InterVarsity Christian Fellowship" P.O. Box 7895, Madison, WI 53707-7895. Please enclose a separate piece of paper indicating that the gift is for the work of "Tom Grosh." On-line giving can be found here

Students and Faculty Transformed, Campus Renewed, and World Changers Developed.