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We trust you are doing well. We are fine. Our summer has been very pleasant. The children have really enjoyed their time off of school. They have spent a lot of time outside with friends.
Dave has taken some time off of his regular responsibilities to focus on connecting with current and future ministry partners. He has thoroughly enjoyed catching up with many of you. We have seen some new financial support come in and we are trusting God will provide all we need.
 About a year ago, Student Venture began transitioning the training that the new staff complete during their first two years. In the past, the training curriculum was notebook based. It will now be based primarily online. Lynn has spent time this summer helping fine tune the new training and ensuring the proper material is being covered.
Normally, we share more of the “big picture” of what God is doing within Student Venture. This month, we wanted to share about one changed life. Hopefully, this will show you how God is moving in thousands of other lives all over the country.
Natalie began coming to Student Venture with her boyfriend. Natalie didn't really have girl friends to hang out with, so she would quietly hide behind him and stay at his side.
She also came with many reservations to the Christian faith. Over time, two freshmen girls embraced Natalie into their friendship group. They began meeting in a small group with me in January. The first time we met, Natalie asked me not to call on her. I was happy to let her soak it all in as she had never experienced a small group discussion about the Bible before. The next time we met, Natalie had an earful to say about the objections she had to the Christian faith. One of her objections was the nature of the Bible - can we trust it? Wasn't it written so long ago that now it is irrelevant? I prayed much for wisdom; the girls offered their points of view, and I gave her room to wrestle with her doubts while offering some answers to her objections. And she allowed us to pray for her as a group. She continued to come, feeling accepted to come as she is, with all of her doubts.
At the last small group I had with her in May, we went around and shared prayer requests. I always would brace myself for what Natalie would say, and often she didn't want to share anything. This time, Natalie shared she believes Jesus is God, and now she has a desire to read the Bible regularly! She asked if we would pray that God would help her to understand it! It was beautiful! The girls offered to study the Bible with her this summer.
 When I think about Natalie's transformation, I am amazed at how much God has changed this girl's heart in a semester. She came to us so hard-hearted towards Jesus, and as we closed the semester, I observed her genuinely singing worship songs to Him. Natalie did not initially feel comfortable going to a church, but because Student Venture happened to be at her school, she 'stumbled upon' a relationship with God. And now, she is excited to go to church and youth group with her friends and grow in her relationship with God!
We are grateful for your partnership with us in the Lord’s work. Thanks for enabling us to be a part of so many changed lives. |
Dave and Lynn Meritt
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Dave, Lynn, Justin, Jeremy,
Julie and Jamie Meritt * 14325
Estrella Dr. Orlando, Florida 32837
(407) 850-9453 * Campus Crusade for Christ/Student Venture * Acct. No. 0354725 www.svlinc.com/homepages/meritt
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