June 2024 update

 Ciao!

Hey guys, it's been a heck of a summer. I'm excited to download y'all on the amazing things I've experienced as a result of God's provision. First, please read the student testimony from Jonathan at Richland College. 

The Truth and Beauty Project: Christian Immersion trip to Rome:

For 6 days in June, a group of 13 including focus alumni, current focus students, and myself and Grant traveled to Rome for a Spiritual Formation Immersion. There's a non-profit that one of our Denton alumni is connected to called the Truth and Beauty and Project. The founders of this non-profit are passionate about young adults intentionally living out their faith to the Lord through their vocation. This trip is aimed helping young people discern the direction God is calling them to, empowering young people to be faithful with the talents God has given them to bless others, and to mature them in their faith through connecting with historical Christianity in Rome via Christian art, Christian architecture, Christian history, Christian philosophy, Christian hospitality (and more), and coming away understanding the story of Jesus and his purpose for humanity better. That's a mouthful but it's true.

We also got to connect with Christian scholars on topics like bioethics and trans-humanism. We did a writing workshop and a communication workshop. And each of us received a mentor to meet with via phone call or zoom every so often post immersion. 

Our entire group was granted a scholarship to be able to go. We are all so thankful! I'm excited to see how this trip will impact our communities. 

The question they asked us at the beginning of the week is "Where does your passion (burden) intersect with the needs of the world?". 

Several students said they wanted to live out Christian hospitality more explicitly, a fashion design student said she wanted to do a fashion show at UNT based on Christian ideas of the body, I felt led to co- mobilize the efforts the students want to enact, several wanted to commit to scripture more so that they could live from it the way the non-profit organizers did, a few wanted to dream bigger dreams for God, another wanted to take the next step with music as a means of ministry. 

One of my biggest takeaways was being in Vatican city, surrounded by hundreds of years old solid and beautiful architecture, that was free to take in and enjoy by all. There are these massive columns that surround Vatican city, and they represent God giving a hug to his people. And under the shade by the columns were the poor of Rome, some sleeping, some sitting, some asking for need. A criticism of Roman architecture has been "With all this money they used to build this, surely they could have just given it to the poor?" But as I thought about that criticism and saw how this architecture designed by Bernini has lasted almost 800 years, I thought to myself, "Wow, 800 years of beauty and architecture meant to communicate truth about God has been providing beauty and shade for everyone, including the poor for almost 800 years, with no signs of giving out. They built something that would always bless and honor the poor for lifetimes to come."

I'm still processing the experience and I hope to be able to share with you more in person. Below are some photos from the immersion!

Madi, a UNT gal. Our T&B guides, Ashley and John, took us out to a gelato place that had 150 flavors. I got strawberry and pomegranate and nasty looks from those who prefer chocolate gelato.

We did outreach at St. Peters square! Theresa (with the guitar) was the only non-FOCUS student with us but it felt like we've known her forever. She's pursuing a degree in music ministry! To her right is Diana, a student leader here in Denton. I got to study the bible with her last year. To the left is Murphie, a current UNT gal, then Presley (UNT FOCUS alumni) and Jenna on the ground (TWU FOCUS alumni). I talked with a group of girls from Hong Kong and then a Croatian man about faith. Honestly, felt no different than doing outreach at UNT other than the setting. 

Ashley and John; the Truth and Beauty organizers, honored us with a big, delicious, home made Italian meal with the best ingredients they could find. We were so spoiled! 

St. Peter's Basilica

Ashley, talking with some students in the Lateran Baptistry: The Baptistry where Constantine was baptized! Constantine's conversion helped the gospel spread Westward and to legalize Christianity in the Roman Empire. Caden (recent UNT grad on the left), Markia (TWU alumni), and a Samantha (current UNT student). 

Antonette, a current UNT student! We were walking in Paul's footsteps here! 

The Colosseum. It was a heavy feeling being near the place where thousands of our christian ancestors were martyred, thousands more non-christians and animals were killed. I felt burdened and privileged to be so close to the many whose death brought even more to the faith. 

John, one of our intentionally fashionable shepherds for the week. He taught us on streets, buses, trains, churches, alleys, and more. This man's intellect blessed all of us much. 

If you'd like to know more about the Truth and Beauty Project, feel free to reach out! 

Prayer: 

Please continue to pray for our staff to be fully fundraised so we can work full time as campus missionaries, for the students we'll ask to lead this coming year, and for renewal and revival on campus. 

Thank y'all so much!

Shayla