The Cornerstone

Hi all! I just finished typing an update for my home church's newsletter, called The Cornerstone and thought I would share what I wrote here as well. I grew up (well, from 5th grade on as this is when my family moved to Oakdale) in the Community Christian Reformed Church. I have so many GREAT memories of this church body and am so thankful to have their prayer and financial support as I head into ministry. What a blessing it is to be the first directly sent full-time missionary from this church. But more so, what a blessing it is to see and hear how the Lord is using this faithful group of people in big ways for His glory in the Central Valley!

August 11, 2007

Dear church family,

Summer is flying by! After graduating from Cal Poly in June many changes and new adventures started to take place. I began my summer nannying job for a family with 3 kids (going into 4th, 2nd, and K). I’ve learned a lot of things, one being that I have no desire to own a Mercedes after getting to drive theirs (this works well with the Lord’s plans for ministry, I don’t think fancy cars are in my future). I have also learned, and will probably need to learn again and again, that money cannot buy happiness although we are still tempted to try. All in all, I must say that this job has been a great way for me to pay the summer bills but also that I am looking forward to finishing with them next week.

Another form of change this summer was moving. I have discovered that I really dislike moving! I moved out of the house I lived in for 2 years at the end of June, house-sat for July, and moved into my new apartment (with my wonderful roommate Rebecca, an Oakdale native also) in the beginning of August. I still have boxes in my room and lots of things to get organized but it feels good to stay put for a while. I am living on a very busy college street. . .surrounded by neighbors who like to party, and not just on the weekend. I also have a breathtaking (not really) view of Highway 1 from my bedroom – buying ear plugs is on my to-do list! Some positives are that I have my own room, the rent is good (for SLO at least), and Cal Poly is a short bike ride away.

A new adventure that kicked into full gear after graduation has been the support raising process that must be complete before I begin full-time ministry with Campus Crusade for Christ at Cal Poly and Cuesta. Never have I been more challenge in taking a step of faith as I have been lately. It has been so amazing to see the Lord provide (I am currently at 88%. . .but prayerfully at 100% by the time you read this) yet it most certainly has not been an easy process. One of the main struggles for me has been making phone calls. I have experienced many a discouraging moment trying to call people only to hear the phone ring and then go to voice mail time and time again. A verse that I was so encouraged by a few days ago says, “On the day I called, you answered me” (Psalm 138:3). I am so thankful that the Lord does not have Caller ID or an answering machine!

And now summer is already wrapping up. One more week of nannying and then I head back to Oakdale for about a week and a half. I am looking forward to being home and recharging with the family before I begin ministry on September 2nd. The first thing on the agenda is a staff and student leader retreat in Three Rivers (at a great place we get to use for free in the Sierras). When we get back from a time of planning, praying, and praisin’ the Lord WOW week (Week of Welcome for incoming students, like the lovely Hitch girls) will begin and that’s when we hit the ground running. Fall quarter will be an intense time of reaching each and every student with the good news of Christ and for mobilizing the believers in the Word, in unity and in love. I am so excited to keep you posted on how the year goes. Thanks for your support, both prayerfully and financially – I am blessed in more ways then my mind can even comprehend. See you soon!

Love, Arijaan Bulk