very. . .

discouraged. Not having a car has been very difficult for me. My brother and I looked at 3 used cars yesterday and they were all terrible (I know little, thankfully my brother knows a lot, or else I would have drove away in a bad car). This is much harder and is taking much longer then I thought. Clearly I am very impatient and would rather be spending my time (and money!) in other ways. Keep praying please. . .

2 things for now

So, this afternoon I am going to look at a 2000 Jeep Cherokee. . .very similar to the one I totaled this summer. If you read this soon could you pray that God would make it clear if this is the car I should buy? It has been hard to be car-less. . .and this jeep is being sold at a great price. . .and it's green, doesn't get much better then that. I'll keep you posted!

Also, for those who like to read blogs. . .here's an interesting one that I found linked on a friend's blog - she recommended it and I do too: http://stufffchristianslike.blogspot.com/ I try to keep my blog intake down to a manageable amount but this one just has to be added to the list!

A text, VBS, and many answered prayers

Hello again! Well, it's been a busy week - God is up to a lot worldwide I've just been reminded of that in my own life and the places I'm connected to. For example, on Tuesday night I got a text (oh technology. . .sometimes I like you and sometimes I don't) from one of the sweet girls in my action group at Santa Monica Summer Project (the students are still there, laboring away!) that read "4 PEOPLE CAME TO JESUS TONIGHT! PRAISE JESUS!" When I was able to call the girls back later in the evening I had the joy of talking with each of them. The first 4 weeks of project 5 people came to know the Lord through various initiative evangelism tools - very exciting. . .but for a typical stateside summer project this number is low - goes to show that the climate and people in Santa Monica is not very receptive to the Gospel. SO, to have 4 people come to know the Lord in one night, through 4 separate conversations, is HUGE and the students were so encouraged and energized to see the Lord work in this way.

Well, I have also seen the Lord at work here at my home church in Oakdale. This week is Vacation Bible School and around 140 kids have been showing up each night, so awesome! I am the "Bible Blast" teacher (it's a science theme this year) and my role is to bring the Bible story of the day to life. I've done things like given them leprosy, used mud to heal them of blindness, and let them walk on water! Well, last night was about the cross and how Jesus has taken the punishment for our sins upon himself and if we believe in Him we can live with Him forever. Pretty weighty and I definitely spent time in prayer headed into last night because I knew that this night could potentially be the most impactful and life-changing night for the kids. At one point I pray with the kids and ask them to raise their hand slightly if they would like to believe in Christ - MANY raised their hand each time (4) that I taught this lesson last night. . .the Holy Spirit was definitely at work in these young lives and it was so neat to be a broken but usable vessel for the Lord as He spoke through me (the curriculum is extremely well written - I highly recommend the "Group" company for any church's VBS!). Yes, God is on the move!

And I also see Him at work in my own life. On Monday I was in the middle of my morning jog (summer is great - there's time to get plenty of exercise!) and was praying to God about my times in the Word - didn't feel like I had much direction. Upon asking the Lord where I should turn, the Lord instantly placed the book of Isaiah on my mind. I kinda grumbled because the old testament is hard for me to get through so I asked the Lord to show me how the Gospel rings true in Isaiah and that He would also give me scriptures in the new testament to tie in with what I'm reading. Well, I dove into Chapter 1 when I got home and had such a life-giving time in His Word, joyfully I saw the Gospel throughout the chapter and was able to draw out other verses that connected to what I read. God is so good to answer when I ask Him to move in ways that are according to His will. This refreshed me and I pray that you are finding refreshment in Him as well!

Pray about Partnering. . .

Hello fellow blog readers! Well, I am in the middle of trusting God to raise all the support needed in order for me to begin my 2nd intern year at UC Berkeley! Campus Crusade for Christ has no central funds and therefore each staff member (and intern) must raise a specific amount of financial support to cover a minimal salary, ministry expenses, insurance coverage and the like. Currently I am under 50% of my goal - I need to be at 100% when I report to my assignment on August 15th. My goal is higher then it was last year because the cost of living is higher in Berkeley then it was in San Luis Obispo.

Would you consider giving to the Lord's work at UC Berkeley by partnering with me, either monthly or with a special gift? Signing up to give is very easy. Simply click on the link that says "give online!" at the right-hand side of this blog or go to give.ccci.org All that you need to do from there is type in my name on the right side of the page and then the site will direct you on how to set up the giving at any amount you wish.

Would you also be praying that the Lord does a mighty work and completes my team of supporters on time?! I know this requires a lot of active faith on my part and yours. . .but I trust that we will see Him move and give Him all credit for the great things He has done!

(if you'd rather not give online, shoot me an email (arijaan.bulk@uscm.org) and I'll send you the giving forms via snail mail - it would be my pleasure!)

Oh, Oakdale!

I've been home since Sunday. . .here are some things I am thoroughly enjoying:

- eating vine-ripened, sun-warmed cherry tomatoes in the garden
- kayaking down (a small part of) the Stanislaus River
- catching up with good friends on the phone
- going for rides with my mom in her '73 convertible volkswagon bug
- no cavities at the dentist
- swimming laps at the community pool, so refreshing
- homemade fruit smoothies, yum-o
- warm evenings
- time to read a book
- morning walks through the country
- my family's wireless internet
- my family

Last Day. . .

Wow - where has the time gone? Today is the last day the staff will be here. It's my turn to bring snack to our staff meeting (fruit and yogurt parfaits) so I'm almost on my way to the grocery store BUT I wanted to write quickly. Things have been going well - especially because the staff won the softball game on Saturday! :) Sunday night's women's time was awesome, we learned about the journey that we're on and where we're headed, and got to make fun beaded bracelets with each bead signifying something on our journey. Monday night's main meeting was really fun and then we, as leaders of it, snuck away to train the new student leaders (everyone's role is a surprise until tonight, hence the sneaking around!). Tuesday evening was the international dinner which is really a demonstration of the abundance of the Gospel (and Gospel resources. . .Bibles, book, music, churches) in some countries (mainly America) in contrast to others (Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and hidden people groups). The Gospel was symbolized by meat - America got a lot of meat, the Middle East got none for example. Eventually the students caught on and began to travel and try to take the meat (the Gospel!) to unreached people groups around the world. A powerful night. . .that's probably easier to explain in person. Last night was my last time with my Bible study girls as a whole. I had them over on the roof to paint picture frames. . .and I had a picture of us developed in black and white to give to them. Then we walked along the beach to Bubba Gumps. . .our bill was super cheap because one of the girls works there and gets 4 meals free!! Then back to my apartment for a little reflection time and prayer. Then, the guy's Bible study came over, we made yummy banana boats and played telephone pictionary - so fun! And now it's Thursday. :( Staff meeting, last discipleship time (doing vision plans for each student has been so special), setting up and decorating for the commissioning dinner, and then commissioning the students into their new roles on project. Exciting, tiring, sad, but good day ahead. I am also so ready to go home, be with family, and rest for a bit. Have a blessed day!

My last week. . .

This is sad - on project the start of every week is a Thursday. . .so we, as staff, are already in our last week here. I am continually reminded of one thing I will NOT miss and that's trying to drive and part in Santa Monica. . .but on the flip side there will be a lot I will miss! So, we are going out with a bang (similar to the glorious firework bangs I heard last night - I LOVE fireworks and got to go see them with a very dear college friend and her family on my day off yesterday) by doing all sorts of great, prayerfully life-changing, activities this week. Tonight we have the staff vs. student softball game. I'm not going to lie, I'm a little nervous for 2 reasons. . .I have no softball skills (I was terrible when I played on a team as a little girl, a child's parent on the team even said so) and I really am not competitive. We'll see how it goes. :) The main purpose behind the game is to unify the students as we prepare to leave (they'll still be here for 4 more weeks). Sunday night we are doing a very nice women's event - not sure all that it'll entail other then food and dressing up but I'm sure, as usual, the content will be great as well. Monday night is the last Main Meeting where staff will be present - I'm on the team that puts these on and we want this night to be very high energy. Tuesday night is the International Dinner (something they do every year). . .I'm not going to write too much about it right now in case I have any student readers - all I'll say is that it's supposed to be an amazing life-changing evening. Wednesday night we have our last action group Bible study - we'll even go out to dinner together before and do some other special things, once again I'll go into more detail later. Lastly, Thursday night is the Commissioning Dinner which I am helping to put on (I'm in charge of all the decorations and other purchases) - this is the night we say goodbye to all the students and pass on the baton in terms of leadership. Every single student on project (72!) will have some sort of role when we leave. I'm so excited for what the Lord is going to do in them and through them when we're gone. God has already done so much but I know He has even greater things in store for them. Oh, and then during the daytime I'll be in meetings, prepping, and have really special discipleship appointments with each of my 5 girls. Will it all get done? Lord willing! Pray for rest, focus on Him, and simply finishing well for His name's sake. Thanks! Oh to write a couple of post cards and then get ready for the softball game. . .oh dear.

It's July!

Once again, there's a lot to update you on - good stuff though! I'll try to be brief. . .try is the key word. :) Physically I'm doing great! The knee is no longer sore and the scrapes are healing well. Emotionally things were rough right after the accidents because I was having a lot of flash backs to both incidents. I'm over that hump and definitely feeling more like myself - Praise God! Spiritually, I am being stretched and encouraged a lot here and it's definitely causing growth. I am relying on the Lord a lot and seeing Him refine and sanctify areas of my life - this is good!

My roommate of the past year got married this past weekend. It was a huge honor and blessing to be a bride's maid in the wedding. It was beautiful in countless ways. A huge highlight is that during the ceremony 7 guests either prayed to receive Christ or rededicated their lives! It was also super fun reconnecting with some high school friends and getting to stay with a sweet family from church was such a treat. . .as well as helpful in getting some quality rest. Got back in time on Sunday to have lunch with the impact group, go sharing, have the impact group over for a BBQ on the roof, and then womens time - so much happens on any given day!

Today was such an amazing and life-giving day. . .a day that reminded me of how much I love my job and the privilege it is to be a part of the Lord's work in the lives of college students. We had our staff women's time in the morning. . .discussed leadership positions that need to be filled as we prepare to leave next week as well as swapped ideas in terms of what we've experiences in our years of campus ministry. I have so much to learn! Then, I had discipleship with Vanessa, so good once again. Really learned that I am very much a verbal processor and that I need to seek out a godly woman wherever I go to talk all aspects of life with. Then I met with one of my students, Flora, for discipleship - so good. Got to speak some gracious truth into her life. After running a couple errands (driving in Santa Monica takes forever and is getting annoying) it was time to head to the church for dinner and briefing on the evening's outreach. Super cool because Crusade's national team sent people out to lead us through using a brand new tool for evangelism - the use of short films to initiate conversation. Chris and I went out to put it to practice and after getting denied numerous times we got into a great conversation with Mary Lou visiting from Montreal. We showed her a video on forgiveness (laptops and i-pods were used, the wonders of portable technology!), asked for her feedback, and jumped into great conversation about how Jesus chose to forgive us of our sins and how this forgiveness is extended freely to all of mankind to receive by faith. Though she did not make a decision for Christ tonight she was fully engaged in the conversation and was definitely moved further in her journey to coming to know the Lord. We exchanged emails and I'm excited to see what comes of that! After spending some time debriefing this experience we broke up into our action group Bible study. . .tonight we looked at justification, sanctification, and glorification - a mouthful of very important doctrine as we desire to live out the Christian life. The girls and I are growing so close as we dig deep into God's Word and His plan for our life.

Wow - not brief as usually. . .and there's so much more I could write as usual. Time for bed! Tomorrow will be another full day and I'm so excited to see how God wants to use it for His glory!