the sweetest tea

(I won't fear what tomorrow brings/ With each morning I'll rise and sing/ My God's love will lead me through/ You are the peace in my troubled sea.)

Dear friends,

I wanted to start off this post with a prayer for all of you. Many of you may not know it yet because I just posted my summer news to Facebook haha, but you are very cherished to me. You are loved and important, and God is with you always. I pray that you are reminded of these things and feel peace in the midst of your week.

Man, I have had such a long week. Exams and papers have been heavy on my thoughts and schedule lately, but I think I might have survived the last storm at least for a while.

I have some neat updates about my summer project journey! I took the plunge and mailed in my confirmation packet and $200 nonrefundable housing deposit this past Monday. That deposit in itself, sadly, wipes out my entire bank account (not including my savings), but I am still really hopeful about God providing for me and raising enough support for my summer.

Another exciting thing is that I have found an amazing potential job opportunity down in Charleston! We are permitted to work a small job during our project (it is scheduled into our week), and I have been praying for a place that I could work at and minister to that is not McDonald's haha. Cruising the internet, I found an opening for a gelato scooper in downtown Charleston. GELATO, friends. That is the dream- I could not have asked for a happier fit for me. I am sending in my application tomorrow, but if this opportunity does not work out with my project's guidelines, I can always look forward to God finding a good place for me to work this summer.

In Him,
MacKenzie

committed (an introduction)

Hello, family and friends! Hello, world! My name is MacKenzie Rich. :) I am a sophomore studying French and Business Administration at the University of Louisville. I have really enjoyed college thus far- I have learned a lot, I have made great friends, and I have grown exponentially in my Christian faith. During my career at UofL, I wanted to grow spiritually while also making a difference in the world and for others. Because of this desire, I have chosen to be involved with a Christian organization called Cru.

Cru has been actively involved with turning students into Christ-centered laborers since 1951. Cru is very active at UofL and also across many campuses in the U.S. and overseas. The Lord has used this ministry to grow my faith as well as grow my heart for serving others.

At the end of 2013, I began considering how I was going to spend my summer in a way that would honor God and allow me to grow in my relationship with Him. I was considering a quick 2-week mission trip building houses for the unfortunate in New Jersey. My parents wanted me to get a job and work in order to get money and work experience. But upon seeing outreach and evangelism with Cru first hand over the last several months, I knew that I wanted something much greater for my summer.

This summer, I have the awesome, fun, AMAZING opportunity of taking part in a summer mission project sponsored by Cru. I will be going with approximately 40 other students to Charleston, South Carolina ("the Holy City") for 9 weeks this summer. Our group will be involved with outreaches on the beach and in the local community. I will also be in a small group bible study and discipleship ministry. I desire above all else to use my summer to increase my understanding of God's Word, deepen my relationship with Him,  and reach others with the good news of the Gospel. I am so very excited and nervous about this opportunity! I know that my faith will be stretched and grow as I step out in faith and do things I have never done before.

As you can imagine, raising the necessary funds for this trip will be one of the greatest steps of faith I take in preparation for this summer. I need a total of $4000 which covers room and housing, food costs,  and project materials for the summer. I will be partaking in a journey of ministry partner development as well as fundraising, praying for God to provide and to bless those that choose to finance God's mission of my being a witness for Him.

I am hoping to use this blog to write about my experiences not only regarding the preparation process but also updating my ministry partners about my summer. I am so excited to share in this experience with you all!

God bless!
MacKenzie

P.S. my blog name, pressing on, comes from Philippians 3:14 "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."