“SNOW Much Hope” - by Cru: Lifelines
“Nothing bonds people together more than building and sleeping in a snow cave!” said Nicole, a senior at Oregon State who came winter camping with us this past February. Much of the heart of a Lifelines trip is to provide a space where Christians can invite their not-yet Christian friends to grow relationally and explore faith perhaps for the first time. Often, people for whatever reason are unwilling to say yes to an invite to church, Bible study, or Cru gathering. However, they just might be willing to come adventure with us in the outdoors! We then use the shared activities/adventure that we’re all participating in and connect it to sharing the Gospel and highlighting Biblical truths and concepts. Facilitating group conversations with folks who are eagerly seeking, skeptical, or anywhere in-between, is at the core of our time together. It is truly amazing to see the Holy Spirit use these trips/settings to drop the barriers and resistance people have to the Gospel.
This year, Nicole brought her friend Rachel, who has been in a place of spiritual curiosity and openness. There was a significant moment on the second day around the snow-built table in our pop-up yurt when Rachel said, “This trip has really helped me to rebuild trust with people of faith.” She had shared a bit of her past and how people of faith had hurt her as she was growing up. She went on to say, “I have been blown away by your kindness and also your helpfulness in clearly explaining God’s Word to me.” We had read the story of Zacchaeus in our morning devotional together. Rachel had asked great questions during that time and received answers that perhaps surprised her—as is true about the Gospel and God’s grace and truth.
Overall, this was a really sweet time with Christians and non-Christians present to adventure in God’s creation and explore who He is and why He’s worthy of following. Nicole and Rachel have been connecting and meeting together since our time out in the snow. Rachel still wrestles with doubts, questions, and lifestyle choices, and yet the Lord continues to be at work—pursuing her and using Nicole in the process. Praise God for a catalyst trip like snow camping and the role it’s played in Rachel’s story, which is still very much unfolding! Please continue to pray for our outreach to Rachel and the many other students like her.