Can I join you?

It's been a while since I've had something happen and instantly felt "I need to put this on my blog". So... finally... here is something that happened, just yesterday, on campus that I need to share.

Teia and I have been meeting for discipleship for a little over a month now and usually meet in the education annex of UMD. I like this spot because it's usually quiet enough to pray, but not where you feel disruptive while talking. Also, I like being around education stuff... my major hasn't been forgotten since graduation that's for sure.

Anyway, yesterday we began discipleship and were opening with meditative prayer as usual. I decided to lead with the story of Christ's birth found in Luke's Gospel (Luke 2:1-20). Usually, I begin by reading through the story, and then going back and prompting some ideas that stick out to me to guide whoever I'm praying with. So here's what happened...

Me: "...While they were there, the time came for her to have her child.."
Professor: "Excuse me, do you mind if I join you?"
Me: "No, that's fine."

So this professor takes a seat and I continue... I read the rest of the story, share some thoughts on the shepherds' perspective... think about it, they got front row seats at the birth of the Messiah!...  and then close in a short prayer.

As we finish, Teia and I make the sign of the cross and our new friend also does so. He then asks if it was a Catholic Bible (it was) and shares that he is also Catholic. It turns out, his family is beginning their own Christmas tradition this year apart from his and his wife's families. "Maybe we will include a reading of this story in our new tradition," he said. All I could think was... YES that is so great. Expose those kids to Scripture!

We continued to chat and Dan, our new friend, shared that he teaches various education classes at UMD and before that had taught at a Catholic school in Central America. He was currently just stepping out of his class so his students could do their semester evals and appreciated a chance to hear a "beautiful story." It was so encouraging to both Teia and I, not only to know there are awesome Catholic professors on this campus, but also to hear how awesome he thought it was that we took the time to read Scripture.

Dan went back to class and Teia and I proceeded with discipleship, talking about Christmas and her bible study she will be starting next semester.Yet, I couldn't get over how awesome it was that he joined us for prayer!

One last thing to share... which I haven't yet done for all you blog readers... I'm going to Guyana next summer for a mission trip with FOCUS! I found out about 2 weeks ago and have been so excited! To hear Dan talk about his experience in Central America was awesome in light of this new opportunity I have been given to travel and do mission work abroad. It's so beautiful how things work out sometimes....