Happy New Year!!

The Kriegs are now at home and recovering from the Winter Conference. What an encouraging time it was! God moved in many great ways and it would be too difficult to go into all the details here, but I'll share a couple ways how we witnessed God move. One way in which I saw God move was seeing God put a burden on the hearts of many students and staff to go to the mission field. I was so encouraged. I led a seminar for recruiting to Russia-Moscow in particular. We decided a couple of months ago to begin challenging the students and staff in our region to go to this city and join the effort to help reach the 1.2 million students there for Jesus Christ. At the time we weren't sure if there would be a team or not. We'll, at the conference I met three staff from Idaho: Josh, Kayla, and Laura who were determined to go and lead a team to Moscow this summer. During the breakout time when I asked the students how many would commit to go, 8 raised their hands. BOOM! Just like that we have laborers. It was just another reminder of the eagerness of students to help change their world for Christ. I haven't heard the final report yet, but there are MANY who are saying yes to overseas projects and missions opportunities! VERY VERY EXCITING!! I loved seeing students move closer in relationship to Christ. Right before our eyes lives were changing for all eternity!!! One girl came and accepted Christ into her life on Saturday. Sunday she was out on the streets of Portland and sharing her faith with others. Many others moved from passivity to a determination to grow and live by faith and even take their faith to others. Eternity is being impacted as these students grapple with Christ and offer themselves unreserved to HIM! We are physically drained right now yet joyful in the privelage to play a small part in what God is doing!!

Regional Conference--700 students expected

Please be in prayer for the 700+ students that will be descending upon Portland for the annual Winter Conference Dec 28- Jan 1. Pray that God's spirit would move mightily in our midst. Pray for those who don't know the Lord who will be attending that they would make their decision for Jesus this week. Pray for those who have fallen asleep in their faith that God would awaken them to a life of unreserved committment to Christ. Pray also for those whom God will call into ministry as they are challenged to consider the needs in world missions. I will be leading the Moscow seminar and sharing about the needs there. Pray that God would raise up enough students to fill up all of our summer project and one-year missions teams. Oh, and Happy New Year Everybody around the world. We love you!!

Santa's On His Way

We'll, here he comes. I'm so glad NORAD takes care of this for us common folk. Not sure why he skipped Russia though...oh, I guess its because that territory belongs to Ded Moroz(Father Frost). But at least Ded Moroz could have allowed Santa to use Russian Airspace. I guess these guys have strict rules about how they do business with one another.

Don't Waste Your Life!!! Piper is one of my heros. This clip is just what we need to hear. It motivates my heart to continue to move against the strong current in our American culture to coast through life, pad ourselves with comfort as a generation slips silently into a Christless Eternity. This should not be. We all are in the fight for our lives. Don't let yourself become a dull edge. Keep yourself Sharp! Don't Waste Your Life!!

A visit with Santa...Seaside, Oregon

On Saturday the Krieg's went out to Seaside. We decided to refuse to allow the weather to dictate our activity for the day. We met Santa in the Carousel mall. The kids had a funny conversation with him that went like this.

Santa[to Madison}: Ho, Ho, Ho,..we'll little girl, what would you like for Christmas?
Madison: I want lot's of princess stuff!
Santa: Ho, ho, ho...that's wonderful [to Brennan] and what would you like for Christmas young man?
Brennan: bad guys
Santa: oh! uh, er. we'll ok.

Overheard in Portland (PDX)

Oh ya just gotta love this town. Here is an overheard conversation in Portland from the poplular blog "Overheard in PDX"...great stuff!

Man with White Box, on phone: "Hey, it's me. I just got off the plane from LA, and I've got your In and Out burgers. So I'll see you later, or I'll just break into your house and put them in the fridge.- On the 12-Barbur to Sherwood--

visit to Kaunas, Lithuania

Matt, Krista, and I visited Lithuania this past week and had a very productive time with the campus team there. We were so encouraged to see how the team boldly is proclaiming the gospel among students. Wednesday night several students turned out for the bi-monthly "Agape" night. The gospel was presented in a way that really impacted me. The four points of the gospel presentation were as follows 1) God created you, 2)God loves you, 3) God lost you (i.e. discussion of sin and its consequences), and 4) God wants you back. Point #4 really touched me and reminded me just how passionate Jesus pursued me and continues to pursue me today. His love is magnificent!