Saturday, June 24, 2006

Arijaan in Amesterdam

We've sent college students all over the world this summer. . . close to 10 to 10 different places I'd say (I'll work on an exact number.) Arijaan Bulk is one of them. She left for Amsterdam yesterday to go work in a Christ-centered Youth Hostel where she will share Jesus with those who come through the house. Sounds like a very exciting ministry.

Arijaan has started a blog to share her adventure . . .Arijaan's Adventures in Amsterdam!

So since I'm on this "Flat World" kick and thinking about self-organizing social networks, I had an idea. . . . we ought to have a College Mission's Blog where all those who are on trips this summer can log-in at one place to share their "what's going on" with the larger church family. Rather than everyone creating their own blogs, let's create a shared space. . . . Wouldn't you love to hear what's going on in all these places among all these peoples?

A College Mission's Blog would build community by connecting travelling college students with one another and with the church back home. Extended friends and family might log in too and others on the internet, might stumble on to the site and recognize that God is at Grace and throughout the world. Would this not support our mission to Celebrate, Proclaim and Live the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the Central Coast and beyond?

Sure, not everyone traveling will have internet access, but my understanding is that internet access is more prevalent in other areas of the world. I bet most of the students traveling will have access.

This is, at least, one way to take advantage of a Flat World . . .

I pitched the idea to Pastor Steve. Let's see what he does with it. Time is of the essence, since many of the students have left or are leaving soon. (No pressure, Steve!)

6 comments:

Jeannett said...

Awesome idea. I think Grace needs to emphasize the idea that there is a world outside of San Luis Obispo, and even the U.S.. I think we're all pretty good about sending missionaries out, but I don't know how much we each truly understand the good that is happening in the world (myself included!). It's been so eye opening to be friends with the Heldts and get to know their family and their two boys from Ethiopia. I've always obviuosly known that the world is bigger than me, but I now have a new and more real understanding that Christ's love extends to even the littlest corners of the Earth and we should be doing everything we can to do the same. We have so many neat things going on at Grace, but I think some of it gets lost on the "average" congregation member unless they are personally involved. Let's keep making the world flatter everyday, and think beyond our little corner of Pismo & Osos! Keep sending out misssionaries, keep adopting more of those beautiful children, and let's be a light to others. I want people who look at Grace to see the diverse ways that God loves His people...and that it doesn't just mean sitting and listening to "some guy" talk. :0)

Way to go Arijaan!

Anonymous said...

If you go with the Wordpress blog architecture (free open source available via most hosting providers), it supports emailed blog entries. Just a thought. Hey I think even blogger may support this. It seems worth a look for those who may only have access to sending email. Just a thought.

Respectfully,

Anonymous

Lara Nichols said...

FYI, blogger does support emailed blogged entries.... Also, I think it would be a great idea to have a blog for all the students on mission trips through Grace to be able to post to. I would read it for sure...

P. Steve said...

Is it legit to get assignments via the blog while you're pastor is on vacation??? Is this another example of the flat world we are now living in? Well, either way, this ball is rolling--check out http://gracebeyond.blogspot.com/ in the coming days to see how the students I've invited to participate respond. I think this'll be sweet!

P.Steve

Yeo said...

Just wanted to say hey. I'm in Amsterdam working with Arijaan. She's actually sitting right next to me typing up for the Grace Beyond site. It's awesome to see how many college students are heading out. Keep serving the One and Only.

Anonymous said...

Aww...doh, I was already out of the country by the time this post was made. Oh well, better luck next time.