Jen Peet's Update

In need of a Savior
Halloween in Isla Vista is unlike anything else. This year for Halloween we wanted to provide a place for both students in our movement to go to and also a safe place for party-goers to come and rest and be cared for. Our “Halloween Haven” looked much like any other party in Isla Vista that weekend on the outside. But instead of alcohol, we had water bottles and hot chocolate and a fire pit to keep warm. It was so much fun to see our students enjoying each other while at the same time caring for and engaging with the many others that came. God was at work that night. It the midst of so much darkness, the Gospel was shared and new friendships were formed.

To give you a little more of a picture of what really goes on, I will do my best to recount a story from the night. As I was sitting by the fire pit, I noticed that a girl nearby had just fallen and appeared to be very intoxicated. She was with her sister and both of them were not feeling very good at all as I held the one girls hair back while she threw up. A couple of guy students and I offered to take them to a station that is set up for those who are severely intoxicated so that they are not taken advantage of. All we wanted to do was help them and sadly they didn’t want help. As they stumbled away, all we could do was pray for them. One of the guys simply said at that moment, “I wonder if this is how Jesus feels sometimes. He wants to help us and he says he offers us life that is so good, but instead so many of us turn away and walk right back into our sin.” The three of us just stood there after he said that just thinking about the life that Jesus offers us. He is SO GOOD!

Fall is here. . .
Isn’t it fun to see the leaves changing colors? I love this time of year and the colors it brings!
A few weeks ago we had our annual Fall Retreat. Over 130 students came with us for an amazing time of community and growing in the Lord.

On Sunday morning we spent a short time sharing about the weekend. One student, Cliff, shared with tears in his eyes, that this was the first time he had ever experienced real love and care and friendship from people who called themselves Christians. Cliff at this point, as far as I know, does not have a relationship with Jesus, but he continues to see more and more of who Jesus is. We are all praying that he comes to know Jesus as his own. What a neat moment that was for me to hear him share. God is definitely at work in his life and the lives of many others.

“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it abundantly.” John 10:10
God offers us so much. God offers us so much. Now just take a moment from your busy day and just sit in the fact that Jesus didn’t come just so that we could get through each day, but so that we could be used by Him and have abundant life in Him.

Jen Peet
39 Sonoma Ave
Goleta, CA 93117
jen.peet@uscm.org