Have you ever had one of those days or events when everything went exactly as planned, when you just knew that God was blessing the event? That’s what happened at the Noelle Hermes Foundation’s Amazing Race for Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) on May 20 in Newport Beach, California, a fundraiser to help pay for the many expenses for our daughter’s (Noelle) care, for other EB sufferers’ expenses and to help provide funds for research. Patterned after the award winning TV show The Amazing Race, there were 24 teams of five people each, over 50 volunteers, lots of spectators, six crazy events, tons of fun, a hilarious emcee, a few bruises, lots of great food, live band, photographers, great awards and raffle prizes. Over $75,000 was raised!! Not only that, but everybody loved the event and would love to come back if we do it again next year. Many thanks to you who helped support our foundation. Check out pictures on the website: www.noellehermes.org. We DEEPLY appreciate all the love and support from our AIA family. God is good ALL the time!
--SUZY HERMES, Campus, University of California, Irvine
God worked on me a lot at Urban Project. What an amazing month of learning through what Michael (Sylvester) taught and Mike Gunn, as well as what I experienced at Nickerson Gardens (a public housing apartment complex in Los Angeles where there is intense gang activity). A highlight for me was that Alli—a girl I discipled at University of Dayton—went on Urban Project. Within a week of being there she sat me down and explained how she finally realized she has her own mission field in her teammates and roommates. She plans on going back and being a leader with AIA and really pushing for more evangelism. This is a two-year answer to prayer for this girl! The AIA Principles and the SPECIAL really impacted her, too.
--ASHLEY WEST, Campus, University of Virginia
It was really encouraging to meet a student in East Asia whose great-great-grandfather was a part of the first house church in her hometown and whose grandfather now plants house churches in the towns and villages surrounding her hometown. It was such a privilege to see her accept Christ this summer as she finally understood the reason for Christ’s death.
--CHERYL LEE, Campus, Wilberforce and Central State Universities, Wilmington College
On the plane back from our volleyball tour, God placed me next to a Muslim lady. As Cheedum saw me reading Bill Bright’s “Discovering God’s Character,” she asked me what it’s about. We talked about God and Jesus and when she realized I believe Jesus is God and that I read the Bible, she was eager to read it with me. It was neat how God flipped the pages for me and put His words in my mouth. She was able to hear the gospel and that God wants to have a relationship with her. Our conversation was filled with truth as her heart connected with God’s Word. I was able to leave a Turkish Bible with her so that she could learn more on her own time. She didn’t accept Christ that day but God planted a seed for sure.
--AMY PRICE, Campus, Wright State University
The KU baseball team went to the Big 12 Tournament this year, and I went down that weekend in Oklahoma City to be with them. Players and coaches were excited that I made the trip; I even sat with the athletic director during the entire game. On another note, my weight loss is going well. I have lost a total of 39 lbs as of July 26, 2006. I also started up a Body by God class at my church. I team up with a friend of mine, and we teach this class to 53 people at a Wednesday night service. We tell them the importance of the right nutrition and daily exercise. I continue to laugh at God for having so much humor with me for placing this desire in my heart to begin sharing and teaching this class with people. A year ago I was standing in front of ALL of my AIA staff sobbing that I desperately needed help with my weight. Now, a year later I have a class at my church! How cool is that? My friend and I are considering doing this Body by God series up at KU to the athletes at our weekly meetings when school begins.
--JEFF SHAW, Campus, University of Kansas