I want to start to say thank
you for supporting me for the past couple years and being there every step of
the way. I am so thankful for this experience of trying to rise support to go
to college because it really showed me how many people are always praying for
me and supportive in my walk and actually believe in me that God would do
amazing things in my life. The month of January was already an interesting
month and a good start for the semester.
Two weeks ago, I had the privilege
to be a part of a minority meeting with President Paul Nyquist, the dean of
admissions, dean of distant learning, dean of financial aid and three other
students to discuss how to bring more minorities into the student body of Moody
Bible Institute. The meeting covered the topics of how to recruit minorities,
discuss how our experience at Moody was and what we like and what work Moody
has to work on, also scholarships for minorities.
I was assigned for Practical
Christian Ministry for Moody to work in a 3-hour open gym at Church in West
ridge. I have been going there every Friday for the past three weeks and I learned
that I am way out of shape to keep on hustling for the ball with inter-city
kids. A lot of kids are involved in Gangs and by their flashing gang signs I was
able to point out there are around 3 different gangs: Latin kings, cobras and
gangster disciples. Can you pray that I would be able to use my testimony to
connect with them, build relationships with some of the them and share the
gospel to them.
This week I attended my
first ever Founder’s week at Moody Bible Institute. We had amazing speakers
that talked about Running the Race. All of us had different starting places and
run in different paces. A lot of people start the race strong but could take a
detour, others stay comfortable in their lives and never took a step of faith.
The biggest question is how are you going to finish the race?
There were two main messages
that really spoke to me and convicted me. One speaker gave an illustration that
I have been thinking about. The illustration that he gave was that while we sin
the devil gives us lose rope until it causes the most destruction in our lives and
pulls the rope and at that point our lives fall apart. The second speaker
talked about lamenting. Overall we (the church) have lost the gift of lamenting
through the hard times. A lot of us believe that it’s bad to question what’s
going on but our God is bigger than our questions. In Psalm 42 when King David
is being mocked by enemies when they ask David “where is your God?” David
responded by saying “I don’t know but I will praise Him because I know He is
working. (Paraphrased)
Financial Update:
Currently I owe $11,700 in my student loan that I took to
come to Moody. I am not worried because God has and will provide for all my
needs. I am applying at a couple places
trying to pay back my loan as soon as possible. I am still praying for God to
show me if he wants me to work in the warehouse or a summer camp in the summer.
Pray for God to show me clearly. If you find it in your heart to donate int his cause then donate to
Additional prayers:
For God to keep me on working me and teaching about
sacrifice by living for Him and not for myself anymore.
To keep on softening my hearts towards my dad and for God
to heal the scars that he has made on my heart.
For me to find a job
To help me become that man that God wants me to be
instead of what people want me to be.
In the midst of the good and bad times to trust on God and
find my peace only through Him
Trusting in God provision
Orlando Blanco
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