I (Chelsea) had an amazing year on campus! God brought some great young ladies into my life and gave me the opportunity to invest in their lives. They have been such an encouragement to me, and its been a privilege to walk with them during their first year of college.

One young lady, Rylee (pictured with her boyfriend, Tyler) sent me this email several months ago. I share it with you as a testimony of what God is doing in the lives of college students in Omaha, NE.

“I just wanted to take some time and really thank you for all you have done for me already that you probably do not see. I honestly was not planning on attending Cru or Bible study, but I felt bad saying no to you. So that is the first thing I would like to thank you for! You made an effort to reach out to me and it made the biggest difference. You are the first leader I’ve had throughout everything (youth group, church camp, etc.) in which I feel absolutely no judgment. I also would like to thank you for encouraging us to read our Bibles. That is one thing I have NEVER been good at, but now I am excited about it and see what a huge difference it can have on my life each and every day. I also love the fact that you are constantly challenging me to take that next step in my relationship with God. You have been so incredibly great with helping me try to decide where God wants me this summer. I really do appreciate the insight you have given me and it has been extremely helpful. Finally, I would like to let you know that if it were not for you, I honestly think I would be transferring schools next year, but you said to me at the beginning of the school year that God placed me at UNO for a reason and I have never forgotten that. I have discovered that reason: I have grown closer to God in the last 2.5 months than I probably have in the last 6 years combined.”

Rylee continues to pursue an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus. She is going on the Myrtle Beach, SC Summer Project in June, and God has laid on her heart the desire to lead a Bible study in the fall at UNO.

It’s humbling and a great honor to be used by God in the lives of students. Even more so, it’s exciting to see them lay their lives down and willing go where God leads.