| 2:8 Update |
May-June, 2009 | |
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Dear Friends,
Greetings once again from the 2:8 House and the OU Nazarene Student Center. We hope you enjoy this update about how God has been at work.
We completed the Spring Semester of ministry a few weeks ago, and we celebrated as Rhonda received her Ph.D. in English at the OU graduation ceremony. Several family members and friends joined us in the celebration. We also said goodbye to several other students who completed their degrees this semester. We thank God for the opportunity to invest in their lives while they were students here.
We also thank God for you. You will see that this newsletter has a theme of thanksgiving. God continues to assemble a team of individuals, churches and districts who provide prayer and financial support for the 2:8 House. We encourage you to continue to read the following articles as we share how God has been at work this past month. We thank God for you and your participation with us, as we seek to reach out to the University of Oklahoma campus.
LOVE WINS (and Boomer Sooner).
Dave & Rhonda Kyncl
Craig and Anita Shepperd
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 Spring Semester concludes with Finals Week lunches, graduation
Another semester came to a close in mid-May, as we served lunch Monday through Thursday during finals week. As in past years, we continued to meet new students throughout the week.
"When I was a student at KU, the Christian groups always ended their activities before finals began," Dave said. "I would often see various cult members or other fringe groups in the Student Union reaching out to students during finals. So, when we came to OU, we wanted to make sure we supported students through finals week. A daily, free lunch has done just that."
We received a special surprise this semester as several friends from the Mustang Church of the Nazarene provided homemade cookies and cakes to serve during the free lunches. In fact, they provided enough dessert to serve for more than two lunches! Thank you, our friends at the Mustang church! We posted a sign above the goodies to make sure the students realized the source of the gift.
In the top photo, a few graduate students enjoy playing the piano after a good lunch. The baby grand piano is located in the entry way adjacent to the living room. |
 Students express their thanks
A few weeks ago, we received a special package on our front porch.The package contained a framed cross painting and a hand-carved cross. A hand written, anonymous note was attached that read: "First, I would like to say thank you on behalf of all those you serve. I enjoy creating art and am pleased to give these small gifts to you. Your service to others has inspired me to give more of myself. Pray that our God, whom we serve in Jesus Christ, would enable us to Glorify Him to our fullest.--Unworthy but His"
Quoted below are two other notes received:
"Thank you so much for the meals you generously provide each week! I appreciae you opening up your home and serving us in this way. Your lunches have been one of the highlights of my week for the past two years at OU. I will miss seeing each of you." Jennifer Monsour (one of the 'piano people')
"Dave, I just wanted to say thank you for everything this past year. Thank you for taking time to just listen and give me your honest advice and feedback--it has been such a blessing to look back and think about some of the conversations we have had. I guess I thought that I 'opened up' before, but you really challenged me to be transparent and real with my faith. Before I always thought you had to put up a level of mystery and ambiguity to be successful in life--but I guess I'm realizing (and will most likely be learning this all my life) that success means nothing compared to what God provides. Thanks for just taking time with me." John
As you know, these "thank yous" are directed at each of you who partner with us in the 2:8 House! Thank you. |
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Financial support needed
In last month's newsletter, we mentioned a need for an additional $5,000 above our regular monthly giving. Thanks to the generous support of several churches and individuals, the funds were received just as they were needed.
Now that we transition to our summer activities, a few specific financial needs remain:
1) Regular Budget--We continue to need $2,000 in addition to our regular monthly donations. We hope to increase our monthly donations to meet our budget needs each month!
2) Football tickets--We need to pay for five more OU football season tickets this month. A $350 donation would purchase one ticket. One season ticket represents six opportunities (six home games) to invite potential supporters, parents, or others to an OU football game and introduce them to our ministry. This final payment is due June 22.
3) General Assembly expense--David, Craig and Anita will be attending General Assembly later this month in Orlando, Florida. The denomination is paying for David's transportation and hotel expenses, while Norman Community Church of the Nazarene is covering many of the expenses for Craig and Anita. We estimate that an additional $1,000 will be needed to cover all the expenses incurred. All three will be working in the Nazarene Secular Campus Mission booth, and David also will be on a couple of panel presentations about young adult ministry.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
The following individuals and churches have provided financial resources to the ministry in the past two months:
Nazarene churchs: Bethany First, Chandler, Lawton First, Mustang, Norman Community and Siver Creek (Owasso).
Individuals: Jim & Joyce Allman, Gary & Linda Banz, Lisa Blankenship, Ken Brown, Barry & Jennifer Dean, Mitch & Charlene Dietz, Vic Diffee, Chris Ely, Gary and Nancy Gilles, Brent & Amy Hardesty, John & Carolyn Jensen, David & Rhonda Kyncl, George & Eleanor Kyncl, Darrell and Myrna Latham, Jim & Stephanie Lawler, Phyllis McArthur, Robert & Donna McArthur, Meloni McDaniel, Mitch Mullen, John & Nancy Porter, James & Shirley Posey, Ruth West, Elmer Shellenberger, Craig & Anita Shepperd, Don & Earlene Shepperd, Rick & Linda Short, James & Evelyn Stevens, Patrick & Teri Walls, Jim and Brenda Weaver, John & Edna Westmoreland and Michel & Janet Whittenberg.
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| Ways to join the 2:8 House ministry team
We are often asked by individuals, adult Sunday School classes or pastors about ways to become more involved in the 2:8 House. Here are a few of the possibilities:
- Pray for our students and ministry--Every week we meet new students. As our friendship grows and we share each other's personal stories, we believe that God will be glorfied. We also believe He will continue to draw students to Himself.
- Schedule a work day--Does your group do windows? We have more than 50 double-hung windows. A work day could include washing windows, installing wooden storm windows, painting our storage shed, landscaping, installing guttering, etc. Our house was built in 1915, so it could always use some extra tender loving care.
- Introduce us to a student-- If you know an OU student, bring them by so we can meet them.
- Sponsor a football ticket--We have a block of 14 season tickets to OU football games. This has been an excellent way to introduce others to the 2:8 House ministry. A $350 donation would sponsor a ticket for the season.
- Join our Century Club--We believe that God will provide for the needs of this ministry through the faithful giving of 100 individuals, churches and districts. Our current monthly donations range from $50 to $620 while our periodic donations have ranged from $5 to $10,000.
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Rites of Passage 
Graduation--a ceremony that acknowledges an end and a beginning. It marks the completion of degree requirements and is celebrated with the conferring of a degree. It's a time when the university says, "You are done here, so you are welcome to leave."
Every year, the spring semester concludes with graduation. It is a time when we celebrate the accomplishments of students, while we also say "goodbye," or more accurately, "see you later."
We meet families as they gather to celebrate with their graduate. We see rental trucks and pick-ups packed and heading out.
Graduation this year held a special significance for our family. Last month, Rhonda completed and defended her dissertation. She received her doctrate in English Composition, Rhetoric and Literacy. She completed her academic endeavors at the University of Oklahoma.
No longer a student, she is in the process of becoming a full-time OU employee, an incredible answer to prayer, as full-time employment was never ensured as she worked toward her Ph.D.
Throughout the process, God has demonstrated His faithfulness, guidance and provision. She will continue her work in the OU Writing Center. Her new position will also include working with new faculty members as well as new international graduate teaching assistants.
God is faithful.
As we celebrate the graduation of several of our students, we thank God for His provision, His grace, His hand on our family and ministry. We thank God for family, extended family and friends who enrich our lives each as every day.
Thank you.
LOVE WINS. |
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| Deuteronomy 32:1-2 (The Message) |
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Listen, Heavens, I have something to tell you.
Attention, Earth, I've got a mouth full of words.
My teaching, let it fall like a gentle rain, my words arrive like morning dew,
like a sprinkling rain on new grass, like spring showers on the garden.
For it's God's Name I'm preaching--
respond to the greatness of our God! |
| Contact Information |
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700 Chautauqua Ave.
Norman, OK 73069
405-447-7027
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