Kelley's RUF Updates

After our conference week in the Summer, the season becomes a beautiful juxtaposition of rest and chaos. It is something I experience, but I think students do as well. The regular grind of the semester is over, and the weeks grow equally hurried and slow. Some students scurry off to summer internships and jobs with the occasional summer class. Some are off to vacations, or are bored at home staring at their cat. Some have a mix of both. I myself have been traveling, reading, resting, planning for the fall, and taking care of the yard and garden. 

With all of these different ways to spend the summer, it can be hard to have a collective experience among our community of RUF students and staff. That is why I like summer RUF so much. For five weeks in the middle of the summer, we meet every Monday night to fellowship, sing, and hear from a local PCA pastor. There are multiple reasons we do this. First, we meet in a local church and hear from local pastors because we desperately want our students to be connected with the local church. If they already are involved, it’s fun for them to meet new pastors or to tell their friends “that’s my pastor”. We hope that summer RUF will continue to be a place where students can get connected with the church and feel more at home with the body of Christ. Second, we want to provide a place for students who are lonely during this time of the year. The summer can be hard, and gathering with friends and having something to look forward to is a game changer for so many students.

Weather permitting, there is always a group going off to get ice cream afterwards, combating the summer heat with sugar and fellowship. 

I have to brag about our servant team for a moment. I have never seen a group of students so excited to jump into a fall semester ready to serve. Our RUF would not be what it is without the students whose clear love for Christ has spilled over into loving their neighbor.

Many of you know that last school year was a transition year for us, with James Jardin coming in as our Campus Minister. It was also made more complicated by James’ housing situation being less than ideal. These students took on way more than they normally would have, and spent so much time praying for James, his family, and his house. Not to mention encouraging him at every turn. Out of this group came two RUF interns, and I hope that a few more will emerge as well.

I don’t know if I have any better proof that God is at work at UAH than to see these students dedicate themselves to his worship and work. I am so grateful for His work in their hearts and lives and I am honored to witness it.

We have a new group of servant team members getting ready to start in the fall. The weekend before school starts (August 14-16) we will have a retreat with them to prepare for welcome week! Many of them were with us last year so I am excited to see how they will encourage and invigorate the next round of servant leaders. Will you join me in praying for our servant team members by name?

They are: Audrey, Bram, Cole, Gabe, Jackson, Luke, Lulu, Mary Claire, Olin, Phillip, Sarah, and Soren.

As many of you know, my co-staff, Skye Green has moved on from RUF. It has been a bittersweet time for me as I get to see her take a new job and invest in her family, but will miss seeing her more often. I am so so grateful for the four years I had the privilege of ministering along-side her at UAH. First as an intern, and then as my co-staff. I thank God for bringing us together through RUF and creating what I am sure will be a life-long friendship. 

Another staff update is that James and his family have finally moved to Huntsville!!!! I am so excited for what this means four our students and especially for his family. Please still be in prayer for them as they handle year-one transitions while being in year-two of the job. Also please pray for their house back in Kentucky, that it would sell!!

Finally, we have two stellar interns this year. Ian and Ellie! Ian is returning for his second year and Ellie is starting her first. She has been our student the past four years (a freshman when I arrived) and she will be a great addition to our team! Please pray for her fundraising progress and consider supporting her as well!