So many mixed emotions were evoked as I watched and heard of the tragic events which unfolded at the campus of Virginia Tech yesterday.  It’s difficult to comprehend the magnitude of what occurred as many students lost their lives and many others were wounded.  Not to mention the emotional damage inflicted on so many more. 

As a graduate of VT, I still feel a deep connection to the campus community there even though it’s been several years since I actually sat in Calculus class in Norris Hall (the academic building in which most of the shootings occurred.)  It’s hard to believe the pictures captured on the news cameras could possibly be real…such a somber and sad place in contrast to memories I have of crossing the drill field on a beautiful spring day.   

As we watched Night Line reporters interviewing students last night in West Ambler Johnston Residence Hall, I was reminded of something else:  the unique culture of dorm life and how the Lord can use that for His glory.  Seeing the students gathered together in the halls and in their rooms, I felt moved to pray for the Christian students on campus…to pray that they will depend on their relationship with Jesus to get them through this difficult time.  And to pray that the students who know Christ will share the hope they have, even in the midst of such tragedy, with those who don’t know the Lord.  My prayer is that God will use this terrible, terrible situation for good…that many students at VT will come into a relationship with Him as they consider the frailty of life here. 

David & I still keep in contact with some of the Campus Crusade for Christ staff at Virginia Tech.  I met Dave & Susan Broadwell my senior year at Tech.  Dave is the current Campus Crusade director and sent out this update last night: 

By now, if you have watched any sort of national or, for that matter, international news, you have heard of the devastation on our campus of Virginia Tech Monday.All of our staff members are OK. We were together for our Monday morning staff meeting when the shootings happened.The latest is that a shooter killed 33 with 27 being wounded and some not even out of surgery yet.We had a prayer meeting Monday night for our students and the students of some other organizations. Most students are shocked and numb at this point, not sure what to think and feel. I feel the same way.We know of at least 2 of our students who are not accounted for at this point, as well as 1 who was killed who had come to our meetings.All of this information is coming through the network of students, as no names have been officially released yet (until after the families are notified–most likely Tuesday). I think that is the hardest part–the waiting–not really knowing who has been touched by this tragedy.Our staff team is spending the day in the Cru office Tuesday–making ourselves available to pray with and/or counsel students.We will take a break to attend the university-wide convocation at 2 p.m. where the
Virginia governor is slated to speak.We are gathering at noon on Wednesday to pray with other Christian groups on the drillfield–a very central place on campus.Please pray that amidst it all that the Lord would be glorified, families would be comforted and students would grieve appropriately. I have a feeling no one is going to know how to move on from here.

Dave Broadwell (Campus Crusade for Christ Director at Virginia Tech)

Thank you for joining me in praying for our staff, students and the campus community at Virginia Tech.