Cru Digital Ministry

Hackathon Jon

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Me with Jon and Thad, who serve with the Technology Team in Western Europe
Me with Jon and Thad, who serve with the Technology Team in Western Europe.

 

Before I explain what a hackathon is, let me introduce you Jon. If you enjoy hearing a pleasant British accent, you’d love to spend time with Jon. About a year ago, Shannon and I hosted Jon, who lives in Birmingham, England, in our home while he visited World Headquarters to attend a collaborative meeting with other staff members working on ministry financial systems. Jon is a talented computer programmer. The Lord led him to serve on staff to see students lives changed and fulfill the Great Commission.

A few months ago, Jon and 15 other programmers met together in Thailand – a central location for many of these international staff – to write lots and lots of computer code. Throw in some soft drinks and pizzas and that’s what a hackathon is.

The results? Some web applications and underlying software which, behind the scenes to most staff and students we reach, dramatically increase the capacity for ministry in multiple countries. For example, one financial system which previously required over 100 people to complete the related accounting tasks now requires only 5 people. That’s a huge savings of hassle and time. So, thanks Jon! Have another cup of tea on us!

Jon summarizes his hackathon experience in 25 seconds. Watch here. More details and other hackathon photos here.

Ministry

Prison of Shame

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Read this true story about a student involved in Cru who did serious jail time

Where have you experienced shame in your life?

Melissa is not your typical college student.  After her junior year at Michigan State University, she spent 2.5 years in prison.  At the time she was a very new believer – coming to grips with her dire need for forgiveness and a daily struggle to fully believe that Jesus received all the shame she deserved.

This is a powerful story.  It made me think of Psalm 51.  Each one of us, at some level, knows the shame Melissa felt.  Without Jesus, the story of shame for each of us ends behind the bars of guilt with no hope of freedom.  Praise God we do know the One who releases us from prison and gives us clean, new clothes and a clean heart.

Read how students involved with Cru at Michigan State ministered to Melissa before, during and after her incarceration.

Full credit goes to WorldWide Challenge magazine and Emily Vinson for this awesome story.  True story.

 

Family

Insulin Saga Continues with Bright Spots

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Avery, Addison and Toby all smiles on 1st day of school

School bells have tolled again at the Hand homeschool and for the 22,500,000 university students around the country returning to campus this fall. Like we’ve seen in our children, each student holds such amazing potential. Alongside you, we’re humbled to see the Lord touch students’ lives and reveal purpose and hope for each of them.

Thanks for praying for Toby. It’s been a little over 6 weeks and he’s going great on his new insulin pump – the OmniPod. He’s actually “wearing” two devices now – one is a continuous glucose monitor which has been a big help in tracking and, occasionally alerting us (audibly) about Toby’s glucose levels while he sleeps at night.

The best part is that Toby can manage these devices, including insulin delivery, all by himself. He even does the insert and setup each time he changes his pod and monitor when needed every few days. The “insert” shoots a small tube (or wire for the continuous monitor) into his skin. Yes there have been a few minor technical glitches, confusing hassles and a definite learning curve. But all in all this chapter in the saga is easy and bright.

See Glucose Monitor Inserted   See a closeup of how small this device really is

So praise the Lord. All this is a major answer to prayer. Thanks for standing with our family through this saga. And thanks for empowering us – through your prayers and partnership – to lean forward in trusting Him with our children and with the goal of seeing our generation completely transformed by the ultimate saga of Jesus and His gospel.

If you know any students returning to college this fall and want to connect them with a Cru ministry on their campus, search for one here. Or, for high schoolers and middle schoolers, you may find this Android mobile app (for Android smartphones and tablets) helpful for anyone with a heart to reach high schoolers.  You can also find locations where Cru has active ministries for urban inner city, young professionals and Military Ministry.

 

Family

Toby’s OmniPod

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Toby tries a demo OmniPod

After praying about it and consulting with Toby’s Endocrinologist for several weeks, we are stepping forward to start using one of these amazing little medical devices.

“Do I have to get shots everyday for the rest of my life?” This was one of the toughest “YES” questions we’ve ever answered to one of our kids.

Toby was 6 years old when diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (3 years ago). Since then, multiple times daily, Shannon and I have given him insulin injections. Toby has endured it very well and we have adjusted. But now an insulin pump may make life easier and, in the long run, will help maintain Toby’s health on a more even keel.

 

What is an Insulin Pump?

It is small with a remote handheld controller

This is a small device which “inserts” insulin into Toby’s body in an automated manner. This specific type of pump – called an “OmniPod” – can even be worn under water. Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (a Type 1 Diabetic) and other pro athletes have worn an OmniPod during competion! It stays attached to your skin and has a very small catheter which sends insulin into your arm or leg. Every few days, it must be replaced and attached to a new site on the body.

Although insurance coverage helps a ton, the pump is still fairly costly. But it definitely offers long term benefits for Toby’s health. And it will even allow him to eventually take responsibility for managing his Diabetes on his own.

If you want the simple, in-plain-English facts of how it works and why kids tend to like using an OmniPod, just ask a kid who wears one! This boy named Noah does a great job explaining it in this 2 minute video: