Testimony

The other night I went to a bible study that is held weekly by the college ministry here at MSOE.  The topic of the night was testimonies.  This got me thinking about my story and how God has used me in so far in life.  It also got me thinking that all you out there interested in my internship this summer may be interested in my past as well.  So, I'm going to share with you my testimony and how God has used me and is using me currently.  So here it goes:

I grew up in a Christian home.  Very stereotypical to my generation.  I went to church but I never really knew what it meant to be a Christian or the depths of what they were talking about.  I went along this path all through junior high school and my freshman year in high school.  I wasn't in a good place the summer after my freshman year.  I was living according to what I wanted and not what God wanted.

There were two things that happened within 6 months of each other that helped change my viewpoint on God and life:

1. A LeaderTreks wilderness trip.  This trip consisted of 15 ish high school guys out in the wilderness and just having fun really.  On this trip is where I started to see the vastness, creativity and uniqueness of God.  After this trip I wanted to go change my life and start living more Godly, but that didn't happen.  My life went right back to the way it was.  I went back to my own ways and how I wanted to live life.

2. My grandpa's death.  This event at this time in my life was devastating.  I didn't know how to handle it or what to do.  This is the point where I realized that the only person that's always going to be there for me and able to comfort me is God.  He's the friend that will never leave me.

After this revelation that God is the one I should be living for, my life changed drastically.  I started living more intentionally and having a purpose to my everyday life.  I felt full for the first time.  I also started to see the potential that God has given me to be a leader and to influence people in general (I still don't fully this).

When I got to college this past fall I struggled.  I had never gone through this much change before and I've never had to deal with making new friends like this.  God taught me that I need people there to get closer to Him and without them, there's no us.

Currently, God is doing some awesome things.  He's been teaching me to trust Him more.  And from that trust that I've been giving Him, He's been able to show that it pays off.  This internship is one of the products of me practically taking a leap of faith and also the leadership position that I have obtained with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.

He is still revealing the incredible leadership skills that he has planted in me and some of the plans that he has in store for me in the future.  I can't wait to be able to add another chapter to this story.

As an update on the support raising for this internship, I am trying to get as much stuff (any kind of stuff at all) and sell it here on campus.  So if any of you out there are willing to help out with this and have stuff that you don't need I would appreciate it greatly if you decided to donate that stuff to this cause.  If you're here at MSOE, just contact me and we'll work something out.  If you're from Bloomington, I'll be in town Easter weekend and I'll pick it up then. If you're from none of the above and would like to help out, contact me and we'll work something out.

I ask that you still be praying for my raising support and as the summer gets closer and closer, praying for the steps that this trip will take prior to the actual trip.  You guys are awesome.

God bless,
Donnie Bogle

Chicago, IL

After I got the internship with LeaderTreks, one of the main thoughts in my head was "Where is God going to place me this summer?"  I thought he was going to put me in a place that's far away and foreign.  I thought he was going to ship me off into the wilderness and serve him there.  I was wrong.  He put me virtually in my backyard, Chicago, IL.  There is no doubt in my mind that this is the right place for me to be this summer.  The reason for my certainty is that this is what I'm dealing with here in Milwaukee.  I'm starting to see all of the poverty right here in front of my face and how much I haven't done to battle it.

Many times I've gone to Chicago and seen many homeless people begging for money.  The impression that I have of the neighborhood that I'll be staying in this summer, Lawndale, is that I'll be seeing people similar to the homeless of Chicago all around.  They won't be sitting in the streets with a cup of change begging but they will be in a similar situation as these people.  Here are some quick facts about Lawndale:

North Lawndale

• 45.2% of population lived under the poverty level in 2000
• Median household income = $18,342 
• 93.8% African American and 4.54% Hispanic
• 20-24 year old jobless rate = 59.4%

South Lawndale (Little Village)

• 40% population under age of 20
• 83% Hispanic, 12.9% African American, 3.52% White
• Median household income = $32,320
• 17.8% of population attended college

As you can see, both of these neighborhoods need help.  Whether it be with education problems or with joblessness.  We do not know as of right now what our project will be in the area.  Whatever it is, I'm sure that God will be with us.  

I ask that you keep on praying for this trip that I will be going on this summer both logistically and financially as I continue raising money to go on this trip.  Please keep in your prayers my schooling and time management as well as I am getting to be very busy this time of the year.  

God Bless, 

Donnie Bogle