David Smalls- CUAA Student Government President
with Rev. John and Connie Denninger.
I was encouraged to write a number of blog posts
in the past 3 weeks telling the story of
amazing Concordia Connections.
What I wasn't prepared for was the personal blessing
that would come out of that endeavor.
I had told David that on my next trip to Ann Arbor,
I wanted to come to campus
and meet him and personally shake his hand.
That is a great "hope it happens" kind of thing.
So a week ago, I get a text from David announcing
that he would be in DC for Spring Break visiting his brother.
Was there any night we could meet up for dinner?
Where his brother works.
Sure- that sounds great.
We arrive at Surveyor at The Thompson near Nationals Park, Navy Yard, Washington DC.
Brother Dervin is the Executive Chef at this restaurant.
David is the youngest of eight children
and you can tell his older brother likes
to take care of "the younger brother."
The surprise was a very special 3 hour meal
prepared by Dervin.
Fancy food, carefully prepared and delicious.
The joy of the evening was the conversation, as we were able to hear the heart
of this young servant leader.
Prepared to do "what it takes" in his leadership role.
Willing to be mentored and learn from others.
A humble heart that sees he is in a place to give,
serve and pull others up.
It only takes a short conversation with David to hear words
like prayer, listening and HOPE.
He is ready to come back from Spring Break
and roll up his sleeves to be the voice of encouragement.
He understands the hard work ahead.
He doesn't step aside from the challenge
facing CUAA right now and into the future.
The students at CUAA have a man named Smalls
ready to lead like a Giant for the future of CUAA.
We couldn't have seen the blessing of meeting
this young man a month ago.
But now, we testify that even in the hard,
the bad and the hurtful,
God is still making connections of heart
that bring GOOD things to His Kingdom people.
