“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, o lord, will keep me safe.” PSalm 4:8 nlt

Written by Carmen Hanson

Carmen and Pastor Sihok with a few of the Next Steps students in the capital, Phnom Penh.

It was an opportunity to spend time with the people I love most, the Next Steps students. I flew to Cambodia in August for 10 days with one purpose, to hear the hearts of college students. I love listening to students. Hearing their stories, hopes, and dreams. And talking through the stress and struggles of becoming adults. We met together as a group to talk about stress as part of the Emotional Care Program. And I sat down with each student one-on-one to talk about their lives and stresses. We laughed and we cried. We had many powerful conversations together.

But of all the conversations of those 10 days, the most impactful conversation for me happened in the Dallas airport on my way home. I sat down with some lunch while awaiting my last flight and was joined by a young man nearby. As he finished his plate of buffalo wings, I noticed he was in serious need of napkins. What began as sharing my napkins led to sharing our stories. And a powerful heart lesson.

My new young friend grew up in a refugee camp in Uganda. And following the death of both of his parents, he found himself alone with his siblings. By God’s grace, the local NGO took notice of his gifts and hard work in school and awarded him a college scholarship to study in Kenya. Now graduated, he works in the US and sends support back to his siblings so they also can attend school.

Worlds apart, he shares many similarities with the Next Steps students I serve in Cambodia. But what stood out to me the most was when he shared about the sleepless nights. In the last 10 days, several of my students had shared about their struggles with sleep. My new friend experienced the same in the refugee camp, often awake worrying about his future. But he encapsulated the experience so poignantly,

“We lay awake worrying because we know that no one else is thinking about our future.”

This is a weight Next Steps students can also feel. And why ministry with Saving Susan is so important. Because the heart of God and this ministry is for students to know they are not alone. The stress students feel is also a motivating reason for the Emotional Care Program. An opportunity for Saving Susan in partnership with Hope for the Heart to create a safe place for every student to talk about their struggles and receive Godly encouragement, support and tools to navigate the challenges of life.

Maybe you can relate to sleepless nights or worry for your future. Maybe you have a story of how God came through for you. And maybe your story of God’s faithfulness is the encouragement someone else needs to hear. Would you consider walking alongside a college student as they navigate the big decisions of life? Please consider becoming a Next Steps sponsor or a supporter of the Emotional Care Program. A listening ear and an open heart may offer students a peaceful night’s sleep knowing they are not alone.