GBU Stands

Recently we have been doing a lot of stands on different campuses in Paris. Our aim is to talk to people about Jesus through the method of introducing the GBU. Most people are quite open to talking but every now and then, there is someone who will refuse to talk. Due to Laïcité, people claim that we shouldn't have religion in the campus. In fact, Laïcité means not choosing just one religion but allowing all to have their place. There has been a long history of conflict between the church and France, but we pray that students will have the freedom to choose what to believe and not let a law decide for them.

The photo below: I'm preparing some material to go talk to students on a campus north of the city. That day I ended talking to a Muslim student to about 2 hours about the validity of the Bible. He was very skeptical but we were able to have a good conversation and challenge one another's thinking. I have been able to remain in contact with him.

The photo on the bottom: Here's an example of the table.
-Bibles in French, English and Arabic
-Pens for writing down contact info
-Madelines, a tasty snack for students
-Motivated people for the stands

Beyond the doubt

Tonight I was not motivated to go to St Quentin and annoyed because I was once again late. I keep thinking people won't come and that I'm not very useful to this group. Sometimes it's nice to have little expectations, God still works even when we have little faith. So we had 3 new students who came to St Quentin, one through someone connected to the GBU and the 2 others from the stand. It was definitely not a typical GBU considering we were all Christians and all agreed to pray before and after the study. (Normally we don't pray because it excludes non-christians instead we pray before the group or at another time.) So we were mindful to explain that if there were non-chrétiens we don't normally pray and that people can come earlier and pray. The discussion went well and then went into a time of personal testimony and encouragement from the application question. At the end of the discussion, Sephora shared a verse to encourage Rosalie and then Sephora prayed and Rosalie was crying at the end. I was just observing and taking it all wondering what a normal GBU at St Quentin would be like. Robert (the student leader) and I are similar because we go with the flow. He did take a lot of initiative as a leader which I was impressed by and I just felt like I was interrupting. We need more time to get a regular group coming before we can work out the kinks, but I did send him encouragements and suggestion of somethings he could work on.

A beautiful work of God

Studying Christ's birth with Hong (14 Oct)

1-1: a time to read the Bible and pray with a student. I have been meeting with a student who enjoys reading and discussing the Bible. She is so curious and also very open to the Gospel. I invited her over to my apartment for dinner and to do our 1-1. Afterwards, I wrote this message to my team leader. (My phone is on auto-correct in french so that's why there are unnecessary accents.)

"Our 1-1 was awesome! We ate well and then read about the birth of Jésus. Somehow we got into à conversation about marriage and she asked when I wanted to get married. I just said when God sends the right person. After I prayed for her and then she quickly prayed and asked God to give me a boyfriend, I said amen to that :-) I'm still wondering how we got there, but it was sweet of her to pray without me asking. I walked with her to the tram content to feel like I have à little Chinese sister which I think is awesome. And I was moved to pray with even more faith for her salvation."

God keeps us humble

Doing ministry doesn’t always mean that you have everything figured out. God keeps us humble. Here’ s message that I send after a 1-1* with a student:

*A 1-1 is a when we meet with another student to study the Bible. We choose a book to study each week and also share life together and pray. The goal is to equip the students to do a 1-1 with another student after they have seen how’s it done. Many students meet with their friends either another Christian or non-christian to read the Bible. It’s one of the best ways to encourage other and grow deeper in our faith.

Hi! I just met with Hong and we talked about Luke. We went through the first 2 parts of the series of I love LA with the booklet. Then she just read and asked questions. I was amazed by her curiosity. I tried to explain certain concepts: sin, the Old Testament prophets, etc, but it seemed like I gave her complicated responses. I am going to try and see how I can simplify these concepts yet still be true to the Bible. I found a book at the GBU, Basic Christianity by John Stott. I figure I should get some resources.