Really honest

I'm going to be real with you now. I'm not one to be so vulnerable and transparent, but this is worth sharing however comfortable it is. Today I wrote this email to my friend in a highly restricted country so I had to replace some vocabulary. I hope it makes sense to you.

Dearest Carli,

Thank you so much for this encouraging email, I'm blessed to see it today because I was feeling really discouraged. I am inspired to ask our father for impossible things, I'll start with 6 but I'll prob ask for more because I'm greedy and overly ambitious ;) So it looks like I won't be going to staff conference after all. I have to tell Renée by Friday, but I don't think it will be the best use of my time (I could be wrong so I still have 3 days to see things clearly). I'm believing (though I've been fighting through unbelief) to be applying for my return visa around the same time. That's one of the 6 things I'm asking for. So I'm leaving next week to Texas for the last push to be fully funded; I'll be there for almost 2 months. On Sunday, a friend of mine said he could triple his monthly giving so I'm believing for miracles like that to come. I have 36% left to raise. This period of support raising has been the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. These days I feel attacked more and more (honestly it's a weekly occurence). I thanked Dad today for the days I wasn't attacked and felt encouraged.

Like a beautiful leaf that has survived the elements, we are quite similar

Well so far we have seen each other in 3 countries so I hope that we might add a 4th one but I'll be glad to see you anywhere Dad chooses. I'm sorry that I have forgotten to lift you up regularly (besides just through the updates). I'm overjoyed for your healing! I'm thankful and honored to hear from you.

Much love and many thanks to you!

Nia

After writing this email and letting it sit, I came to a realization. I am the most satisfied and fulfilled person that I have ever been. Going through the hardship and struggles has been worth every minute. My prayer life has exploded, I pray constantly (and I could pray even more). I don't feel needy like I have been in the past and I don't fantasize about doing other things. God has allowed me to be completely satisfied in him.

The beautiful colors of fall...

My amazing reward

“Hi Tanya,

Thanks for the email. I could really use a ton prayer. I'm feeling very overwhelmed with everything I'm trying to achieve to be fully funded. It's been a constant battle and it doesn't seem to end. I will be going to Texas for 2 months Nov 3-Dec 28th to raise support and visit family. Please pray that I get more appointments because I don't want to be aimlessly going from one week to the next. I'm trying to plan visits, but I don't have very many. Also I don't really have community down there and it's so easy to get lonely. My parents (who I'm staying with) don't go to church and it's already been hard to be motivated so this might be another huge obstacle. I need so much help; it feels like I'm against impossible odds.

Thanks for the prayers!

Nia”

I sent this email today. Every quarter, the InterVarsity Link coordinators pray for all the staff. I always have requests because I feel like I’m always struggling with something. Even after I send them, I realize that I forgot some. I don’t think these struggles are going to get any easier. I wonder what I signed up for and if it’s always going to be so hard. I don’t feel equip for this. In no way do I feel strong or able.

My amazing reward from this battle is faith. I’m able to believe for others. Today I received a message from a friend. I have been praying for her cousin to be healed from cancer. To my surprise her cousin told her that she was healed.

“Your glory fills the whole earth”. Recently I was doing some listening prayer with my supervisor Renée. I had so much I wanted to listen for, but the first words she received were “powerless” and “overwhelmed”. So we listened for these two words. The image I received was of drops of water coming down from one finger. The drops morphed and covered the entire earth. The verse from Isaiah 6:3 came to my mind: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

The Echos of God's love

In my last post, I shared about a presentstion I did at a Chinese church where I met a woman who was directly impacted by the ministry I work for. I shared this story with many people, who were also encouraged by it. To my amazement, God wanted to keep encouraging me through them. I could hear the echoes of God's love. Here are 3 brief stories.

Unhealed wounds
I received a voice message from a student I met at a conference in Lyon. She had also experienced God's deep love for her while in England at a church. There was a man she met, who helped open her heart more to God. There were some wounds from her past that He was wanting to heal. He clearly wanted her to faced them and know that He loved her so much in spite of all the hurt. I was not only encouraged by her story but I could also pray for her knowing that God really wanted to heal her. Her faith was strengthened and so was mine. I told her to keep sharing her story because maybe He could use it to bring healing to others.

Blue Niagara

Genuine enthusiasm
Another person who contacted me was a student I briefly met a couple times. She actually signed up to receive my prayer letter and updates without me being aware. Ever since, she has been reading about all what God has been doing. When she contacted me, she told me that she was thankful for what I was doing and was encouraged. She said that she was praying for me, her enthusiasm really affirmed me. It's always nice when a French person is excited about me doing ministry in their country. The lyrics to the song "Oceans" made her think of me and how God was leading me; she shared some of the lyrics with me. What was even more providential was that we had sung that same song at church a couple days before. Wow! And I even received a passage from Matthew 15 from her; it's when Peter walks on water. I plan to study it this week.
"Oceans" (the song)

Mutually inspired
This last young woman who contacted me is truly an inspiration to us all. If you knew her story, you couldn't help but be amazed and clearly see the love of God in her. She told me that she was inspired by my trust in God. It's crazy because I want to say "You inspire me!". I guess the feeling is mutual. Her written words were ones that not only confirm that God blesses us but also affirms us in his work. These are the moments when God reveals himself and tells us that He not only exists but is working through us, in us and all around us.


I saved all these messages so that if ever I am discouraged, I'll read them. I just cannot imagine what God is going to do next...

Out pouring of love

This is my experience going to give a presentation about the student ministry in France at a Chinese church in Boston. 

God answers prayer. I walked to the CCCNE (Chinese Christian Church of New England) after I had prayed that I would understand. To my surprise God provided a nice young man to translate most of the sermon. While he was translating, I felt this incredible surge of love from God. I was so overwhelmed that he provided exactly what I needed and was telling me how much he loved me. It was a constant out pouring of his love that filled my heart. How intense! How incredible! I even had visions of a man and a woman sharing an intimate moment (It wasn't too explicit). I could feel the intense love between the husband and his wife. The love of God poured out on me was the most incredible feeling. It's like bliss in a moment. 

Talking with a stranger

I may be one of a very small group of people who are comfortable talking to strangers. Here's an experience I had on the T on Saturday September 10, 2016.

Sometimes I wish that I can record myself. I talked with this man from Australia on the T. We were having a great conversation about getting out of our comfort zones and experiencing faith outside our home. Then he asked me what I did. I told him about working for InterVarsity in France and and teaching students about the Bible.  He asked me why I wanted to be there. At first, I talked about being in France and feeling called to be there. I talked about how it was a very secular country. People there are so depressed and lonely. They take a lot of anti-depressants and medication. I believe that maybe the problem that they have is spiritual and can't be treated by medication. We talked more about what it means to believe and even the idea of being "born-again"; I said it was a complete renewal of your mind. Sadly I arrived at my stop and he said, "Why do you have to go?". I felt blessed. It was his first time to visit the east coast and he met a passionate Christian. I never had a job where I get so much return on my investment.

Yes, this is a calling I have and the fact that I can talk to a complete stranger and be passionate gives me hope. Maybe I don't have all the funding yet to go back to France, but at least I am convinced that I will. 

GBU Paris Staff 2015-2016

The staff in Paris is quite diverse. Let me take a moment to introduce you to them.

[Starting on the top left]

Nicolas: He is from Paris and grew up in Lyon. He studied finance partly in Paris and partly in Nantes. I found out we went to the same church in Nantes at different times. He worked in finances (serving God at work) for 5 years before quitting his job to go studying theology, which has been his desire for 17 years. He planned to study for a year but stayed for three. Then he worked as an intern in Eglise Protestante Evangelique de Ternes while trying to discern a call to work for the GBU. His quirky personality and intimidating intelligence greatly appreciated, there's not much he doesn't know about. We are thankful he gladly accepted his calling to work for the GBU!

Marion: She is a real Parisian. This is her 7th year working for the GBU. She was actively involved as a student and even did her internship with the GBU. She taught history for 5 years before leaving her job to become a GBU staff. She is a gifted teacher and passionate about God's word. When Marion speaks people listen because we know that what she has to say is important and could just bring us closer to God.

Charles: He is finishing his last year a Vaut sur Seine, a faculty for theology. He is finishing he thesis. This year he is interning with the GBU. He has a gentle way of telling truth and enjoys sharing his wealth of wisdom with all those who will hear. His smile and meekness makes him very approachable. He is passionate for God and wants everyone to hear the Gospel.

Josh: He is a whimsical, light-hearted Australian who has used humor to work his way into the hearts of many. He studied theology in the Australia and afterwards worked in a church with the youth, and as a chaplain. He and his wife felt called to move to France and went not knowing what was in store for them. Soon Josh will finish his french studies and start working full time for the GBU and even with high school students as well.

Susan: She's a team member of IFES InterAction, which is the program I am in too. We are a team of three (the 3rd member is not in the photo). Susan spent 10 years of her life in France because her parents were missionaries. Susan has a passion for international students and loves organizing events. She loves encouraging young woman to follow Christ and has a gift of hospitality. She knows he French culture well and has been able to help build groups who were lacking experience.

Nia (Me): Well you know about me a bit right. I'm enthusiastic about Jesus and I like getting other excited about the Gospel even if they don't believe. Even when situations look grim, my positivity kicks in in over-drive. After working in theatre as a costume stitch, wardrobe person and costume designer, there isn't no one that I cannot work with. My adaptability and openness has allowed me to integrate myself well and win the hearts of many with my charm.

Laetitia: She just throws herself into her work and finds ways to do things we have never even thought of. She is self-motivated and passionate about discipling women. Originally from Toulouse, Laetitia has known the GBU for years. Yes she's is quite young but she got hooked in while still in high school. She has always felt called to ministry but didn't know where she would find her place. Se fits quite nicely with the GBU and her skills are greatly appreciated.

Nikki: This is her first year working with the GBU. Originally from the Philippines, she studied in Paris and then went home. She has worked in campus ministry at home and always wanted to return to France since the first time she came. This year her integration has gone well. She has used her skills in teaching to share at staff meetings as well as supported many groups in the region. Her involved in the GBU has been quite impressive for her first year.

Rencontre Nationale

Rencontre Nationale April 14-17th

In April, all those who are involved with the GBU came together to a national conference in Lyon. There were about thirty people who came a day earlier to the Journée Bonus (extra day), which based on the theme of the Resurrection of Jesus. I really enjoyed the messages that also inspired and gave us hope that is based of the work of Christ on the cross.

M.Sophie R. Lauricia

During the conference, there were only about 130 people, less than last year. The theme was “Heaven”; our speaker based his two messages on Revelation, using Old and New Testament references to show us what hope we have in the life to come. We had time together to share news of what’s going on in other region. So much happens in Paris compared to other regions. I hate to compare but there are more activities in the big cities. It’s always encouraging to hear what is happening in the small cities, everything happens by God’s grace.

Our team did a stand, which allowed students to learn more about IFES, the international organization that includes GBU France, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship USA and 156 other member countries. It’s always surprising to find out how little the students know about their association on an international level. We made a quiz that turned out to be quite difficult but people had fun even though they didn’t win.

4 Americans out of 130 people (they all speak French)

There was a time to vote in new leaders in the different regions and hear their motivation for why they want to get more involved. We saw the budget for this year and the next year, which seems to be ambitious but possible. We heard news of what’s happening in the Middle East. It’s amazing to hear that God is working despite the harsh condition, extreme Islamic states and war-torn countries. Nothing is impossible for our God!

Yvette, med student in Montpellier

Marie & Cécile

Susan & Sophie preparing the stand

I am always amazed to see student involvement in the GBU; on a national scale it’s even more inspiring. Students could be doing other things with their time, yet they choose to come hear about their Father in heaven and his love for them. Everyone is always so enthusiastic and full of good humor. It’s just another sign that God’s love transforms our lives and sets us apart.