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.

Seeing God move

A message I sent to my team members November 23rd:

I'm coming home from visiting the english group and I have to give God a huge shout out. He's mind blowingly amazing! A guy who I met in St Quentin en Yvelines* at our stand** (I had seen him the week before) came with his friend. He is Muslim and so is his friend. It was a good discussion and everyone participated. Afterwards I told Alice (the student leader), she didn't know they were both Muslim. Afterwards, we had a quick debriefing to see how to make sure they felt included and welcomed even though I thought she did a great job. It's awesome because she was a bit discouraged because not many people were coming. I'm so amazed at how God brings people! You never know who will come!

*St Quentin en Yvelines, is another city in the Paris region about an hour from the center, which is where we were.
**Stands are set up on campus to invite students to the GBU group and also for us to talk about Jesus. We pass out Bibles and other information about the GBU.

Keep going

I'm waiting for this WOW moment with a student who reads the Bible with me every week. I want her to understand the Gospel, believe it and be saved. Today I felt like our discussion didn't go well because I didn't see any change. I speak of Jesus every time we meet hoping that this time she will get it. I love spending time with her I just want her to know Jesus so much. What am I doing wrong? How can I trust in God's timing and not my own? God was patient with me, why can't I be patient with her? I need to trust in God's timing and just keep planting as much seed as possible.

Busted!

Here's a funny story I shared with my friend Jen.

My heating pad busted in my bag today. I wear it like a fanny pack for cramp relief. Gel oozed out and got on my hand. I had to walk quite far in the RER B station to find a trash, which was disappointing. So I had to just deal with the gel on my hands hoping it wouldn't give me cancer because I didn't have tissues. I thought I should share my story with someone. I hope you're have à good day.

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."