In two days I have the amazing opportunity to go on a vision trip to Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) which is in West Africa. I will in Abidijan (economic hub of the country) from February 8-17. Why Cote d’Ivoire you ask? Great question! Every campus has an overseas partnership. I love Cru’s heart for the nations because it reflects our Fathers desire that every nation, tribe, people, and language know him. MSU’s overseas partnership is in Cote d’Ivoire. We have a full time staff couple there right now with their three kids. They lead the Cru movement on college campuses in Abidijan.
We love our partnership for many reasons but one of my favorites is how strategic it is. Islam is making a huge push from Northern Africa down into the South. But at the same time the country is so open to the gospel! Students are willing and excited to hear about Jesus and many are placing their faith in him. Many countries are closed to Christian missionaries, but we can come into Cote d’Ivoire without restrictions. Another reason is that the country is rebuilding from a civil war a few years back. The country’s future leaders are on college campuses right now and they have a huge opportunity to change their country for Christ. Finally, Abidijan is the third largest French speaking city in the world! What an amazing way to reach beyond Africa and into other French speaking countries.
As you can tell I am so excited about this trip. Two summers ago I went on a missions trip to Mali which is just north of Cote d’Ivoire. I absolutely fell in love with the West African people and their culture. Since I left I have longed to go back. While we are there we will be joining the staff doing college ministry. We will be sharing our faith on campus, catching a vision for what ministry is like over there, and encouraging the local staff team. Each summer we send students on a short term missions trip called a Summer Project. I’m so excited to be able to encourage students to go, knowing the needs and realities of the ministry in Abidijan. I can’t wait to tell you all about my trip. Please pray for safety for our team and that college students in Cote d’Ivoire will be ready to receive the gospel as we share with them.
The semester has just started and God is already moving! Just last week I heard these stories:
- My roommate Tina took one of the girls she disciples to do evangelism in the student union. They picked a random person to approach and give them a spiritual interest survey. It just so happened it was a volleyball player and she was incredibly receptive to the gospel. She didn’t place her trust in Christ just yet, but said she wanted to learn more about what it meant to be a Christian. When Tina told me about it later that evening I texted the volleyball player. This is what she had to say about the experience: “It was really random but what makes it interesting is she came at the right time, I was needing some of those words today.” I’m excited to continue talking to her about Jesus! Praise God that he is working in the volleyball player’s lives.
- Olivia is a sophomore in our Cru movement. She went to DCC and had a great time of growth, but the coolest part happened when she got home. A big part of DCC is the outreaches. Olivia participated in an online outreach using Facebook. The point of the outreach was to get into spiritual conversations using social networking. The Lord used Olivia in a big way. Here’s what she had to say about it: “At DCC, I sent my high school friend Emma the online survey. Instead of submitting her answers we just agreed to meet up at Starbucks and talk about the survey together in person. When we met up back in St. Louis at Starbucks other people were there so the conversation didn't really go towards the topic of God. We did talk a little bit about the survey though because I sent it to a few other people who were there. It didn't go very deep, so Emma said she would like to talk about it another time. She said that the idea of God is hard to understand for her, and she would like to just hear from different people their experience with God and how He has worked in their life. We decided to meet another time, just her and I, and I shared the gospel with her (my very first time doing that) and she accepted Christ right there in Starbucks! It was unbelievable! Not only did I come away having another sister, but I personally grew in my faith because I was truly able to see how God works through you if you just let Him. “
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