We got to go to campus today for the first time of actually going out and talking to students!!! Previously we were going to meet with the English department and students there for a formal introduction, but this was the first time we got to go out on our own. And God did amazing things! We went around campus in groups of 2 or 3 and just started talking to students. I don't think I moved from my little 5 ft. area for the whole 2 plus hours we were there because we'd start talking to a group of students and more would just keep coming up. These students are so hungry to talk about God and to learn and hear more. We met such a wide range of students from those who had never heard the gospel to those who were clearly on fire for the Lord and wanted to talk to us about how they could share Jesus with their friends. We are going back tomorrow and my partner I was sharing with and I have made plans to meet with several students to talk again. We saw two people come to know the Lord in just our visit today, so I can only imagine what else God is going to do! And to clarify what I wrote earlier, we are the first international group to come work with Cote d'Ivoire in 10 years. The last group was some students from Canada, but since then the national staff has been on their own. The campus director for this university we are at is also heavily involved with his church and other areas, so it is really nice to come and be able to help him out and get things started again on this campus. There is a very obvious desire from the students to talk about spiritual things, they just need people to come and talk to them! I am learning so much too, just in strengthening my own understanding of what God has done for us and learning to share that in a clear and understandable way. I cannot wait to go back tomorrow! Cote d'Ivoire has their first match in the World Cup tomorrow too, so that should be fun. Go Elephants!!! Tomorrow is another early morning, so I'm off to bed. But I wanted to share with you all while it was fresh in my mind! Blessings!
~ Lauren
p.s. - oh, and also a clarification from my last post. we talked more about our encounter with the police last night and Tom, one of the missionaries we are working with who has been in Africa for a long time now, said that that was a very rare occurrence to be stopped that often and especially to have that many people asking for bribes. He felt that it was just spiritual opposition. He said he had never been stopped when they had missionary convoy signs on their cars, so although there is corruption and such it is not as common as it seemed at first. So mom and grandma, don't worry, we were not in danger and were being safe. : )
PSS Hey All!! Lauren is pretty saweet :) (that was my friend Shane, but I told him I wouldn't delete it. Our team is wonderful and it has been incredible getting to know all of them and serve along side them. They are such a blessing!)
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