The crisp Colorado Mountain air was refreshing.
French students and staff members spent several weeks in the United States this summer. The contingent ventured westward to attend the 2009 Campus Crusade for Christ biannual US Staff Conference in Fort Collins, Colorado and to volunteer time with several charitable organizations in Denver, the capital city of the state of Colorado.
“CSU” – Colorado State University, US. Staff Conference: 21st – 29th of July
Participation in the conference granted insight into the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ in the United States and promoted awareness of ministering in France. Time spent with Javier Garcia, director of Agape Europe – CCC Western Europe, Chip Scivicque and Jay Lorenzen from Here’s Life Inner-City and John Gaither from Keynote, CCC’s music ministry, was an opportunity to think and dream of new directions, new ideas and new steps for France.
Learning on the go – being exposed to new and different experiences builds respect for others and appreciation for one’s own culture.
The main conference sessions were held in the CSU Moby Basketball stadium. Days started with inspiring times of praise and worship and afterwards renowned speakers, Tim Keller, Steve Douglass, Keith Battle and Larry Crabb challenged everyone to reflect on the message of grace and how we live out and share our faith. The days went by quickly – three hour plenary sessions in the mornings and afternoons filled with seminars addressing various subjects like evangelism in its various forms to engage diverse people groups, spiritual growth, trials, etc.
An evening café gave countries an opportunity to present their ministry and welcome interested people to sign up!
We French delegates took advantage of free time slots in the evenings to present the many opportunities in France – the culture, the way of life and the potential to engage with people spiritually. During an evening specifically dedicated to France, each team member was given an opportunity to share – Laurent Bataille shared a testimony of his spiritual journey while a student at the university. Everyone present was invited to join French staff!
During other evenings dedicated to neighbouring European countries like Italy, we were encouraged by reports of what the Lord is doing there.
By the end of the conference, we had taken in so much – many have dreamed of how we can implement what we’ve seen. It will take months to digest it all. We were especially surprised and encouraged by the number of people who have a heart for and pray for France – some have prayed for decades.
The Denver Project: 29th July – 5th August:
After the conference, we drove to Denver for a week-long summer project. Javier Garcia challenged us by sharing from Matthew 9:36, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd”
Volunteering at a homeless shelter opened eyes to the needs of the less fortunate.
Our week in Denver gave us a glimpse into what the light of Jesus was to the crowd He was addressing. We learned to have and share the same compassion as we served with these various charitable organizations:
- Pulling weeds from rows of crops at Harvest Farm – a detoxification program offering therapeutic farm activities.
- Removing graffiti in neighbourhoods and tackling small projects in homes lacking resources.
- Volunteering at the Denver Rescue Mission: Serving meals, welcoming the poor, the homeless, those with drug dependency problems and those participating in rehabilitation programs.
- Helping at Habitat for Humanity: Sorting building materials and donated furniture.
“It was not our arms and legs that worked the most, but our heart.” said one participant. Another reflected on the time in Denver, “I never expected to face misery and suffering so close. Often, my heart was filed with sadness and compassion, but also of hope, for as I saw the need, I saw the response from the various charitable organizations. Despite everything, God was present in the midst of this misery.”
