Ministry work in West Africa has proven to be as challenging as it is rewarding. My name is John Howland, and I am a STInter (short-term international intern) with Cru here in Cote d'Ivoire, Africa for the next year. I recently graduated from the Colorado School of Mines with a B.S., but I am excited to start off my real-world experience doing missions work with Cru.
The times here have been challenging mainly because we are still trying very hard to find direction for our ministry mission to reach college students. Two of the main universities here have been closed down and will not reopen until next fall, but we are still going through the doors God has been opening in order to continue reaching college students for Christ. It has also been hard for all of us STInters to adjust to a new culture that we hope to somewhat assimilate into in such a short time. We truly believe though that it will benefit our mission the more we learn and can thrive in this new environment.
However, the times have been extremely rewarding because God is still moving in the midst of this struggle, and has been revealing ways for us to minister. For example, we are in the process of starting a new partnership with the most prestigious high school in Cote d'Ivoire where we hope to be able to share the love of Christ with the students through English classes and other activities. Also, as of quite recently, we will be taking part in a huge Bible study of college students that has been going on in a recently discovered apartment complex. Our hope is to come along side them and help influence them to share the gospel more and grow their love for God. All of these things (and many more which I do not have time to share right now) have been undoubtedly thanks to God and what He's doing.
All this being said (written), I truly look forward to the day when I can look back on this time and see much of what God has done in myself, the other missionaries here, and the entire generation of college students in Cote d'Ivoire. I also cannot wait to see what He does as it unfolds in front of my own eyes.
No comments:
Post a Comment