Written by Bobby Howes--

The first week on campus I met up with Richard (an Ivorian student involved in Cru) and while we talked with a couple of other Ivorian’s, Ecrabe and Emmanuel, they asked what brought me to Cote d’Ivoire. I told them I work with Cru (Campus pour Christ) which led us to talk about Jesus and Richard was able to share the gospel with them. However, it did not take long for another Ivorian to show up and sit in on our conversation, and then another…and another, until you found yourself surrounded by multiple Ivorian’s all interested in what you have to say. Some would even pull me aside to ask if I could share with them what Richard was explaining to his friends after our conversation was finished.

After having spent a few weeks on campus I have found that it is quite the norm to be talking with someone while others are casually ease dropping in on the conversation and later asking for it to be shared with them!

It is refreshing for me to see a sense of enthusiasm that I cannot quite describe other than Ivorian’s are anything but apathetic when it comes to spiritual talk and having deep, rich, meaningful conversations.

The challenging part can be discerning between the ones who are genuinely interested in learning about the message of Christ versus the few who just want to practice their English with you.

Emmanuel was one of those students who were genuinely interested in learning more about Jesus and being built up in his faith. So without any hesitation Richard and I went through the first follow up lesson with him about his new life with Christ. We challenged Emmanuel to share what he had learned with two non-believers and he told us he would share it with his Muslim friends. Richard is a great example of students taking ownership of the movement as he will now be discipling Emmanuel!