universities are closed; GBUCI is open

In spite of the school closures, students are creating new groups in various districts

When we last wrote about GBUCI Côte d’Ivoire, the country was in great turmoil, and the universities were closed. Since then there has been an election of a new president, but the situation still remains difficult for students. According to Mathieu Guei, General Secretary, the university and its residences will remain closed, by government order, until September 2012.

However this has not stopped the ministry of GBUCI! Mathieu writes: ‘Glory be to the lord of the universe, lord of the university! He has finally allowed us to hold our national convention with a view to completing work that could not be done until now. The convention theme was “What kind of GBU in a world in crisis?”

‘Important decisions were made, including the establishment of two national boards – one for students and one for graduates. We also chose new board members and made changes to the constitution. The primary goal of this work is to effectively put students at the heart of the life of the movement.

‘In December 2011, we completed the purchase of the land for a new GBUCI headquarters. Glory be to God who is enabling us to take this great step. The time has now come for the actual construction of our headquarters. And I'm sure that God who helped us acquire the land in times as difficult as these will give us the courage and means to follow through.

‘In spite of the school closures, students are creating new groups in various districts, whether in the homes of friends or in churches, especially in Abidjan. A group of students has been meeting since November at a church in Cocody, and another group has just begun at our headquarters in Abidjan. Other groups of students continue their normal activities despite some temporary disturbances.

‘A new graduates group has also just been born and other groups are beginning to meet again. With the closure of universities, these Amis (Friends) have become a real fortress of strength for students.

‘We want to focus our energies in 2012 on evangelism and the establishment of more student groups. Students are currently getting organised for this purpose. We also want to encourage all graduates who are not a part of a group to join an existing one, or start a new one in their neighbourhood.

‘Pray to the Lord to give us the means to achieve this work for his glory and for the consolidation of the ministry of GBUCI among students.

‘Our country has a greater need than ever for peace and reconciliation. We pray to the prince of peace to do his work in the hearts of many for true and final reconciliation throughout Côte d'Ivoire.’