a life-changing experience
this is how I learn day by day to trust God, investing in the life of students and people I meet, with joy, passion and humility!
You may know Mauritius as the home of the extinct dodo bird. It’s also home to SCF Mauritius, an IFES movement that definitely is not becoming extinct!
According to Chris Philippe, who recently started work as part-time staff, SCF is more than alive and well. ‘I have never seen such a thirst and transformation in people!’ he just wrote to us.
We asked him more about his involvement with the movement:
‘My first contact with SCF Mauritius was during a camp. I didn’t want to go at first, but I have no regrets since this camp was a life-changing experience! As a result, I started to get more and more involved with the group.
‘Some months later I went to a conference in Madagascar where God pointed out areas of my life he wanted to change. I could see myself in the same situation as the rich young man (Mark 10:17-25) whom Jesus told, “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
‘It was quite challenging as my father had always kept reminding me that I should complete my education successfully, find a job as soon as possible and start helping him financially in the daily expenses of life.
‘He had sacrificed himself for all of his children, to help us stand on our own; so I was shaping my future according to my father's dream so that he could be proud of me, so that I could take care of him in the future.
‘Suddenly I knew that choosing God’s way meant giving up all my dreams and plans. I was brought to tears and I was so angry against God!
‘My hands were clutching tightly to my dreams. So many years I had shaped each one…but now I could feel God’s words echoing in me – ‘I have a plan for you and I want the best for your life.’
Some months later, Chris had the opportunity to attend IFES World Assembly in July 2011. ‘It was a great opportunity for me to learn more about IFES, to receive and share with others. I asked God to give me clear directives and an understanding of what he was calling me to do.
‘When I watched Parade of the Nations, a video profiling IFES affiliated movements, I was brought to tears! I had strong conviction that God was asking me to take up the challenge in Mauritius, that he is calling me to be a part of the staff team of SCF.
‘When I informed my parents of my decision, they were shocked and thought that with time I’d change my mind. Since then my dad started to accept my decision, but my mother is still against it. I have also recently had many offers of well-paying white-collar jobs, but I refused them, even though sometimes my heart was torn!
‘But recently SCF organised a camp for the students. This was my first experience attending as a staff worker. One night during a praise and worship time, God started touching the lives of students: all of them were on their knees, crying, repenting, asking forgiveness and praising God! Through this, God made me understand that working with students is what he is calling me to do and that if I had a white-collar job I would never have seen that!
‘So this is how I learn day by day to trust God, investing in the life of students and people I meet, with joy, passion and humility!’
Give thanks with us for SCF Mauritius and for staff there who make such a difference in the life of students. Pray for Chris as he continues to grow as a staff worker.
Pray too for students and staff as they plan an up-coming conference in July on the theme of ‘rescuing our generation by shining like stars’.
Ps: To learn more about the testimonies of Chris and others, watch this great video produced by SCF!
