Guadaloupe: Finding the Win-Win
Lucas received some bad news.
His local IFES group in Guadeloupe was no longer allowed to hold their arts evening on campus. It was a setback: the well-attended annual event was a platform for showcasing student talent while also sharing the gospel.
Lucas was disappointed but not defeated:
“Rather than letting this get us down, God strengthened us and enabled us to do something else instead.”
Facing an Obstacle
The university’s decision stood in the way of a growing ministry momentum on campus.
The GBU group – part of Cristal Impact, the IFES movement in Guadeloupe – has been present on campus for 40 years. In the last five, Lucas notes that various events and activities, “helped us grow but also put us in the sights of the university administration”.
Over the last year, the administration has been tightening its rules around religious activity on campus to align more closely with Laïcité – the French principle of secularism. Permission for the GBU arts evening was thus withdrawn.
From Arts to Sports
Rather than dwell on this setback, Lucas says God helped them look in a different direction:
“He enabled us to collaborate with another university society to organise a sports day.“
Some in the GBU were already members of SUAPS (the University Physical Activity and Sports Service), and some were studying sport. The SUAPS manager also knew the GBU and had a positive relationship with the group.
It made perfect sense: together, they began organising a day of volleyball, futsal, and other games, including a tug of war. And, thanks to an offer of catering from another student society, they would end the day with snacks.
A Good Result
The SUAPS/GBU Sports Day collab was publicised across campus, and around 100 students turned up.
“They really enjoyed it and some were asking to do it again next year.”
Lucas also sees how its success ran deeper:
“As members of the GBU, we promoted mutual support and solidarity within the university. The event helped raise the profile of both GBU and the sports society. And, through friendly conversations, students were encouraged to come along to the GBU.”
The day’s blessing also spread further than the sports hall and campus.
Leftover refreshments were shared with students in nearby university accommodation. And, then, a group of 10 students went into the city centre to give the rest to the homeless.
“It was a really good sharing moment,” Lucas reflects.
The cancelled arts evening may have been a loss, but the new Sports Day was a definite win.
Pray
- Praise God for the way he enabled the GBU group to overcome a setback in their outreach with a creative and collaborative solution. Give thanks for the way this event served the wider campus community.
- Pray for the group as they navigate the tighter restrictions on campus. Ask for a renewed level of understanding and trust between the group and the university administration so that ministry can continue on site.
- Pray for those at the Sports Day who heard about GBU for the first time – that the interest stirred in them will remain and that further friendly contact will bring them to Christ.
See glimpses of the Sports Day here.
Support student ministry in the Caribbean by taking part in the CARIFES Gift Week later this month – see more here.