{"id":52198,"date":"2026-05-19T14:53:42","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T13:53:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/?post_type=conexion&#038;p=52198"},"modified":"2026-05-19T17:10:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T16:10:08","slug":"tables-and-stars","status":"publish","type":"conexion","link":"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/blog\/tables-and-stars\/","title":{"rendered":"TABLES AND STARS\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stepping outside of the familiar, beyond your comfort zone, often&nbsp;stimulates&nbsp;reflection&nbsp;on life and ministry.&nbsp;That&nbsp;was&nbsp;certainly Dara\u2019s experience.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Last year, she travelled from her home in Colombia to Norway for a six-month exchange program between IFES movements,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/ucu.org.co\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UCU Colombia<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/nkss.no\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Norway NKSS (Laget)<\/a>. The mission was the same, but the country, culture, and language was&nbsp;very different.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, what did she learn?&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this&nbsp;Conexi\u00f3n&nbsp;blog we hear from her. She shares&nbsp;her&nbsp;experiences of&nbsp;hospitality and&nbsp;kindness,&nbsp;reflecting on&nbsp;their place in the mission of God&nbsp;and&nbsp;student witness.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-heading wp-elements-49076ff3427caf9d778397911bb277c7\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-49076ff3427caf9d778397911bb277c7\"><strong>SITTING AT THE TABLE:&nbsp;SHARING LIFE<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For many&nbsp;in&nbsp;Latin culture, the table has always had&nbsp;a special value.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beyond being just another piece of furniture in the home, it is a space that makes encounter possible: around it we share food, but also life itself. At the table we talk and listen,&nbsp;invite&nbsp;and welcome, serve and love. Those who sit around it&nbsp;have the opportunity to&nbsp;ask&nbsp;and receive&nbsp;questions.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In many ways, the table is a place where we can look one another in the eyes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a space oriented toward human interaction, the table turns food into a language of love. Every meal carries an intention toward the other, a willingness to give, and a sign of hospitality.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-heading wp-elements-587c64d884e6208b62cf25e407062998\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-light-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-587c64d884e6208b62cf25e407062998\"><strong>My&nbsp;Table&nbsp;at Home<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"has-md-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">In&nbsp;Colombian culture, and from my&nbsp;perspective&nbsp;as a woman born and raised&nbsp;in El Eje&nbsp;Cafetero, the table carries&nbsp;deep meaning.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-media-text\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-image-fill-element has-white-dark-background-color has-background\" style=\"grid-template-columns:57% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"501\" height=\"501\" src=\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52200 size-full\" style=\"object-position:50% 50%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-1.png 501w, https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-1-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-1-300x300-1.png 300w, https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-1-70x70.png 70w, https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-1-400x400.png 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 501px) 100vw, 501px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\"><div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is around the table that families gather to share and celebrate; where memories are strengthened with friends; where newcomers are welcomed as if\u00a0known for a lifetime. At the table,\u00a0birthdays are celebrated, important decisions are made, loving confrontation takes place, and encouragement is given in difficult moments.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Behind what happens around the table there is a whole symbolic language that speaks of community, belonging, and care.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">(What happens around the table&nbsp;represents&nbsp;community, belonging, and care.)&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beyond its cultural meaning, an important question arises: could the table also be part of mission?&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-heading wp-elements-ce91417e3e12a33bf61190b9439e8940\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-light-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ce91417e3e12a33bf61190b9439e8940\"><strong>At the Table of Jesus<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"has-md-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">The answer seems to be yes. In the&nbsp;Gospels, much of Jesus\u2019 mission took place in villages, on roads, on mountains\u2026&nbsp;and also&nbsp;around tables.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jesus shared meals with tax collectors and sinners to announce good news (Matthew 9:9-12; Mark 2:15-17), challenging the expectations of those who believed that seats at the table should be reserved&nbsp;for&nbsp;them. He sat at the table with Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10). In Bethany, Mary anointed&nbsp;him while&nbsp;he was at the table (John 12:1-3).&nbsp;Something&nbsp;similar&nbsp;happened when&nbsp;Jesus&nbsp;visited&nbsp;Simon the Pharisee (Luke 7:36-50). Before&nbsp;his death,&nbsp;he celebrated the Passover with&nbsp;his disciples (Luke 22:14-20), and after&nbsp;his resurrection, it was while breaking bread with two disciples that they recognized&nbsp;him.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It seems that the table&nbsp;holds&nbsp;an important place&nbsp;in Jesus\u2019 life and ministry. It is not only a place to do things&nbsp;but&nbsp;also&nbsp;a space to be present with others.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-heading wp-elements-f9d340d6ba2e567164ac5b5b51fdc94d\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-light-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f9d340d6ba2e567164ac5b5b51fdc94d\"><strong>A Missional Table<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"has-md-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">During&nbsp;my&nbsp;six-month&nbsp;internship, in the midst of student ministry, learning, and intercultural experiences, I have observed&nbsp;this:&nbsp;meaningful questions, deep conversations, life stories, and the grace of God became visible around a cup of coffee, while sharing a table,&nbsp;or even while preparing&nbsp;<em>arepas<\/em>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Around the table,\u00a0we shared\u00a0Scripture on Monday mornings with the\u00a0Laget\u00a0team, encouraging one another. Later, around the same table, we planned, reflected, and dreamed\u00a0together.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-media-text\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile is-image-fill-element has-white-dark-background-color has-background\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 57%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\"><div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Around the table, I have also had deep\u2014and sometimes challenging\u2014conversations with my teammate. These conversations invited us to know one another better and to recognize God\u2019s presence even in our differences.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Preparing food together, setting the table, and sharing what we have cooked has become a simple yet meaningful way of sharing who we are and where we come from,&nbsp;strengthening our teamwork.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I especially remember\u00a0Christmas Eve.\u00a0\u00a0Colombians, Brazilians, and a Mexican sat together around the table to celebrate Christmas. In a different place,\u00a0thousands of\u00a0kilometers\u00a0away from our homes, we remembered together the hope brought by the birth of Jesus and the promise of life for humanity.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"504\" height=\"504\" src=\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52202 size-full\" style=\"object-position:50% 50%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-3.png 504w, https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-3-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-3-300x300-1.png 300w, https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-3-70x70.png 70w, https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-3-400x400.png 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 504px) 100vw, 504px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Around the table, good conversations also&nbsp;emerged&nbsp;after a Sunday at church or a Friday youth gathering, while we drank coffee and responded&nbsp;to questions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was around a table that I enjoyed taco&nbsp;<em>fredag<\/em>, learned new Norwegian words, discovered the difference between&nbsp;<em>bokm\u00e5l<\/em>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<em>nynorsk<\/em>, baked gingerbread cookies, and listened to stories about Norwegian Christmas traditions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-heading wp-elements-ed0373374adb19b9a4b22f1cbc3df4d7\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-light-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ed0373374adb19b9a4b22f1cbc3df4d7\"><strong>Tables on Campus<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"has-md-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">At different faculties in Bergen,&nbsp;I&nbsp;had many conversations with&nbsp;students&nbsp;that&nbsp;began around a table.&nbsp;I talked with&nbsp;students with different opinions\u2014or&nbsp;none at all\u2014about God. Some were curious&nbsp;why someone would travel so many miles to come to Norway.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And in the midst of those conversations, I could see how some faces changed when they heard that the greatest proof of God\u2019s love is that&nbsp;he chose to love,&nbsp;giving&nbsp;himself up&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;and that&nbsp;he continues to use many means to make this known,&nbsp;even&nbsp;&nbsp;bringing this servant all the way&nbsp;round the world.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-heading wp-elements-938cebdb2996eaa6e08937decc3098b6\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-light-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-938cebdb2996eaa6e08937decc3098b6\"><strong>Everyday Grace<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"has-md-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Perhaps that\u00a0is why the table\u00a0remains\u00a0a place of mission. Where bread, stories, and life are shared, God\u2019s grace also becomes visible.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sitting at the table may seem like an everyday occurrence, but it is a simple yet profound way to proclaim love, build community, and remember that life is best enjoyed when shared.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Around the table, Jesus continues to teach me that it is better to serve than to be served.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-heading wp-elements-7777d0d0718c2f6f463fa75e226fcffd\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-7777d0d0718c2f6f463fa75e226fcffd\"><strong>SKY FULL OF STARS: SPREADING KIND&nbsp;WORDS<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Have you ever thought about how your words can create, encourage, sustain, or bring hope?&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-quote\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block block-core-heading wp-elements-8dd42fcd48141e051d7f101f30b147eb\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-world-student-day-color has-text-color has-link-color has-sm-font-size wp-elements-8dd42fcd48141e051d7f101f30b147eb\"><em>\u201cDeath and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-heading wp-elements-767b732d973c38501539aee9a47fc39b\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-world-student-day-color has-text-color has-link-color has-sm-font-size wp-elements-767b732d973c38501539aee9a47fc39b\">Proverbs 18:21\u00a0<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Words can become bridges between people. They can carry good news to someone who needs it at the right moment. In a world full of noise and negativity, there is always an opportunity to be light in the darkness.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-heading wp-elements-599ef21153220b84f8c7f0166eb73404\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-light-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-599ef21153220b84f8c7f0166eb73404\"><strong>Wednesday after&nbsp;<\/strong><strong><em>Lagslunch<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"has-md-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">During Kindness Week 2025 at\u00a0Volda\u00a0University, a group of students gathered for lunch, not knowing that something simple would turn into something meaningful. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Conversations began with questions like:\u00a0\u201cWhat\u2019s\u00a0your story?\u201d,\u00a0\u201cHow did you come to know Jesus?\u201d,\u00a0and\u00a0\u201cHow do you want to be remembered?\u201d.\u00a0As they talked, laughed, and shared, an idea started to grow.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-heading wp-elements-29f94fe41adae66cc4c89dc2c55156d9\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-light-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-29f94fe41adae66cc4c89dc2c55156d9\"><strong>Good News Through Paper Stars<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"has-md-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">We had already planned to write short encouraging messages as part of our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.godhetsuka.no\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kindness Week<\/a>\u00a0initiative.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We decided to write them on paper stars, symbolizing light in a dark sky. Even when the night seems vast and overwhelming, stars still shine. In the same way,\u00a0we believed that\u00a0small acts of kindness can make a difference.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-media-text\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-image-fill-element has-white-dark-background-color has-background\" style=\"grid-template-columns:62% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"456\" height=\"242\" src=\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-e1779197383894.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52199 size-full\" style=\"object-position:50% 50%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-e1779197383894.png 456w, https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-e1779197383894-300x159.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 456px) 100vw, 456px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\"><div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At first, not everyone felt comfortable.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One student honestly said, \u201cThis seems a little silly.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Alice responded kindly, \u201cThank you for your honesty, but I really think&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;nice to do something for someone else. You never know when you might need words of encouragement \u2014 even if they come from a stranger.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Emma added, <strong><em>\u201cLet\u2019s not be ashamed of kindness.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-heading wp-elements-705d91d9fd4d5e61b3c7ca71443592af\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-light-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-705d91d9fd4d5e61b3c7ca71443592af\"><strong>Stars Everywhere<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"has-md-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">So&nbsp;we continued. We wrote, cut out, and placed the stars around the cafeteria, on classroom doors, and in the hallways.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Soon, the university looked like a sky full of stars.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some of the messages included:&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Your life is important. Make it count.<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Do well on your exams!<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Jesus loves you! Have\u00a0a nice day.<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Stop, breathe, and try again. This\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0the end.<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Don\u2019t\u00a0let today\u2019s worries cloud tomorrow\u2019s sunshine.<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The reactions were a mixture of surprise and gratitude. Some students smiled quietly. Others expressed how much they appreciated it.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-media-text\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile is-image-fill-element has-white-dark-background-color has-background\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 62%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\"><div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One said, \u201cWow, you made my day.&nbsp;I\u2019ve&nbsp;been so stressed with exams.\u201d Another asked, \u201cIs this star really for me?&nbsp;I\u2019ve&nbsp;never received something like this before.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even Sigurjon Bjarni, who described himself as&nbsp;\u201cnot very religious\u201d, returned the following week and said he&nbsp;truly enjoyed&nbsp;the conversations and wanted to&nbsp;come back again.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Interestingly,&nbsp;it&nbsp;impacted&nbsp;not only&nbsp;those who received the stars. It also transformed those who gave them.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"424\" height=\"424\" src=\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52201 size-full\" style=\"object-position:50% 50%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-2.png 424w, https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-2-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-2-300x300-1.png 300w, https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-2-70x70.png 70w, https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-2-400x400.png 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 424px) 100vw, 424px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Alice later shared that she was initially afraid of how people might react. However, when she saw their happiness and surprise, she felt encouraged. In that moment, she realized that kindness blesses both the receiver and the giver.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-heading wp-elements-b05b9441fc3735c2812aa99ca77cea33\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-light-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b05b9441fc3735c2812aa99ca77cea33\"><strong>A Message to Shine By<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That day, the students put into practice the words of Matthew 5:16:<strong><em> \u201cLet your light shine before others.\u201d<\/em><\/strong> Like stars in a dark sky, even small words can shine brightly. Sometimes, spreading kindness begins with something as simple as choosing to speak life.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>By Dara Camila Franco Alarc\u00f3n\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Dara\u2019s\u00a0immersion\u00a0in intercultural ministry \u2013\u00a0sharing life\u00a0around bustling tables,\u00a0spreading kindness through\u00a0paper\u00a0stars\u00a0\u2013\u00a0has\u00a0given\u00a0her\u00a0a richer experience of God\u2019s mission on the world\u2019s campuses.\u00a0Dara\u2019s\u00a0reflections\u00a0affirm that\u00a0such ministry exchanges\u00a0can\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/blog\/mutually-encouraged-by-each-others-faith\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">benefit\u00a0both\u00a0the person\u00a0going\u00a0and the\u00a0host movement<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-cover alignfull\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull has-parallax\"><div class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-52206 size-full has-parallax\" style=\"background-position:52% 28%;background-image:url(https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/mesa-33-.jpeg)\"><\/div><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-primary-background-color has-background-dim-70 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block block-core-heading\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>If&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;a student or staff worker, have you considered spending a week, a few months, or longer&nbsp;with another IFES movement?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-md-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Speak to&nbsp;your&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/global\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-caribbean-color\">national movement or IFES regional team<\/mark><\/a>, or&nbsp;explore&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/jobs\/#other\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-south-asia-color\">\u201cother opportunities\u201d&nbsp;here<\/mark><\/a><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-south-asia-color\">.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/mark><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"featured_media":52214,"template":"","area":[],"theme":[],"class_list":["post-52198","conexion","type-conexion","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>TABLES AND STARS\u00a0 &#183; 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