{"id":56738,"date":"2026-11-10T13:03:13","date_gmt":"2026-11-10T13:03:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/?post_type=prayerline&p=56738"},"modified":"2026-11-10T13:03:23","modified_gmt":"2026-11-10T13:03:23","slug":"finding-the-win-win","status":"publish","type":"prayerline","link":"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/prayerline\/finding-the-win-win\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding the Win-Win"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Lucas received some bad news.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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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. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Lucas was disappointed but not defeated: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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“Rather than letting this get us down, God strengthened us and enabled us to do something else instead<\/em>.\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Facing an Obstacle<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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The university\u2019s decision stood in the way of a growing ministry momentum on campus. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The GBU group<\/a> \u2013 part of Cristal Impact, the IFES movement in Guadeloupe \u2013 has been present on campus for 40 years. In the last five, Lucas notes that various events and activities, \u201chelped us grow but also put us in the sights of the university administration\u201d. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Over the last year, the administration has been tightening its rules around religious activity on campus to align more closely with La\u00efcit\u00e9<\/em> \u2013 the French principle of secularism. Permission for the GBU arts evening was thus withdrawn. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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From Arts to Sports<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Rather than dwell on this setback, Lucas says God helped them look in a different direction: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cHe enabled us to collaborate with another university society to organise a sports day.<\/em>“<\/em> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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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.\u202f <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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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.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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A Good Result<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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The SUAPS\/GBU Sports Day collab was publicised across campus, and around 100 students turned up. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cThey really enjoyed it and some were asking to do it again next year.\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Lucas also sees how its success ran deeper: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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“<\/em>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<\/em>,<\/em> through friendly conversations, students were encouraged to come along to the GBU.<\/em>\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The day\u2019s blessing also spread further than the sports hall and campus. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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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. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cIt was a really good sharing moment<\/em>,\u201d<\/em> Lucas reflects. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The cancelled arts evening may have been a loss, but the new Sports Day was a definite win. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Pray<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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