We don't Mourn like those who Mourn

Working as we do with University students and young people, we rarely participate in funerals. When we do encounter death it is often tragic, since no one expects young people to leave so soon.

This would seem to be the case last week, when we learned of the death of Bernadette Tshibola, a member of the Students for Christ Liege group. She passed away in her sleep on a Saturday night, finally succumbing at age 34 to sickle cell anemia, which she had battled all her life.

However, Bernadette died as a Christian, and we are certain that her smile is ever more radiant today as she worships at the throne of God. My favorite memory of her was one Tuesday night, when we were setting up chairs for our weekly meeting. Our group numbered around 10-12 at that point, so I put out 15 chairs. Bernadette laughed, said, "Charles, where is your faith?", and put out another 15 chairs. Sure enough, a crowd of 30-35 students filled the room that night. She helped teach me not to be so "realistic".

Bernadette was someone who was always serving, always smiling, and loved Jesus. Because of this, the students and alumni of SFC who knew her decided to wear white to her funeral. They wanted to signify that they were there to celebrate her past life of joy and love, and her new life of being with her Savior. What a great representation of the fact that for those who live and believe in Christ, death has no more power, and the grave is a beginning, not an end, of true life!

Morality and Values of Euro Youth

MTV recently did a study in which they surveyed 7000 youth across Europe in order to "understand the values, hopes and dreams of young people in Europe." The results are quite interesting; for example, here are the Ten Commandments for youth in Europe:

1. Have faith in yourself.
2. Respect your parents.
3. Be honest.
4. Take responsibility for your own life.
5. Live life to the full and be passionnate.
6. Keep your promises.
7. Work hard to succeed but not to the detriment of others.
8. Be tolerant of others' differences.
9. Be happy and optimistic, even in adversity.
10. Create, don't destroy.

If you'd like to see more of what they came up with, including the "7 deadly sins" you can click here.

Students for Christ Liege

Here's a look at our group in Liege, Belgium. This video is one that we used to promote the group to new students coming in, so it is in French. It shows students worshipping at our retreat, out on campus sharing their faith to other students, and fellowshipping. They are a great group of students and friends!

 
We were excited to get to spend Thanksgiving in Colorado with my family. While we were there, we had a great time visiting with several members of our support team and sharing in the Sunday service at Chapel of the Plains in Stoneham. One of the highlights for me was spending time with the middle school girls at their Girls of Grace meeting on Monday afternoon. I shared with the girls how God called me into ministry when I was their age and the exciting adventure he's been leading me on.

It's always fun to get to talk to young people about missions. I'm thankful for the missionaries who shared their lives and calling with me while I was growing up.

Amanda

About Us

• Reached Through Campus Ministry
We believe in campus ministry because our lives were changed through Chi Alpha campus ministry. While students at secular colleges, Charles at the U. of Alabama and Amanda at the U. of Northern Colorado, we encountered what it means to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus.

• From Students to Staff with Chi Alpha
After graduation, Charles interned with XA in Bellingham, WA in 1998-9 before serving as associate staff with XA at the U. of Louisiana-Lafayette from 2000-06. Amanda interned at UL in 2002-03 before returning as staff from 2004-09.

• A New Calling and a New Relationship
A new direction opened up when Jesus called Charles to Belgium to work as an MA with Students for Christ for 2.5 years in Liege, Belgium. We also began dating long-distance during this time, and were married on July 17, 2009.

• Our vision for reaching Belgium
We believe that reaching students during their years at the university is crucial to changing this country. Through contact and relational evangelism, and mentoring believing students, we want to create a community of believers that will lift up Jesus.

• Our Support Team
Due to our work with Chi Alpha, we already have a team of churches and individuals who support us. We are currently at 30 percent of our budget. It is our hope to raise this support in the next six months so that we can be back in Belgium by Fall 2010.