Kisses from a French Girl

This will probably be my last ministry post, as tomorrow (August 1) is our last day evangelizing on campus. I wanted to focus on one thing in this specific blog entry: Sergio.

As I remember saying in my last post, I was praying to meet up with him as a Spanish conversation partner. Well, I had begun to lose faith Monday of last week, when he didn't email me back over the weekend and I went up to his graduate office and he wasn't there. Tuesday, though, after I lazily sauntered to the fifth floor of this one building with little faith he would be there--mind you, I had talked to him for like two minutes to try to hook up for conversations and he didn't know me one bit--he was actually in his office, and he was keen to hook up for some coffee and conversation on Wednesday, so that is what we did.

It was cool, not only did I get special privilege to the graduate/professor coffee shop, next to the library, I also got to know Sergio a little bit, and him I. He was decently fluent in English, but still wanted prompting to sound more natural. As for my Spanish, it was a mess; but we both had a good laugh, especially when I asked him if my Spanish sounded more towards South American dialects or dialects of Spain. His response was that my Spanish was "gringo." Whatever that means :D

As for spiritual things, I definitely told him I was with Student Life (Campus Crusade for Christ) and who I live for. He wasn't "religious," but knew he had a major decision ahead of him, so he was interested in learning about God; however, later after stressful school was over, unfortunately. Towards the end of our conversation I mentioned the International Dinner (Outreach) that SL was putting on, and it hit me, he should come! I asked and he was very interested in coming, especially liking the International aspect of it. Sergio showed up and heard the gospel, to make things pointed. Nigel, a New Zealand SL staff guy, who actually visited U of I in the spring, shared the gospel with him at the meeting for a second time, after the main speaker gave his seeker-sensitive message. This was very cool to see God working here. I didn't share the gospel with Sergio, but the Lord still got to him.

I was a little worried Sergio wouldn't want to meet up again, but he was still very up for meeting up again. I met up with him today in fact. He is still considering things, but it has been cool to share my life with him a little bit, and not just the gospel. Be praying for him. He is actually the only New Zealand acquaintance that I will likely stay in contact with. In other words, he is really the only friend, outside of my team, that I was able to make here.

Big praises though for my new friend Sergio! O, and as for the French girl...I was saying goodbye to Sergio and his friend Sara from France came out of the library to greet us. After hugging and kissing Sergio in greeting, she leaned in towards me; and let me just say, it took some serious smoothness, but I think I pulled off the least awkward kiss-greeting I could. After kissing her cheek, probably a little to strongly, I was so flustered it was funny. Not knowing what to say, I was like, what is your name? She gave me an odd look, expressing clearly that she had already told me her name. Quite funny I must say!

That is about all the fun I have for you today.

Prayer Requests:

1) Sergio, that I can develop a friendship with him, even over just email; and, pray that He comes to know the Lord.

2) Deepened relationships, prayer and praise, with my project team. Even as we close that the friendships would break the surface and become life-long.

3) Praise for a good trip. I am excited to see you all when I get back!



Pictures:

1) Wellington Bay Area

2) Amanda and I posing with our flats

3) Sergio!


God Bless,

-ae