So for the last week a lot has happened towards me starting on campus for the school year. It actually started two weeks ago when I braved living in the basement of my old apartment re-packing everything I had packed and un-packed over my last year while doing ministry partner development.
But then the real excitement began when a few self-sacrificing friends helped me move everything out of my old apartment and to my new pad in Montréal. In all it took 16 hours to get the boxes and furniture into my lovely apartment in the heart of down-town Montréal. My volume estimation was half of the actual volume and so it took two trips to move to Montréal. It was a pleasure to have such dedicated friends who persevered through two trips to get everything moved. A lot of thanks goes to everyone who supported this venture!
Moving into the Montréal Metro Team:
The following day I was traveling to our staff retreat. We are 10 staff (including at home mom's) who serve in Montreal with Campus for Christ, and it was great to connect as friends as well as co-workers. We spent three days camping in tents, a cabin and a trailer in the Calabogie area. We got re-connected as we huddled under shelter to escape the rain Monday evening, sun bathed Tuesday, and packed up Wednesday. Interspersed we tackled the potential challenges, and made plans for frosh week - or La Rentrée at the French university.
My placement:
I will be serving mainly on the Université de Montréal campus, and secondarily on the Concordia campus. During a regular week this means that I spend 2 days on UdeM and 1 day at Concordia. During frosh this is a little less clear since there are events interspersed during the week, but if I'm not doing stuff at UdeM, then I'll be at Concordia events.
I love that all of my work and planning is to bring glory to the Lord (with the right motivations) by serving the students on campus to follow the Lord and bring his love to those around them. I pray that God's love would change lives this September!
I was surprised to remember that although I know all of my staff team from earlier ministry together (projects, retreats, school ministry) I was at this retreat as a staff member and commissioned by the Lord to be there!
House cleaning:
Since Wednesday I have been reluctantly putting my house together. I say reluctantly because I do not like house cleaning and this is intense house cleaning. I do like to make things look pretty though, so I have enjoyed purchasing matching kitchen and bathroom linens.
The Lord has graciously provided friends who enjoy helping me clean my apartment, give encouragement and company, and make the task lighter. I am now ready for my dear roommate to come and join me!
Preparing for La Rentrée:
As for frosh planning, I am making posters and flyers and facebook events to advertise our free pizza lunch next Wednesday. We have 5 students who were involved last year and are returning this year! Tomorrow night we are having a BBQ to reconvene and have them sign up to be involved in our events. As well as the pizza party, we are having a resource table at high traffic locations on campus, a bible study, and a worship night. The primary aim is to meet mature believers and arrange time to clearly communicate the ministry's vision and ask them to consider being involved through the year.
At U de M we're praying for:
- 4 new 1st year students to become involved through La Rentrée.
- 2 new mature Christians
- one of the students to start intentionally equipping other students. That is teaching others what they have been taught by God.
- Smooth integration onto campus
- Good relationship with my roommate and co-workers
- Courage and boldness to make the difference the Lord has called me to
- Prayer walks around Montréal (time, safety, zeal, belief that things are going to change)
- Blessing of French language communication
- Choose a French church to attend, serve and build community
The Lord bless you!
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