Generosity Test

As I sit in front of a friend's fire at 11pm before turning in for the third night of sleeping in her spare bedroom, I'm reminded of how much my life hasn't turned out like I thought it would have five years ago.  Often birthdays bring about reflection and this year is starting out so surprisingly that I wonder what will come later.
This last week has been a test of generosity and openness as I was asked two days before my birthday to help find housing for a few basketball players without electricity for a bit.  I figured I was out of town and instead of asking some of the people in my network that I might as well just let them stay at my place.  After all, it wasn't like I was using for the next two nights.  Then came that third night when I got home about 9:30 and the real test.  After being at a training for four days and celebrating my birthday with my parents, I was starting to look forward to being home.  I opened the door to see things spread out in the house, not a mess, but clearly, the electricity wasn't back on yet.  I knew they had practice for another hour, so I called up a friend to see if I could stay in her guest bedroom, just in case.
So I waited around, cleaned up a tiny bit (very thankful that the apartment wasn't as much of a mess as it usually is, but still aware that it wasn't as clean as I usually like to have when I entertain guests).  Finally, one of the guys came up... the only one of the guys I had ever had a conversation with and knew his name.  So we arranged for them to stay there another night, then the next day I found a place for the guy to stay while the other one went home.  Due to time mix-up, I ended up even bring him along to the InterVarsity end of the year Christmas party with all of the students.
Turns out he had a great time and he even went to church two days later with his host and has plans to go to keep going to InterVarsity and church.  Later that Saturday night, as I set up the all to regular movie night with my Sunday School class, I invited him along.  The guys and I watched a great movie at his host's house, then I went back to campus to pass out water bottles to drunk college students.
Throughout Sunday, I knew it was time for the guys to move back into my apartment... this time 3 of them as it had finally gotten too cold for the remaining two.  So I packed my things, headed to work then off to my friend's house for another night where I even got to catch up on my end of the year giving.  And here I am, two nights later, having spent three of my five days at this age in my friend's house while 2-4 guys that I barely know stay in my apartment.

So maybe this story would have happened in my life that I pictured five years ago.  But honestly, I think looking into the rest of that story I wouldn't have been so open to it.  Two years ago, I read a quote which I just learned is from Christina Cleveland, who will be speaking on Racial Reconciliation at Urbana15.  "Privileged people of the cross seek out, stand with, and stick their necks out for people who have problems that are nothing like their own."
I don't think I knew what this meant, until I started learning who I was in Christ. See, the other side of this story is about race. The basketball players are black and I live in a predominately white section of town. This could have caused problems (especially as my downstairs neighbor keeps an eye on my apartment when I was out of town), but when I returned today she was helping the full time guy get into the apartment as I ended up with both keys.
When I took him to the Christmas party, I know a few students wondered if he was my boyfriend, even though I had just learned his name earlier that day.  But I had to be ok with having that conversation with them.  He stuck out quite a bit, not that he was the only new person, but he was one of the only guys and let's be honest, he's tall and black... not what our group often sees.  Now as I think about the guys staying there, I can't help but smile.  That's the only response (and I still haven't done the dishes from it yet).
Then there's the almost weekly movie nights where we often get pizza and watch a Netflix movie.  The only requirements are: it can't be R rated (my rule as they're under 18) and there has to be at least one black guy in the movie (their rule as they're not white and want minorities to be represented at least some).  Now I loved movies with my youth group growing up, but I was blessed by an amazing small group of all females my age and a great leader who, even still, models Christ's generosity with time and resources.  My youth group's topics are vastly different as the 14-15 year old guys are athletes with different experiences and aspirations (real and pretend).
And I could go on and on... about how I bought a kid some presents who won't get many, about how much I'm able to give to God's work, about the time it takes to text and pick up most of the youth group.  About the hard conversation we had at the student leaders meeting as we start seeing push-back from students against discussing race and if it really matters.
Five years ago would I have given up my place for five nights to strangers, mentored kids nothing like myself, spent time and money driving people around, tutoring youth, or giving money when needed to this extent?  I mean, I've always loved to give, but does God really expect us to give this much?  Can't I at least sleep in my own bed, enjoy a movie I want to watch, or keep everything over the 10% for the church?
God calls us to be a servant to all people.  Yes, this week has been a challenge as I recognize the privileges I have (including an open door to a guest room, a car, electricity, and knowledge to teach), and make conscious choices to share that with people with problems that are nothing like my own.  But at the same time, I wouldn't change a thing.  The journey has taken me in areas I never dreamed, and I can only imagine what will happen in the rest of this year, starting with Urbana 15 then on to an Urban Program for my area and large groups focused on race and ethnicity.  Please join me on the journey towards generosity, openness, and willingness to seek out, stand with, and stick your neck out for someone with problems nothing like your own.

World Changer: Marsha '15

Working at a nonprofit can be a lot of fun, but also very tiring. The hours are long, but seeing these kids progress academically and socially is the most rewarding part. My skills that I've learned through being an e-board member and small group leader at IV at Fredonia have helped me tremendously at this job. For example, I work in a really good neighborhood (Jay street/Metrotech), but some of these kids don't live in the best neighborhoods or come from the best homes. They can take it out on you, but what I've learned is that all I can do is be all who God has called me to be and trust that God will use me as I am now. But quite often, they just need someone to talk to, so I've had to be that listening ear. I've also learned the importance and power of prayer. Like I've stated before, all I can do is be me, but God is much more powerful and he knows exactly what these kids need and how to give it to them. 

Holly's story of act:2015

For me, act:2015 could be summarized with the words worship, community and action. Group worship is one of my favorite things. Being surrounded by others that share the same faith is extremely encouraging. We worshipped multiple times in our plenary sessions. We also used manuscript studying techniques. Worshipping in the form of manuscript study was a new concept for me. I loved it! Really digging deep into the Word is the only way to let it sink in enough to make a difference. Psalm 119:11 is a great example of what our attitude should be towards scripture. When you really understand the context, it is much easier to hide it in your heart and mind to call upon in times of trouble.

As for the community aspect, most people go to find new friends from different chapters, but I got closer to the people in my own chapter the most. That was exactly what I needed. I went through a very difficult time a couple weeks after the conference and I was able to call on my new InterVarsity friends to pray and help me through.

Every single session was geared towards action, hence the name act. One of the most impactful moments for me was being challenged to set up a meeting with a friend to witness to them. So intimidating that I didn’t do it when we were told. I froze up and didn’t know who to call. At that moment I was very disappointed in myself. I’ve been a Christian my whole life, I shouldn’t have had a problem with that! After wallowing in pity for a little bit I decided to text my suitemate Grace. This girl is feisty and I live with her. I was so scared that she might be offended and I’d just end up creating tension. However, God knew what He was doing. (He always does of course, I’m just stubborn.) Grace and I were close friends at the time so we were eating lunch together the week after the conference and doesn’t she blurt out  “So, you wanted to talk to me about God?” I’m sitting there totally unprepared in what I wanted to say, so I just started speaking. Ya never know how that’s gonna go. This time it went pretty well. I told her what the Gospel is and why I love Him the way I do. She didn’t have too much of a response. Throughout the next week or so, I talked with her and her roommate Celina about the typical controversial topics of Christianity. Still no decision from Grace. Her boyfriend in the Navy then messaged me on facebook and told me that Grace “is giving it a shot.” I was ecstatic! I gave her a Bible and invited her to InterVarsity, but I didn’t see much of a change or serious interest in learning about God, so I backed off. Yesterday, on November 22nd, she texted me saying exactly this. “You win, I’m on your side, no doubts anymore” Praise be to God, as He knows exactly what He’s doing! *Side note, I procrastinated on writing this and even in that God showed me He had a plan. If I didn’t, you wouldn’t know that Grace took the first step in her new walk.

To conclude, I’d like to challenge you to TRUST HIM. We studied Daniel and one thing that stuck out to me was Dan. 3:17-18. Daniel trusted that God knew what He was doing, even if He didn’t deliver him from the furnace. That is the kind of faith and trust we should all have.

Holly Lang

Freshman Biology major

SUNY at Fredonia

More stories of God at work!

More testimonies from Basileia's student leadership conference. 

Thank you so much for allowing me to grow deeper in my faith at Basileia!  I can't wait to put God's word into action next semester as I enter into leadership on E-board at Fredonia.  God has beautiful plans for me and I'm so undeserving of His Grace, but still He chose to call me child!  [Sophomore]

Thank you for your generosity and prayer.  IVCF has helped me and my friends form closer relationships with God and has provided many opportunities to be His hands and feet on campus and in the community.  Thank you for being a friend to students like me who desire to see God move! [Junior]

Thank you so much for blessing me with the funds for Basileia.  This week I was faced with the questions "What does it mean to follow Jesus where He goes?"  "What's holding you back from following completely?" I realized that I am very weak.  I often times doubt God's faithfulness and limit His works to my own capabilities.  I have had a lot of time to spend in prayer asking God to kill the doubt and renew my faith.  During the Retreat of Silence, He showed me this word and I hope it is encouraging to you as it was to me.  Romans 5:2  "Because of faith, we stand in an undeserving privilege, surrendering to His leadership.  Praise God that His mercies are new every morning.  [Sophomore]

Thank you very much for the generous donations you have given to InterVarsity.  Personally, it allowed me to attend Basileia.  While at this Christian retreat, I experienced God in new ways and grew much closer in my walk with Jesus.  InterVarsity has changed my life as well as many other students'!  Some have made the decision to follow Christ while others have grown closer to Him.  WIthout your donations, much of this would not be possible. [Senior]

Thank you so much for blessing me with the opportunity to experience God this week at Basileia.   As a member of the Fall 2015 E-board [Student leaders] at Fredonia, I took away from all the messages on being more missional.  On the last night, the word was from Matthew 25:45.  God has really been pressing on my heart to love the least of these while at Fredonia, that will look like reaching out to the inclusive education students at Fredonia and in my dorm.  Next semester I will be intentional on reaching three specific girls in my dorm.  Praise God for the heart H has give me for His creation. Proverbs 31:8-9 [Sophomore]

Thank you highlights!

Below are some testimonies from students to the ministry partners who support InterVarsity prayerfully, financially, and with their time. 

Joining InterVarsity has changed my life so much.  I came into InterVarsity broken, with your support I was given the opportunity to worship God with some amazing people that helped fix that brokenness.  Your consistent support has given me the chance to grow stronger in my faith, which is something that I doubt would have taken place if I was back at home.  [Freshman]

Thank you for supporting InterVarsity at Fredonia!  I have learned a lot of new things within this past year being a part of InterVarsity.  One thing I learned was how to hear Jesus speak to me.  With this, I will keep hearing Jesus throughout my life! [Senior]

You honestly don't know how much your constant support means to me.  InterVarsity has helped me become a better person spiritually and mentally.  Honestly, I don't know what I would do without InterVarsity and the fellowship they provide.  My experiences at InterVarsity have been life changing and I hope that the Lord blesses you with all you need because you well deserve it.  I hope in the near future I can become the leader that you want me to be, so that I can help support the next generation with their experiences with InterVarsity.  [Freshman, new small group leader]

InterVarsity has helped me grow spiritually- through intimacy with Jesus, as well as the importance of fellowship.  With this, I will continue to grow in my relationship with Jesus - the most important relationship of all!  Thanks again! [Sophomore]

You have done an amazing thing for InterVarsity.  You have given girls like me hope to get to know the Lord and what he stands for.  InterVarsity has helped me get through a lot of [struggles] during the school year and I know stand here in triumph because my past no longer defines me, and InterVarsity helped me through that.  I am forever thankful that I can continue my journey in InterVarsity for the next 3 years.  Once again, thank you for everything you have done.  [Freshman]

Thank you for your prayers, financial support, and kindness throughout my time at Fredonia.  I just finished spending five days at Saranac Lake for our annual Basileia conference.  Basileia is Greek for "kingdom" and one cannot help to think about the kingdom of God as a place, right?  But at Basileia, we have learned that the kingdom of God is a person, not a place.  We took a look at the parable of the generous landowner, and it brought to mind that God is a generous landowner who supplies and abundant amount of grace to all his children. [Senior]

Your support has helped me a lot.  If it wasn't for your support, there would be no InterVarsity at SUNY Fredonia.  I will always be grateful that I got the chance to grow in my faith through InterVarsity.  As I continue my years at SUNY Fredonia I will always remember the growth that I've experienced in InterVarsity in hopes that the class after me may experience the same thing.  I just wanted to let you know in case no one has told you before you are amazing and all that you do for InterVarsity is well recognized.  Thank you again.  [Freshman]

NYCUP

I hurt for the things brought up during the NYC Urban Project.  For the injustices in the world that are present here in Fredonia/Dunkirk as well as in NYC and around the world.  I think specifically of the youth I see regularly as they go through struggles.  I pray for wisdom in how to support them, understanding for what they're going through and compassion to join along side them however that looks.  I never imagined I would be doing tutoring at the Salvation Army with 15-20 kids and running a program there for hours each week, that I would have such a heart for people who are growing up in so different of circumstances, that I would cry with them and for them when they hurt.

My viewpoint on justice has changed since I've been able to live it out regularly.  I don't feel like NYCUP taught me much that was new as I knew about human trafficking and it's prevalence, I knew that I have trouble feeling and that sometimes it gets so bad that I'm not only suppressing my difficult emotions, but that I lose all desire to do anything, including simple tasks.  I knew that I needed to work on accepting love and being shown love as well as being more vulnerable to share my feelings even in the midst of the constant pain that I feel.  It's hard to accept that I can't do everything, but having the staff support to accept that makes a difference.  I need that regular support and I felt truely loved as I arranged for a ride home and had three people willing to come and get me, even if that meant borrowing a car to do it.  

Many of the phrases used during NYCUP I had heard before when I looked over the past notes from NYCUPs and training: discussing LoGOFF (Local, Green, Organic, Free, Fair Trade), ethnic identity, human trafficking, poverty + isolation=exploitation.  But I want to increase my conscious thoughts for how I live in terms of the 4 P's: Pray, Purchase, Partner, and Policy.  I want to continue to press into who I am as a Pennsylvania Dutch white person and what that means for how I relate to others.  I'm thankful that I've grown in my own ethnic identity dramatically since I joined staff and then made the decision to fully invest in Dunkirk.  I know that I have privileges that many others don't have and I want to help alleviate the differences when possible, knowing that they cause some types of poverty and isolation.  I want to start next year with the goal of becoming a MEF and learning about who we are, embracing it and desiring wholeness in Christ.  I know that others are watching my life and I feel that while I'm not perfect and I still have a long way to go, that I am far enough on the journey of racial reconciliation to invite others to join along side of me, even those who haven't considered their white culture.  I never would have imagined my life turning out this way, but I wouldn't give it up either.  I want that same thing for others so that they can see the bigger picture of the body of Christ.  We need people of all races, ethnicities, ages, and voices to see who God is, to join alongside each other to rejoice and cry.

Fredonia and Geneseo students know there's hope in Christ. 

NYCUP gave us the chance to join alongside UVA in prayer around the police brutality that happened during the trip, to cry with others as they shared their psalms and were given permission to feel, to puzzle together what it means to accept our ethnic identity, and to rejoice as 10 joined in the body of Christ on our final night.  Now as we return to our campuses and consider what this means for ourselves we know what we are inviting others to: a fuller picture of God's Kingdom on this earth.