{"id":35720,"date":"2024-04-16T05:54:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-16T04:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fru.ifesworld.org\/?post_type=prayerline&p=35720"},"modified":"2024-05-10T09:59:56","modified_gmt":"2024-05-10T08:59:56","slug":"taking-tea-into-the-backyard","status":"publish","type":"prayerline","link":"https:\/\/fru.ifesworld.org\/en\/prayerline\/taking-tea-into-the-backyard\/","title":{"rendered":"Taking tea into the backyard"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cYes, we must! I know loads of students on campus; we must start something there!\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n<\/div><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Emanuel gave his heartfelt response to a question he\u2019d just been asked: could student ministry be launched on his campus in Paysand\u00fa, Uruguay? <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The IFES movement in Uruguay, Comunidad B\u00edblica Universitaria (CBU)<\/a>, has worked for many years in the capital Montevideo, where most students attend university. Traditionally, the country\u2019s economy, politics, and education have centred on the city \u2013 so much so that one lecturer has described the country as \u201cthe port (Montevideo) and its backyard\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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In the last decade, however, new institutions have been established in the \u201cbackyard\u201d, including satellite campuses of the state university. So, staff and students in CBU began praying for a student witness there, seeking the Lord for a way in.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Then, three years ago, CBU General Secretary Jorge Berm\u00fadez received a message. He didn\u2019t know the sender, Santiago, an academic coordinator at a technical college (UTEC) in the western interior city of Fray Bentos. Apparently, he\u2019d heard Jorge speak at a church a few years ago and was inspired about the need for student ministry. Could CBU come to UTEC? <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Then, more good news: Antonella, a social worker Jorge knew, arranged a meeting for him with her church pastor in Paysand\u00fa, about 125km north of Fray Bentos. On hearing about CBU, the pastor (a former high school teacher) was keen to see ministry start at institutions there and reached out to two other churches. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Through these Spirit-led connections, CBU staff and students visited Fray Bentos and Paysand\u00fa in recent months to lead two workshops: \u201cBuilding bridges\u201d (relational evangelism) and \u201cBible detectives\u201d (inductive Bible studies). Local students are now equipped \u2013 including enthusiastic Emanuel. He was able to attend the CBU national camp in March, when he declared his \u201cyes, we must!\u201d.   <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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To see this passion spread further among students, the CBU team hopes to collaborate with local churches on a two-day retreat in the area in May. They also plan to engage students in running The Mark Drama<\/a> in September. In the meantime, the newly equipped students will take their first steps in launching small groups on campus. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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In CBU, such groups have a special name: Mateada Biblica<\/em>. It conveys the friendly atmosphere of sitting around to drink mate<\/em> (a traditional South American herbal tea) and chat together \u2013 in this case, about the Bible. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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So, let\u2019s thank God for these opportunities in Uruguay and pray for CBU students as they share tea (and Jesus) in their backyard: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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