Lynchburg, Va. (PRWEB) June 26, 2013
Shortly right after Liberty University celebrated its 40th Commencement, Libertys Center for Global Engagement (CGE) sent six teams of students, leaders, and recent graduates, to show Christs adore and meet the requirements of men and women about the world.

Much more than 100 students and leaders have, or are, participating in short-term trips by means of CGE this summer season. In Could, groups traveled to Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Colombia, Cameroon, and two undisclosed places in Europe. An upcoming trip to Uganda departing this week will include members of the Lady Flames Field Hockey Team.

Teams engaged in connection developing, prayer walks, sports camps, HIV/AIDS education, and drama. They also distributed educational resources and medical supplies. Amongst those they served have been a lot of kids, refugees, and orphans.

Each and every year, much more and more students embrace the universitys mission of Coaching Champions for Christ and take it worldwide by way of quick-term trips and internships. Students are provided ample chance to explore global culture and demands via the Center for International Engagement, which also offers trips over Christmas break and spring break, as nicely as events, a lot of of which take spot during its semiannual International Concentrate Week.

Dustin DuBose (08, 12 M.Div.), associate director of Libertys Office of Student Leadership, was a leader on CGEs recent trip to Ethiopia. He mentioned Liberty is a distinctive institution since its focus is on a lot more than just education.

We are not just focused on the four years you are here, we are focused on the planet, on the now and then, the here and there, he said. Its excellent to see the willingness of Liberty students to spread out to the ends of the earth and serve in these locations. That is what tends to make Liberty unique and what makes our students distinctive, that we are not just focused on our demands, on acquiring an education we are serving other folks although carrying out it.

DuBose and the Ethiopia team worked with a sports camp in a rural component of the country run by Sports Friends. He said in spite of language barriers, the group had an instant connection with the believers there and were able to show enjoy to the youngsters at the camp. He vividly remembers one boy whose loved ones had died from AIDS and whom he learned was also infected. Through the selflessness and love of 1 of Libertys students, this kid became a believer.

To see our student loving on him, to be there with him and even crying with him, showing him the really like of Christ it was extremely humbling.

Ivet Mendoza, a student on one of the Europe teams, was able to watch God function in peoples lives as she shared His enjoy in the pink light district of the city. 1 encounter with a woman named Anna especially burdened her.

We approached (Anna) and it turned into about an hour-lengthy adore encounter in between Jesus and her. I felt and I saw Him fighting for her, loving her. I couldn’t think we have been truly being utilized for anything so beautiful, Mendoza said.

Mendoza continued to pray for Anna and two weeks soon after returning to the U.S. was delighted to hear from 1 of the men and women she worked with that Anna encountered one more brief-term team and asked them to pray with her. Anna had been so impacted by her American friends she truly approached the second team herself, asking if they have been American. She shared with enthusiasm how her American close friends had told her about Jesus.

For the very first time, Liberty sent a group to Zimbabwe, which was an answer to prayer for alumnus Albert Mavunga. Mavunga returned to his house country in 2008, following graduating from Liberty, to commence Smile for Africa, an organization that operates with orphans and kids affected and infected by HIV and AIDS. The trip was in partnership with WorldHelp.

The team went around the country distributing literature and medical supplies, visiting orphanages, clinics, shelters, and schools. They also helped Mavunga by operating on a farm he has constructed to assist sustain his function.

Perhaps the greatest influence the group had on Mavungas organization was not even planned. When unexpected complications delayed some of their function, the group was capable to invest the time with the fourth most strong particular person in Zimbabwes government, the Minister of Info. This connection led to an invitation from the president to go to the capitol, where the team met more members of Zimbabwes cabinet (the president was unable to attend). They were even invited to stroll in the VIP section of the countrys very first national parade. Mavunga told the team that these connections brought Smile for Africa 15-20 years ahead in terms of credibility, mentioned Ian MacIntyre, a team leader.

MacIntyre (09, 13 M.A.R.), CGE monetary administrator, mentioned the trip opened his eyes to the significance of youngster sponsorship. The difference in circumstances for these with and with no sponsorship was drastic, he explained.

He mentioned he is thankful for his role with Liberty and the Center for International Engagement due to the fact he gets to see Libertys students make a distinction in the globe.

There is no telling the impact that Liberty has had for the kingdom of God. We send students all more than the globe we invite the students to be a element of that. I really think that Liberty is altering the world with the Gospel message through the Center for International Engagement.

About Liberty University
Liberty University, founded in 1971, is the largest private, nonprofit university in the nation, the largest university in Virginia, and the largest Christian university in the globe. Much more than one hundred,000 students attend classes on its 6,800-acre residential campus and study in its thriving on the internet education plan.





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