ICCP Testamonies of change in their lives, grace and abiding

Natalie Cunningham (Murray State KY) wroteon August 13, 2007 at 5:10am
Some of the staff may have remembered me when I first came to France, I thought I was going to change the world. I was going to revalutionize my study abroad program, people were going to be saved and filled with the Holy Spirit left and right. I never expected that I was going to be the one doing the changing. This seems like a story that I've relived over and over again, but I geuss until now that I have never learned my lesson.

The first thing I remember thinking about ICCP was, "well it'll be good to worship in english from time to time, but I probebly wont be challenged here, its one of those 'Grace Churches." Oh how the righteous fall and how God can humble those who chose not to humble themselves.

I believe I can honestly say that my semester in Aix was by far my most spiritally challenging semester of my college career. In a different country away from my church culture I was left to question EVERYTHING!!! If I was made to do it alone I don't know what I would have done. I look back on it now and I see every step of the way ICCP was there for me if i would only ask.

I realize now that this church, that I expected to be this small part of my study abroad experience, has become the one body of people that have taught me the most. It's all I talk about here at home. Uganda, how my ideas have changed, the fun we've had, etc.

EXAMPLE OF WISDOM:
Last night I had a friend over who I haven't spoken to in quiet a while. She moved in with her boyfriend and fell off the face of the earth. I found that the reason she refused to talk to people was because of her fear of what they would think. On one of my last days in France I had an amazing coffee with Tasha. There she told me many things, but one that I was able to use to help my friend. She told me "You never have to apologize to anyone for your sin. It is between you and God." Once I told my friend that you could just see the wheels in her head turning. SHe had never thought about it in that way. We were both brought up in a world were perfection was the goal and anything less was a disapointment to your elders and spiritual authorities.

If people take there sin and run, becasue they fear the response of their peers then no healing or repentence can happen. I fully believe in confession of sins, but it shouldn't result in disappointment but love and mourning together for sin.

That was just one thing, not to mention the Pettyjohns taking me in last minute when I got kicked out of my apartment, or the countless fun times; on the roof of the castle, on the roof of Dom's, at Apryl and Tim's
It really did make a difference for me, it was the difference of sitting home watching the clock till I could go to sleep and feeling like i had something to do and people to hang out with.

This was my long drawn out way to say that everyone at ICCP has changed me, soften me and shown me what Grace was all about.
Darren, Julie, Dom, Andy, Keri, Lindsey, Pat, Tasha, Adam, April, Tim, Teal, Meagan, and the Bates family who also loved me while I was there
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you are doing. You are making a difference and world will feel a change from all the work you are doing.

(p.s. please don't be offended if i happened to misspell your name, obviously spelling has never been my strong point)Report
Post #2Darrin Jones (France) replied to Natalie's poston August 27, 2007 at 12:48am
Natalie - thank you for your encouragement...
Amazing what God can do in a "Grace Church" isn't it??
After all, it's only in an atmosphere of grace that we can honestly deal with our real stuff.
Keep spreading the "infection" girl - you are awesome!!Report
Post #3Lindsey Pettyjohn (Indiana) replied to Natalie's poston August 31, 2007 at 10:30am
natalie,

that part where you said: "We were both brought up in a world were perfection was the goal and anything less was a disapointment to your elders and spiritual authorities."?...

i can totally relate...and the sad part is that that's totally what Jesus was NOT about...look at all the people he hung out with...the "unperfects". i think it's great that you can be there for your friend. keep on doing it. and remember that our goal is Jesus and living for him, not just pleasing our elders and spiritual leaders--'cause they're just as messed up as the rest of us. ;O)

Report
Post #4Rebecca Pearson Rudy (Eastern) wroteon September 29, 2008 at 2:43pm
My husband and I are going through a struggle of grace at our church and I am constantly encouraged remembering my experience at ICCP as well. The message of grace and "abiding in Christ" has been one point that keeps me moving forward in my own church. I have shared podcasts with my husband who is equally encouraged depsite that he has never been in fellowship at ICCP. I just want to second the complement to ICCP of being spiritually challenging and want to pray blessings to rain down in Aix.