IFES Interaction
IFES Interaction Teams
More information is available on their website: http://www.ifesinteraction.org/
Students from Ireland are currently serving on Interaction teams in: Nice (France), Madrid (Spain), and Kharkov (Ukraine).
In the past graduates from Ireland have worked in: Slovakia, Portugal, France, Cyprus, Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Austria and Moldova.
We also have an Interaction Team here in Ireland, working with International Students in Dublin.
Interview with César Munoz
IFES Interaction Team, Madrid, 2006-8
César Munoz, an ex- AIT student is serving students in Madrid as part of an Interaction Team. We emailed him a few questions, and here's what he had to say about his experiences to date ...
Why did you choose to go to Spain with IFES?
While in college at the Athlone IT, I had been enjoying the work at the Christian Union, but it was during the last years, and especially as my time in college draw near to its end that God put in my heart the desire to serve Him full-time. Even though student ministry is what I enjoyed the most, I was considering other options, as I thought serving with IFES was an expensive option and I could not understand how God would provide - no matter how many times I had heard God providing for others in similar circumstances. But finally I decided to trust in His faithfulness (He had an excellent track record!) and indeed I can now see His amazing provision. Regarding choosing a country, I knew of the need and "hard soil" of Spain, and I also thought that if I wanted to be more effective and get involved in the long-run, the wisest move was to come back to my home country.
What is life like to on an Interaction team?
To be in the Spanish team is a privilege and a blessing. There are two teams, one in Barcelona and one in Madrid, where I am. Often my team-mate Gisela (from Puerto Rico) and I laugh at how well we complement each other and form a very good team. She has an excellent experience in leading Bible studies and discipling students whereas I feel more comfortable evangelizing, so we learn from each other. Our leader, though based in Barcelona, keeps good contact with us and comes once a month to train us and make sure everything is going well. Besides, our two supervisors, who are leaders in the national movement, encourage, advise and look after us also. Regarding culture shock, it doesn't really apply for me as I'm Spanish and Gisela is not doing badly either as her native language is also Spanish. But for both of us it's a new and beautiful adventure!
How have you seen God at moving?
Being in Spain in an IFES Interaction team is in itself something amazing, and also to see the way God has provided and keep providing. It's wonderful the way that God has put people on our path, such as a Belgian girl that we were helping to find accommodation; from that time she's come to all our events and meetings and she now invites along her non-Christian friends! She has acknowledged that she's in a spiritual search!
How has God been at work in you?
I have been learning so much, from God and from those He's put around me, my team mate, the team leader, my supervisors, and the students. God is also developing me spiritually and as person, as He shows me a lot about myself, whether it is gifts I need to put to use or areas He and I have to work more on. However it's also quite easy to get discouraged to see the lack of concern and involvement of Christian students in the CUs, so I learn more and more to trust Him and put all situations into His capable hands. The labourers are very few, and the harvest is really, really plentiful.