The Babylonian confusion of tongues can be a help too...

Since the event described in Genesis 11:1-9, we have been left with numerous languages and henceforth the difficulty of learning them. Most people, especially students, have to struggle with this heritage of man's disobedience, but it also provides opportunities. In Sarajevo, EUSFBiH (the IFES movement in Bosnia and Herzegovina) organizes an English conversation club for students. The main goal of these 'classes' is to serve the student community with practical help. In addition, these meetings give many opportunities to build relations with students.

Starting a conversation club
Many students in Bosnia and Herzegovina are aware of the opportunities that come from being able to master the English language, so it's not difficult to get a group together. Once you've developed relationships, students will also bring their friends and the group will steadily grow. We have chosen to present this service as a club. In this way it is not a compulsory course or an extra burden, but it is fun to be together and learn English! Conversation is also the biggest need in this country, as it is the best way to develop relationships.

Do's and donts
In sensitive countries, discussing political, ethnical or religious matters is simply not done, so we only have conversations in these areas when students themselves bring them up. Culture is a good topic. We did a series on countries and their cultures, which the students liked very much. Discussing cultures which are related to Bosnian culture helped to start spiritual conversations. English classes are also not intended as a means to presenting the gospel, because students will feel deceived.

In terms of strategy, we cannot see these classes as something separate from evangelistic activities like the Alpha course and personal Bible study. They should fit into a framework of activities focused on spreading the gospel among students. Our strategy is to go out for coffee (Bosnians like to drink coffee) in town and talk in a more relaxed atmosphere. But for the last few weeks students have preferred to stay in our office and hang around with us. We noticed that if you present these post-class activities as being a normal thing to do, students will more easily stay and enjoy your company.

Verbal advertizing works best
Last summer we met Lejla*, a student who came to our English language summer school, which we organize together with IVCF students from California. She liked being with us and started to come to the conversation club. Gradually we developed a new friendship with her and she became so enthusiastic that she has already brought a dozen of friends to our EUS activities! Over time we were able to spend more personal time with her during which we were able to share the gospel. Lejla is a devout Muslim, so it's very hard for her to grasp the message of the gospel. Nevertheless she likes our English club and our fellowship so much, that she keeps coming and we keep having conversations about Jesus. God is at work and He can use simple activities like an English conversation club to enter students’ lives (in His time)!

Jan and Anneriet Boonen
jan@eus.ba
anneriet@eus.ba
IFES InterAction co-workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina

* The name Lejla is made up for personal reasons.