Fellowship is a gift that has been coming in abundance for me in many aspects through the ILS program this semester.  I find it truly a blessing to be able to live, study, eat, worship, and travel with the other members of the program.  The element of community living that is present for us really brings us closer together as we are able to experience each other in  many different lights.  It has turned the experience of studying abroad into one more beautiful than I could have imagined.

Some of the moments that I will cherish the most from this semester have been our times of group prayer.  We are here as students but we often get carried away trying to fit as much sightseeing and touring in as possible.  It’s beautiful to come together as brothers and sisters in Christ to refocus on that which is the source of our many blessings each day.  The fellowship found in group prayer helps us to realize that we are some of the many parts to the one body, and working together, we keep that body alive, refreshed, and healthy.

In the ILS program we are strengthening our formation, our faith, and our skills as leaders, while simultaneously contributing both individually and as a group to the body and mission of Christ.  The fellowship we find in each other is more than encouraging and uplifting as we prepare ourselves to become the best leaders we can be through serving.  St. Magdalene of Canossa is one of my favorite examples of serving, other than Christ himself.  She lived a life of charity through humility, and of humility through charity.

Sarah Eby

ILS Spring 2009