Design Responsibility: Freeset Tees

I'm so excited to find out that InterVaristy will be able to use Freeset brand T-shirts for our New Student Outreach this year. Part of being a responsible designer--or a justice-minded producer in any vocation-- is thinking not just about the what your design communicates, but the means of it's production. The small responsibility we have in deciding the materials we use is a opportunity to do business with those who act justly in an unjust world.

Freeset is a T-shirt factory and print-shop that employs women who escaped from sexual exploitation and slavery. Located in Sonagacchi, the largest, most infamous sex district in Kolkata, India, Freeset provides a first paying job to people who, though they are set free, have been abandoned by their families and shunned by society. Freeset is a community that trains, encourages, and fairly compensates these women, giving them a new way to live.

Freeset Employees

We used Freeset's Tees for Urbana 09, but had trouble using them for less foreseeable purposes. They didn't have an American distributor, so we would have to wait 6 months for Tees to ship by boat, and then pay international tariffs that kept being billed months afterward. Good luck telling a chapter of students "we sold out, just wait 6 months" for their start-of-school outreach campaign T-shirts. Its hard to get them to order them without the need for rush shipping sometimes.

This year I asked that we check with Freeset again, and they now have a distributor, a volunteer! Praise God for the people in the unseen roles, the administrative and sometimes thankless jobs, who make the work successful and good business possible. Freeset can be more profitable than ever, and InterVarsity students can be proud to wear their T-shirts, knowing that at least in this small decision, we are being just. Check out Freeset >>

Freeset also changed two of their standard colors to Grey and Navy-- the two colors I happened to spec for our new NSO designs!

The Every Day: Desparate Pleas

While I try to keep donors and prayer partners keyed in to the large projects I do, I rarely report on the day-to-day requests. But little projects come and go as large projects are in different stages. And to the staff I do the little projects for, they are just as important. Here's an example of how I many staff interact with me: a desperate plea from a new staff who's gotten himself in a last-minute graphics tangle (names removed to protect the innocent):

"I have a favor to ask of you.  I tried doing an iron-on t-shirt…ick…no good.  So I am designing online.  Here is the logo I want to use the front of the t-shirt.  It's too small and low res.  It needs to be 16 inches wide.  I need it in a format I can upload to the online design site for the t-shirt printers.  I have no experience, but I'm trying to keep this cheap, as I am not fully funded.  It's a simple design and would take not any time to put together…minutes really.  I used the Garamond font as recommended in the graphic standards.  I need it ASAP."

This request came in on a Saturday, but I happened to be in the office working on something else. So I took half an hour and made him the right files. I know just what a t-shirt vendor would need and I have the programs to create the right kind of file quickly. A staff might be stuck laboring over this type of thing for hours. I'm glad this person contacted me, because many staff don't know twentyonehurndred is available to help. On the other hand, sadly, if every InterVarsity staff asked us for things like this, we'd never have time for the big projects. His response to what I sent: 

Praise God Grete!!!  Thank you so much for your help!!!

I don't know what he'll use his T-Shirt for, but I know I've helped one of our staff closer to a ministry goal, and to better representing InterVarsity. All in a day's work.

Facebook Infographics: funny goes a long way...

We post joke infographics on twentyonehundred's facebook page every week for InterVarsity staff, students, and whoever happens to run across them. Usually they poke fun at InterVarsity culture, college student culture or have fun with Christian trivia. We make ourselves laugh, and it gives the scattered campus staff we serve a chance to know us better (and know that we understand them!). I always contribute ideas, but don't usually design (I've designed 5-6 this year). This week, however, but I was on deck and spent a day designing it.

After it'd been posted, an encouraging word arrived from a staff:

“Congrats. The St Patrick's Day infographic was just shared by a good friend of mine, who happens to be a transgendered atheist. You are officially connecting with the real world. No idea whatsoever how my friend saw the infographic, as I have never mentioned 2100 to her (though she knows I work for InterVarsity).”

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Resolve: Northern Arizona University, two students closer to God

Northern Arizona U. InterVarsity staff Theo walks a student through Resolve.

I haven't mentioned Resolve in a while, but it planted a seed (and probably many more) that's bloomed months later. Here's two students' story, as told by staff coach Doug Schaupp:


Melody, a freshman at N. Arizona U., was initially ambivalent about learning to have conversations at our RESOLVE campaign. Theo coaxed her to try for 20 minutes. Doing it together, Melody loved it. She was surprised how smooth and comfortable the conversations flowed. Over the next few days, she not only led all kinds of students through the interactive conversation, but she even passed on the training she received to others who were ready to learn. Melody, a freshman, was experiencing the heart of our ministry, 2 Tim 2:2…"Teach the gospel to trustworthy people who are able to pass the gospel on to others.” (NLT)

Melody saw her friend Tea walking by, and invited her to talk through RESOLVE. Tea was moved by the story of the leper. She was having a “God-moment.” She opened up, “I would like to explore different religions.” Melody invited her to lunch, and asked her about her experiences of church. Tea confided, “No one has ever asked me about myself before.” She was having a second God-moment with Melody. The third “God- moment” came during worship. At our InterVarsity Large Group meeting, she felt God stirring her heart. Melody later sat with her and another friend, and explained what it means to follow Jesus. The pieces came together for Tea. She gave her life to Jesus. Melody had never been a part of someone in this life-changing moment. God has wooed Tea, and his love has won her over. God’s Spirit also touched Melody in a deeper way…she has been transformed through this experience of God working through her. They threw a party for Tea’s non-believer friends, for them to celebrate her new life in Jesus. These friends are intrigued, unknowingly also being wooed by their Heavenly Father. Please pray for them as Tea learns to tell her story of life with God. 

(The Large Group meeting at NAU was recently reviewed by a nationally-followed college ministry blog…see this link for an intriguing outsider's perspective on our ministry.)

Greek Conference: Indy Stories

“...celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” Luke 15:32

At Greek Conference Indy our text was The Prodigal Son, but our speakers highlighted both sons- the younger who lived wildly in the distant country and the older who, though he stayed in the father's house, did not understand the father's heart. Both sons shamed and were ashamed of their father, but he came out to meet them both in love and generosity. Many of the students, whether they identified with the rebellious or the grudgingly obedient, ended the conference feeling closer, and committing to living closer, to the father's heart.

While the stats help you see that, it is nothing to having been there. Of the four conferences I have attended, I have never seen the students get so into worship, even dancing and shouting to God! Usually they feel uncomfortable, but the worship leader challenged them, "If you can shout and cheer and dance for your school, or for your [fraternity or sorority] house, than you can do it for God!" And they did!

They weren't just challenged in worship, but in witness. Our speakers, husband and wife team Beau and Kristina Crosetto, stood on stage together and asked students to stand if they wanted to make a decision for Jesus. Beau spoke: "This is like a wedding! Am I going to say to my wife, I'll marry you, but I won't stand up next to you at our wedding? No!" Fifty students stood for one commitment, and half the room, it seemed, stood for the other. He called again both times, waiting for a few more, and they stood. Then friends were told to gather round and bless them.

Our MC declared at sharing time: "If your palms are sweaty you should get up here!" And students did! Many thanked brothers or sisters for dragging them there, many vowed to bring friends next year. Then came even more profound testimonies: public confessions, revelations, and repentance. "I've been lying to everyone I know."  "I've been cutting, harming myself." "I've been furious with God, because my friends died." "I've stayed away from God because I was abused."

"But I'm going to stop," each ended. "because I know now, God loves me."

MORE ON GREEK CONFERENCE
You can watch Beau & Kristina's whole talks on GreekIV's YouTube Channel. (1hr, 30 min)
See more conference photos in the GCXII Facebook Album.

Greek Conference: The Stats

Greek Conference 2012: Indy Photos

Name tags waiting for students. [All designs in photos are my work.]

InterVarsity staff Steve and Annie set up banners.

Bars--serving water-- greeted students entering the conference hall.

The audio visual set up. L to R: Dan (sound), David( lights), me (PPT), Laura (lyrics)
and Steve (video switcher).

 

An epic game of rock, paper, scissors on stage.
MC, and my good friend, Eric Holmer looks on.

Students Kelly and Daniel take a break outside the 'Lead' concentration.

Small group discussion in a concentration.

Students Hannah and Tori hug after standing to make a commitment.

Students from Purdue pose in front of the Greek Conference photo wall.

And showing you how it's meant to be used, it's me and video intern Laura.

Greek Conference: experience video

 This video gives a little taste of what it's like to be there!

Greek Conference: Set Up 2012

Here's a little gimpse of my main job onsite at Greek Conference: getting the backdrop up! See the room transform from an empty ballroom to full Greek Conference 2012 stage in this 2 minute time lapse. I'm in all black with a white scarf, you can see me running around directing our interns and volunteers.

Greek Conference 2012 - Setup Time-lapse from InterVarsity twentyonehundred on Vimeo.

Groups Investigating God

A Sunday about a month ago I was feeling worn out and discouraged. Not wanting to drive across town, I decided to attend a large church nearby instead of my own. As the girl next to me sat down after worship, a piece of paper fell out of her Bible. But it wasn't just any paper-- it was the John 1-4 manuscript I had designed for Urbana09! A perfect stranger, right next to me, holding my work. On a day I was feeling inconsequential. Whoa. I wanted to know more."Did you go to Urbana?" I asked, after the service. "No," she said, "but I really want to! I have this because my friend gave it to me. We are doing a GIG together. Have you heard of those?"  (GIG's, or Groups Investigating God, are Bible studies for curious non-Christians.) Yes, I had! I told her I had designed what she had there, and that I also had used it for a GIG with friends last year. I told her I would pray for their GIG. "Thanks," she said, "have a good rest of your day!" and she hurried off. I was stunned..and encouraged.

I was reminded to tell you that encounter this week because two different staff have reported being asked to start very interesting GIGs: at Tufts University in Boston the free thought group asked if the InterVarsity intern would do a GIG for them, and at University of Chicago a feminist reading group asked the InterVarsity chapter president if she would lead a GIG for them. 

Please pray for all these GIGs, that they would lead non-Christian and Christian alike to know God better.

Greek Conference: Ready, Set....

Tomorrow at 10 am the twentyonehundred truck with lights, staging, sound and banners leaves for Greek Conference in Indianapolis, and this year, I'm going too! I'm super excited in spite of spending what it looks like will be all of tonight monitoring the large format printer. I can't wait to spend a weekend sharing God's message of love and the community we share in Christ with fraternity and sorority students!  We have 600 students signed up, filling the room to bursting, and you can hear about it straight from the students, and from those at last week's conference at #GCXII.

Please Pray! Many students bring friends that need to hear from God, it becomes a time and a place where God can change people's lives.

And, of course, we have fun, too. Here's the opening pump-you-up video students will see welcoming them to greek conference Friday night:


Greek Conference 2012: It's Time for #GCXII from Greek InterVarsity on Vimeo.


Are you ready for Greek Conference? I am!
(Ok...I almost am.. and I better be ready before the students get there..)

Resolve: University of Michigan

Jessica Leep Fick, staff at University of Michigan, wrote about Resolve this morning: 
"50 students heard the gospel so far this week, and one made a decision to follow Jesus. Keep praying for students as they do proxes today & tomorrow!" 

 ^ Students at the U Michigan Resolve Proxe

Resolve: University of Michigan--Flint

Pictures from one of the first Resolve proxes have come my way! We requested them because one is also being used on the InterVarsity national site. Resolve in action at University of Michigan--Flint:

Resolve: New Year's Outreach

Resolve 2012 is an interactive display (we call them 'proxe stations') themed around New Years. Students write their resolutions and tell what they want to change about themselves. They’re invited to think about how God can change their lives, and to look at the Mathew 8:3 story of Jesus healing a leper. "If you want to, you can cleanse me," says the leper. Jesus is deeply moved and reaches out to touch him. Students will be trained to share how God has touched them, and invite the person they are talking with the study the Bible further (since they just did a quick bible study right then!).

About 30 campuses will use it this January, mostly in Texas, Colorado, Michigan and New England. A few staff asked for a smaller version last minute, so I whipped up the 'Resolve Mini' for them. The Display was designed in November and December and I printed them per-order up into mid-January. There were a lot of working evenings before and after Christmas, but it's wonderful to hear requests and then stories coming in.

Please pray that students and staff would be bold in reaching out by using Resolve and that God would use their faith mightily.

 ^ Resolve Mini

Behind the Scenes: Greek Conference 2012

Greek conference Charlotte is Feb 10-12 and Indy is Feb 17-19... Little more than a month away! Here are the mini versions of banners and stage panels I print to try color combinations and show to conference director Brant. He says registration is up already from last year.

Red Cup Video: UCLA and U Chicago

The Red Cup Outreach Campaign made a huge impact and I couldn’t have done my part without your support. Students thirsty for meaning, happiness, identity, and second chances have been introduced to Jesus. We produced a short video of the Red Cup outreach at UCLA and the University of Chicago. As you watch it, know that this is possible directly because of your funds and prayers. Thank you.


Red Cup Documentary from InterVarsity twentyonehundred on Vimeo.

What students are thirsting for at University of Chicago:

Central Asia: The Lamb of God

I left the big city last week and rode 6 hours through the mountains to visit a small, isolated city and the IFES work there. We rode up the switchbacks, through a tunnel, and stopped for dumplings and tea on the jailoo (mountain plateau) where a few remaining summer yurts (traditional herder's tent homes) held out against October winds. As we left the mountains for a valley filled with neighborhoods, cows stood in the road, beautiful herds of horses crossed, and chickens watched from the ditches (Why would a chicken cross the road, really?). We barreled down on a flock of sheep traveling ahead of us, led by men on horseback. The taxi driver honked wildly and multicolored sheep bounced hurriedly out of harm's way. It happened at least ten more times.

As I lay in bed that night I thought of the sheep in the symbol of the Moravian church, the conquering Lamb. I imagined that Kyrgyz must understand much better than we Jesus's role as the Lamb of God. Little did I know.

A day later my hostess, Kyrgyz IFES staff, took me to the tomb of Manas, the larger-than-life warrior who united the 40 (Kyr) tribes against the Chinese, the Russians and the Tajiks. He is celebrated in the Kyrgyz's proudest literature: an days-long epic poem, memorized by ear and chanted/rapped by Manaschi. We walked around the statues, took some cheesy pics and headed past a building my host identified as 'for shamanism.' Then we came upon a patio ringed by pavilions; each had a fireplace with a metal bowl on top. My host explained, 'Here people put sheeps and kill for Manas...hm...like Old Testament.' Sure enough a man was boiling meat; we greeted him. Another couple was skinning a hanging sheep (he) and braiding it's innards (she). Their teenage son was chopping wood in his skinny jeans. He was one of this staff's non-christian students, and as they chatted he invited us to eat when the meat was ready. 'I not eat, for my conscience,' she whispered as we left them. This staff's own family wants to come and sacrifice next year, she told me sadly. 'Yes,' I said, 'I was thinking that Jesus is our sheep for God.' 'Yes,' she said.

We wound our way up the pointed hill within which Manas's spirit is said to live. At the top, overlooking the city, she told me about Kyrgyz Christian practice. In her church, a man who can afford it gives a sheep to the church every year. They slaughter it and have a picnic feast in the mountains on Easter day. They kill a sheep to celebrate the day when God sacrificed, in place of a sheep, Himself, for us.

I am reminded of Revelation, the letter John wrote to the churches of  Turkic Asia: " I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives."
 
Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 

Central Asia: Uyger Fever

One of my earliest cultural experiences in Kyrgyzstan is one I can't resist telling, but its difficult to summarize how many differences there were to take in. While It's not nearly everything, here's my best shot: 

We are Backwards Invited

On my second day in the country, my hosts and I were invited to a Uyger (pronounced Weeger, an ethnic group) circumcision party. This would be a big, formal event held at a restaurant banquet hall. The men were invited for the morning and women for the afternoon. A long skirt and sleeves to the elbow would be a Muslim-sensitive must. I asked my hosts why I hadn't been told we'd be attending. Well, they explained, they didn't know we'd be going, since, the invitation had been given the day before. What!? In Central Asian culture, you honor the last invitation you receive, not the first. Where we as Americans might say 'sorry, I already have plans,' a Central Asian would cancel any previous plan with a simple 'Sorry, something else has come up.'  Because a circumcision party is so important--like a christening or a Chinese 1st birthday--they sent the invitations at the last moment, so everyone could come.

The Pony Poops

When the men of my host's family returned from bunch and prayer by the local imam, we women set off. Our party was much better. About 300 ladies enjoyed four course feast, games for the kids, and dancing. As we sat down to our first course, two little boys in gold embroidered hats and jackets, about 5 and 7 years old, the circumcise-ees (who seemed fine), were paraded in on a pony. Grandmas cried tears of pride and joy, everyone Ooed and Awwed and congratulated. This was all very cute until the pony pooped right next to a table of old ladies. The banquet hall, tables piled with food and all, filled with the stench of pony poo. The ladies in their glittering dresses lost no time in covering their noses with their headscarves. This is not a culture where politeness dictates one must pretend something unpleasant isn't happening.

Tigger Appears

Soon games for the kids began and the mix of American and local entertainment got surreal. Vaguely Russian tunes switched to such classics as Bad to the Bone and YMCA. A very puffy Spiderman and some sort of blue-haired fairy danced with the kids while shrill Russian-speaking Tigger directed games. An emo teenage magician with a Harry Potter cape emerged to pull scarves out of various openings. Meanwhile I had Fanta with my traditional pasta salad dish. 

I have to Dance for Everyone

When the kids sat down, the MC came over to our table where the four white, western people were sitting. Since we were the guests from farthest away, we were to be honored most by being asked to give our congratulations first. We were called onto the dance floor and each given the mic in turn. I said "Congratulations" in English, which the MC (I am told) translated as "I am so happy to be here!" Then the music began and my neighbor hissed 'Dance!' I did so. The four of us moved in a circle in our best imitation of traditional Uyger dance-- which is a bit like hula without the hips. My imitation was poor. My hosts had mentioned we'd be dancing and I had asked their ten year old for a lesson. She said 'it's like this' and twirled her wrists. I did not understand that there was no time where everyone gets out on the floor to dance. You dance as a gift to all the guests, so that everyone can enjoy the sight. And if you enjoy the dance, you give the dancer a scarf. I got six scarves. Friendly, welcoming, pity scarves. Sheer pink flowers, silky leopard print, cotton stars on blue. I was grateful and confused. 

I Consider Regifting

Other women came up, gave their congratulations and danced. When the congratulations were finished women who were beautiful dancers graced us with their movements. At one point early on I was enjoying watching an old lady (it was mostly older ladies) dance quite near our table. She looked right at me and I smiled appreciatively. We had a moment. I thought, 'Oh, I should give her a scarf,' but the only scarves I had were those I had just been given. 'Would it be offensive to give away my gifts?' I wondered. 'Would she be disappointed I didn't give her a scarf?' Later, through careful observation I discovered that regifting was happening all over the place. Ah, well. 

As the Belgian lady shouted to me over the music: it was all very Arabian Nights. 

Central Asia: Pray for the Fellowship!

I got to meet with the IFES (International Fellowship of Evangelical Students) staff for the first time yesterday! They are very busy with the start of school. I had brought a presentation about donor communications from our national staff conference, but I wasn't sure if it would apply to the staff here. But one of the first things the director asked was if I could talk about good fundraising communications! A great fit! I've also offered to share about the Red Cup outreach, and they are interested to hear about our work and how God is working among students in the States. 

I will present at the city team staff meeting on October 22nd, just before I leave on the 23rd. They have also invited me to visit a city team about a 6 hour bus ride west, over mountain passes. This smaller city may have some english-learning based activities I can help with, as well as presenting to the staff. If the trip can be arranged, and hopefully someone can come with me, I'll travel to the other city October 12th-16th, so please be praying then.

Tonight I'll be attending the IFES women's meeting at one of the Universities here, and tomorrow is Bible study. They are called 'Salt of the Earth' in Russian and meet regularly Thursday and Friday nights.The movement can be fairly open in it's activities at the moment. Since the revolution the new government has other projects than monitoring church activity, but people are still cautious (hence not naming cities). Invites are mostly word-of-mouth, ministry is relational. The work seems much the same as in the US-- we are one body!--but I'll see for myself this evening. The city team leader will pick me up and she speaks English, so hopefully she'll translate a bit for me!

Central Asia: Curb Appeal

One thing I can't get around here is the language, which means, literally, I can't get around. Today I took the marshutka, which is a van/minibus- a jitney bus like in New York or Manila, almost by myself (one of my hosts road on to another stop). When you have to stand you can only see the curb looking down through the windows, so I'm learning to remember the number of turns and the way the curb looks. I paid my 8 som and practiced Russian for "Please stop at the bus stop" and "yes, yes." 

It's roughly 45 som to the dollar, making a marshutka ride one of the only things cheaper than in the States. Lunch is a bit cheaper too--200-300 som--at the cafeteria down the road from the office. The Ex-pat co-owners go home and eat a kit-kat respectively, so I've been eating with the two other employees, women around my age, one Russian, one Kyrgyz. They both speak English & we have great lunch conversations-- I wish I could zap my friends from work here to be part of it. 

I feel like I've already settled into the work. Probably not really, but I have been helpful. We work all in one room, just as I do at InterVarsity, and there are always multiple projects to work on, so the pace is similar. I've worked on a book cover, an identity and diagrams to come this afternoon, gone on a client visit, and will give a little typography presentation to the office non-designers tomorrow. With me doing some of the design and educational work, the creative director has gotten in a little time to research new opportunities--a good sign.