Another Rockville!

A blessed and fruitful time in Rockville, Maryland!

We left Ithica, New York and drove to Rockville, Maryland. There we enjoyed the hospitality of a wonderful couple that reaches out to international students through ESL classes held in their home! Richard shared in 2 services in their church on Sunday, and Carol shared in their ESL Sunday class. Richard told "Gau's" story of his first time in a church. Gau heard a message by a departing intern sharing God's leading and saying goodbye to the church family. Gau shared, " When I heard of the faithfulness and love of God it seemed altogether reasonable to me to open my heart to Him." Such a sweet story, for this man had yet much to learn about our wonderfull Savior ... but he was ready to receive. Richard encouraged us to be a faithful and loveful witness as we reach out to international students and love them into the kingdom.

We met some former international students who told us that Richard was telling their story and as a result, they now want to be involved in reaching out to others ... I love it when God turns on the light! We are so blessed to see this ministry warmly received by pastors and laity alike. Many signed up to do whatever they could to help.

NE Reg'l Staff Conference: Ithica, NY

dateline: March 11, 2011 We traveled to Ithica, NewYork; location of Cornell University for our annual regional staff conference. Dr. Koshi was our main speaker. He came to Syracuse, NY as an international student and stayed to answer God's call to be able to address the despair and lonliness international students feel with Christian love and hospitality. He determined to come and share with us despite illness and was visibly strengthened after prayer. He challenged us to love lavishly and sacrificially, like Jesus loves us.

Our prayer times strengthened us all and help us get acquainted with folks who are new or visiting.

We had 5 guests as a result of our contacts. One husband was so excited that he decided to become an active partner with his wife in this ministry and could see his giftings fitting in to extend the kingdom! Another young man left encouraged, considering becoming staff.

On Saturday we prayer walked the local campus, Cornell. It is exciting to see that the local staff are already experiencing breakthroughs with students as a result of the prayer that weekend! God is good! One student of Hindu background prayed to renounce all influence of hindu gods. A muslim student sought to begin an intensive Bible study. We are blessed to be a part of this family of believers and excited to see God moving in student lives in this new outreach area.

Strangers, Foreigners, Aliens ...Lev 19:33

In conversations recently with international students, Richard and I separately had the same experience. God is confirming something here. Each student mentioned the kindness and friendliness of their experience with believers was drawing them to know Jesus.

One student wants to be like these people so much he is calling himself a believer even though he does not yet know the whole story of what that means. How powerful, how simple ... a cup of water in Jesus name:

a dish of food prepared, a ride to the grocery store, helping hands, a song sung, a listening ear...a word in season, and a sound simple teaching when Holy Spirit prompts us.

Americans have a reputation world wide for making poor friends. Students tell us "People say 'how are you?' but don't even stop to listen. They don't really care."
Let us raise the weapon of kindness and friendship, and watch strongholds come tumbling down ... so the King of Glory can come in! 2 Cor 10: 3-5

"I see the King"

Sometimes it is easy to see God at work, like at ICF 2/11/11! The worship focused on His love. At the end of worship time a gift was offered; a new winter scarf given freely, in love, to whomever would receive it. " This is how God's love is given, freely to anyone who will reach out

and take it." Overcoming skepticism and fear, 3 students finally braved the way forward and shyly received the winter scarves. What a great picture for us all. Then Richard's teaching on God's forgiveness put words with the picture. Starting with Science News articles and moving from Genesis 1 to Luke 15 the Holy Spirit captured the ears, minds and hearts of many students. One student later shared " I thought the Bible was just another book and like any book but your teaching made it come alive!" Thank you Holy Spirit, for moving in hearts and minds this night.

"and your neighbor as yourself."

We have been experiencing alot of winter this month! As hearty New Englanders we have been challenged, but for international students this may bring culture shock to a crisis.

One of my international student friends wrote on F/B " Freezing cold & snowing...Hate it!!!" and "Man vs Nature: at this hour Nature won! Tons of snow have me trapped at home."

Our first international student/friendship partner arrived in January (not unlike this winter) from Indonesia! Because his Dad had been a diplomat, Suri arrived with one winter coat. He was fortunate to have it. However, until we were able to take him shopping it was also his blanket! A Nigerian friend wouldn't leave her dorm if it was snowing or icy. For students from warm climates our winters add to the cultural difficulties and academic challenges.

Breaking the grip of winter
the ICF volunteers reach out to students and help them get warm winter gear, or transportation. On Friday nights the warm dinner and family atmosphere draws students out of dorms and labs! Volunteers are heros as they overcome winters' obstacles to be on campus to feed and welcome the alien in our land (Lev.19:33;Luke 10:27). This is just one more way we love our friends into His Kingdom!

a Visiting we Go!

It is January, and winter, so we knew to plan our travels locally. What we didn't know is that it would snow the night before early morning church visits. Ouch! We made it , though!

There are many blessings in church visits: the joy of renewing friendships, making new friends, being able to say "thanks" in person, and seeing people receive the vision that is international students. When students and volunteers from ICF at UConn join us the joy is exponentially multiplied!

the Christmas Kaleidoscope Concert

A Kaleidoscope is a beautiful form to view; anything that constantly changes,
as in color and pattern.

As a concert it was also a delight to listen to it. On December 3, 2010 and sponsored by ICF, 8 campus ministries came together to reach out to the community and campus. Talented musicians, singers and dancers from all the groups provided the music to tell the real story of Christmas. Of the 150 attenders about half were international students. Besides refreshments, Jesus dvd's were offered to all. Another good gift given by Jesus was to a young man facing brain surgery. One of the ICF student leaders approached Richard and asked him to come and pray. Two weeks later in the pre-surgery exam, the doctors found the problem dramatically shrunk and ended up doing a minimal procedure!!! The next day this young man was strolling in his garden with his dog and telling our ICF leader he was safe and fine! Thank you Jesus!!! A beautiful thing indeed.