An English Student's Baptism!
Since our last prayer update, one of our local teams took a group of internationals to see Unsung Hero, an excellent Christian movie which came out recently. The movie brings to life on the bigscreen the amazing story of the Smallbone family (Rebecca St. James and For King & Country's Joel and Luke Smallbone). The internationals I think really connected and related with this true story of an immigrant family adjusting to life in the USA (after moving from Australia), overcoming poverty, family issues, discouragment, and depression through persevering faith in the Lord, and eventually finding their niche and calling in Christian music. At that event, I learned that one of our long-time IFC students, who has studied English and culture with me and other volunteer teachers, decided to get baptized in a local church!
Our local teams love and serve many international students, often teaching English and culture classes to meet the educational and felt needs of our students and visiting professors. We love them unconditionally, and, though we hope all of them will get to hear the Good News through us, not to mention respond to that, not all of them express interest in spiritual matters - and that's fine: we still love and serve them. But it is encouraging when those who reap the educational benefits of our ministries do make the connection between the loving character of Christ and the love which His servants demonstrate through service to 'the least of these.' On that note, about four other English language students have also started coming to an evening Bible discussion, while several more take part in day-time or online discussions offered by our local teams.