If you would like to find out more about how you can get involved with overseas students, please contact:

ISCS Support Centre

3 Crescent Stables

139 Upper Richmond Road

London

SW15 2TN

Tel: 020 8780 3511

Email: info@iscs.org.uk

During her time at the international café, Sarah has found that God has opened the way for many worthwhile conversations and friendships - but not always in the way she expected!  God has his own ways of doing things.  One of her first encounters was with two students from Vietnam.  Despite a lovely friendship there were few opportunities to share the Gospel, but just before they returned home they invited Sarah and her husband to their flat for a Vietnamese meal.  There, Sarah met 'T', a man in his 30's and also from Vietnam, who was returning home.  Discussion suddenly opened up about the Gospel and Sarah was able to leave them with copies of the New Testament and John Blanchard's excellent little booklet "Ultimate Questions", both in Vietnamese.

Totally unexpectedly, some weeks later 'T' turned up again.  He had secured a place on a postgraduate course for three years, and shortly afterwards his wife arrived in the UK to join him.  Immediately, 'T' and 'H', showed great interest in the Christian faith and began to attend Sarah's church regularly.  They also started meeting with Sarah and her husband on a weekly basis, looking at God's Word and using Passport to the Bible as a study guide.  There were many questions raised but it was difficult to assess whether or not this was just an intellectual exercise. 

Then, one Sunday recently, the minister preached on Romans 4, looking at the faith of Abraham.  Afterwards 'T' and 'H' became very excited, exclaiming, "It's all by faith, it's all by faith. I do not have to do anything, I do not have to be religious, just believe".  'T' and 'H' are continuing to attend the church.  They may, of course, still be counting the cost of discipleship, but that is between them and the Lord.

This story is just one example of how ordinary Christians like us can be involved in God's plan of salvation for the nations.  Not all conversations lead to conversions, but God uses us as links in a chain to fulfil his ultimate purpose.  Simple, genuine hospitality can be a gateway to forming meaningful friendships with international students.  They are often only too pleased to find a British friend who can help them as they try to adjust to a different language, culture and education system.  Many of these students come from countries with little or no Christian witness.  Many of them will return to positions of influence in politics, business and education.  They present a unique, God-given opportunity for us to share the love of the Lord Jesus with people who might otherwise never encounter the Gospel.

Whether you are 25 or 95, you can play a part in caring for the alien (or international student) in your locality!  Maybe there is an international café in your area where could get involved.  Perhaps you would consider hosting a weekend away for international students (ISCS staff can provide students!).  Maybe you would prefer to offer a meal or have an international student spend a weekend in your own home.  Taking God's Word to God's World can begin right here where we are now.

* Name changed for security reasons

Crosslinks magazine August 2002 index