Deeper Interaction

Thursday and Friday, I got to spend some really fun time with a couple of my international student friends. On Thursday, I met with one friend, named "Oliver" and he taught me some of his language, and I learned about him and his family. It is interesting to interact with people from different cultures because the Islam that they practice is so different, and their level of commitment to it also varies. The student that I got to spend time with on Friday, "Sam," told me a lot about his country, and we had a great time just talking. Neither of these friends are fasting for Ramadan, so I'll be able to have coffee with them in the afternoon before Sep. 30. I was really encouraged to get to spend some time with these students and be able to get to know them and learn a little bit of a couple other languages. It really is an adventure to get to know these students. I know that God has some big plans for this ministry, and I hope that I will be able to be used by God in the way that he wants to use me.

Meeting Students

Orientation was a good time and a good opportunity to meet several students, but an even better opportunity to spend some time with international students so that they will know me and recognize me as someone who can help them. I was able to go to lunch with a group of about 20 int'l students and meet many more int'l students at a large Int'l Student Reception reception on Tuesday, help about 100 students verify their documents on Wednesday, and take a group of about 20 int'l students on a rainy tour of DC on Thursday. Here is a picture of me taking a group shot of the students during our tour sent to me courtesy of one of the Chinese students. During that week of orientation, I met 3 Muslim students whom I will spend more time with over the coming weeks and months.

Yesterday, I came up to campus to just see who I could meet after Friday prayers, and I met two students from Saudi Arabia. It is really encouraging to know that many of you are praying for me in this endeavor as I am trying to meet students and build relationships with them. I have a couple of students that are wanting to help me learn a little Arabic and a little Farsi, and I am looking forwarding to getting to know them through that.

This is an exciting time to try to meet Muslims because it is the month of Ramadan for them, which means that they are fasting every day from sunrise to sunset for 30 days. This is a great time for us to pray for them as they are trying to be especially closer to God and seeking spiritual things during this month. It is a great opportunity for the Holy Spirit to plant some seeds in their hearts. You can go to http://www.30-days.net/muslims/ to pray strategically with many other people for the Muslim world.

So, be praying for these 5 students that I have made connections with, and pray that I would be able to grow those relationships and make connections with even more strategic students.