Chapter 6: the World at Your Door

Reaching Out to Internationals

You can have an impact throughout the world without leaving the United States. There is an opportunity for you that many overlook and underestimate--reaching out to internationals.

There are more than 500,000 international students visiting this country, enrolled in our universities every year. When internationals come to America they typically bring a few special items from their homeland. They have the eager expectation of being invited to an American home for which they will have a hostess gift. Yet, only three out of every ten international students see the inside of an American home.

An even a smaller number of students are given the opportunity to visit a church. These young, 18- to 24-year-old students often develop into high-level leaders when they return to their home countries.

A Christian Leadership Ministry couple shares this story:

Nearly 17 years ago we found ourselves 12 hours away from our hometowns, making it impossible for us to go home for the holidays. We were both accustomed to being with a large crowd for Thanksgiving. We decided to have our own celebration. The first Thanksgiving was an international feast, so we had one too. We had 11 students for dinner in our small apartment. Our first child was five months old at the time. It was the year that Iran took the U.S. hostages and one of the guests was Iranian. He was quite nervous, so we assured him we held no ill feelings toward him, and we had a delightful evening.

Over the years we have continued the tradition with dozens of students coming in various numbers to our Thanksgiving dinner. We have found the best way to make them feel at home is to pass out dish towels after dinner and put them to work! They love it--many have said they felt at home for the first time since being in America. We have had several that celebrated Thanksgiving with us each year while they were in the United States. One year we learned that Asians especially like soup, so we added it to our Thanksgiving menu. The next year we had mainland Chinese students over. They enjoyed playing Pictionary so much they stayed until 10:00 p.m. They told us their favorite part was the soup!

International students enjoy being invited into your home, whether at Thanksgiving or another time. It does not have to be a holiday or any special occasion to let them know someone is interested in them as individuals. Internationals often respect professors more highly than they do other Americans. An invitation to your home is a privilege to these students and they are greatly interested in hearing the things you could share with them. They are eager to learn everything about the American way of life. They assume all Americans are Christians, and they are curiously open to the gospel.

Befriending Internationals

Many international students are lonesome and want to be around families. A good strategy is to include them in family activities. They are easy to please. Whether you take them to their first baseball game, serve them their first baked potato (a real oddity for them), include them in a family "water balloon war," or go snow-sledding, they will love it. They may even volunteer to help you do errands, chores, or a project such as painting a room. You may offer to help them learn to grocery shop or go to garage sales to find used furniture, kitchen items, or other things they need at a price they can afford.

One faculty wife remembers how the everyday task of grocery shopping can be confusing for an international student. She recalls one student who kept looking for "scratch." The student had heard others say, "I made that from scratch." Finally a store clerk realized her confusion and explained the phrase. Another student purchased a can of Crisco with a beautiful picture of fried chicken on it. Imagine her disappointment when she opened it and found vegetable shortening instead of fried chicken!

When hosting these students for a meal you might want to have another American couple join you to keep conversation going while you get dinner on the table. For the international student's comfort you may want to invite more than one student. Most internationals have other friends whom they could invite if you want a larger group for the meal.

Holidays are a good time to exchange customs and traditions. Ask them what their favorite celebration or holiday is in their home country. After listening to them, share about the holiday you are celebrating. Include any Christian heritage and watch for opportunities to share the gospel (see What to do in International Friendships).

If you have children, include them in your activities. There is a spiritual bonus: they will gain a heart for the lost, a heart for the world, love that has no cultural barriers, and relational skills they will use for the rest of their lives.

Ideas and Suggestions . . .

Where to Locate Internationals

• Ask your husband if he has contact with any international students.
• Place your name on the list for helper/friend at the university International Student Office. If your university does not have an International Student Office, check with the Admissions Office.
• Contact any campus ministries that might have special programs for international students.
• Meet international students through English language programs at the university and local churches.
• Check with community service organizations (such as the Rotary Club) that have international programs.
• Call the foreign language departments and ask if they know of internationals who would like to be friends with an American family.
• Attend international food fairs or other international celebrations.

Building Bridges with Internationals

• Invite them over to cook their favorite food from their country. You supply the food.
• Take them out to dinner, for a coke, or for a snack.
• Share American holidays.
• Allow them to get to know your extended family and close friends. Take an international student with you to visit in their homes.
• Teach English as a second language.
• Take them with you to church, concerts, weddings, or sporting events.
• View the Jesus video in their language with them. This movie has been translated into a number of languages and is used around the world to present the Gospel of Luke.{1}
• Host an international social with a number of students representing different countries. Each brings a food item, a game, and shares a song from their respective country.
• Offer a free copy of the book How to Get Better Grades and Have More Fun. This is a practical book written by a graduate of MIT and Harvard who offers suggestions for making the most of study time. He also tells his story about realizing the truth of Christianity and the impact that it had on his life {2}.
• Invite them over to watch a movie that lends itself to discussion (see Friday Night at the Movies).
• Invite them to do an introductory Bible study with you.

Endnotes

{1}This video is available in many languages through New Life Resources, 304 Dividend Drive, Peachtree City, GA 30269. Telephone: (404) 631-9916.

{2}Steve Douglass, How to Get Better Grades And Have More Fun, Success Factors, Integrated Resources, 1985. Telephone: 1-800-729-4351.

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