When I think back to times I have interacted with other cultures and languages, I recall many fond memories, but I can also remember moments of feeling confused or out of place. I remember feeling completely lost and confused as my Spanish professor spoke solely in the foreign language, and I remember the intense traffic overwhelming me on the streets of India.
But, regardless of how out of place I felt, I knew that it wouldn't last long. I would leave Spanish class and return to conversing in English. I would only be in India for a short time and would soon be back in my small, quiet town.
So, how much more overwhelming must it be for international students who know that this is the culture they will be immersed in for an extended period of time? Some students are in America for only a few months, while others are here for years. They are thrown into a world filled with a different language, different food, different music, and an overall different way of life. It is an exciting opportunity, but it can also be scary and even frustrating.
As a follower of Christ and a member of a campus ministry, I know how important it is to reach out to these students as they are adjusting to life in America and on a college campus, and I have seen the impact it can have. I have watched my friends invite international students into their homes and lives. I have seen the compassion and love they have for people of all nations, especially in a time when others are not so inviting.
And I know the hearts that are behind these actions. Yes, we are ultimately trying to share the Gospel, but it comes solely from hearts filled with love. We do not see international students as an opportunity; we see them as people. They have dreams, fears, families, and beliefs. And we want to hear about all of those things. We want to encourage them. We want to pray for them. And we want to be their friends.
When Jesus walked this earth, He did not walk around criticizing people or coercing them into following Him. He met their needs. He cried with them. He ate with them. And He shared truth with them. That is what we want to do. As followers of Christ, we are called to live life like Him as best we can. We will fail, because we are imperfect sinners, but God is faithful to work through our efforts if we are solely striving to glorify Him.
There are people that will disagree with us, and there are people that do not want to hear the Gospel. And that's okay. It is not our job to save people. It is our job to love them, to pray for them, and to share the story of Jesus with them in a way that reflects His heart.
So, if you're an American, whether or not you are a believer, make our international friends feel welcome. They need love and friendship, especially at a time when they may be feeling uncomfortable. And if you're an international student, don't be afraid to visit a church or campus ministry. We want to provide for you. We want to get to know you. We want to love you. And we want to make you feel like you belong.
