Jeanne Bostick, IV Staff in Orlando, FL: The small group I led this semester reached out to international students through a conversation hour each Thursday at noon, right before our small group began. The University has a program for teaching English as a second language in preparation for these internationals being admitted as full-fledged students, and they seek volunteers who will talk with them to help them perfect their English-speaking abilities. What fun it was to get to know some of them in this way! Several went to a football game with our chapter, some went to a party, and some even invited two of our group to their party! One gal whom I got to know is a Christian from Syria and wants to join one of our small group Bible studies next semester. Praise God for these beginning opportunities to share the Gospel with those who may one day carry God's truth back to the countries!

Brian Chang, ISM in Atlanta, GA: Our students assisted the Atlanta Chinese Christian Church in a Christmas Festival for underprivileged children. This event brought 120 African-American, Vietnamese, and Hispanic children together. Approximately 100 volunteers prepared food, games and a worship service to present the Gospel. It is very encouraging to see Emory students reaching out.

Stephanie Saimes, ISM at Chapel Hill, NC: I'd say about 85% of my conversations with students in the last six weeks (Advent) have centered around the mind-boggling idea of God's self-disclosure in Jesus. Internationals imagine they are surveying "god portraits" by world-renowned artists and then pick the one they find most compelling. When people begin to meet the God who really is, they begin to change.

Stan Klassen, ISM Staff in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada: A long-time prayer of mine finally came to pass in September. We became aware of an increase in the number of established Christian internationals, many of whom did not know one another and were not plugged into any of the existing Christian student clubs, so we invited about a dozen to our house for supper one Sunday. After the meal, we sang and prayed together, and I shared a brief devotional. They enjoyed the evening immensely and were keen to meet on campus on a weekly basis.

The core of this group (ISM campus teams) consists of three African students, three from China, one from Indonesia, and two Canadian students who have a special affinity for internationals. The meetings, which are run almost entirely by the students themselves, have been very consistent (with attendance between 6-10), as well as meaningful. Instead of feeling lonely on campus, the students are thrilled to be part of a caring and outward-focused group. The group also supports ISM events, helping out in various ways and increasing their effectiveness.

Steve Edwards, ISM Staff in Blacksburg, VA: Another step in the sowing process this fall was taking 13 international students with us for our third annual Washington D.C. trip. Four hours together in a van and late night conversations before going to sleep provide some of the best times to get to know each other. Our time was filled with sightseeing, a Thanksgiving feast, backyard football, singing and games. In addition, we visited a church's international fellowship group on Sunday morning. We prayed that by seeing Christians from various countries worshipping together, our friends would begin to see that Christianity is not just a western religion. With all the details of travel coordination and housing, I'm extremely thankful for God's provision and protection and that we didn't leave anyone in Washington. Please pray for growing friendships with many of the international students that we got to know during the trip.

Ellie Laehn, former ISM Staff in Raleigh, NC: We were sitting in Caribou Cafe across the street from campus drinking coffee and talking about the grace of God. Sue said, "I love to invite people to come to International Bible Study (IBS) with me. But then my friends say, 'We didn't know you were a Christian.' And I feel confused and say, 'Well, I'm not really a Christian - I haven't been baptized yet.'"

I began to draw "The Bridge" illustration on a napkin. I had used this illustration of the Gospel with my Friday night Bible Study group several times last year to show the girls that it is never our good works that get us into right relationship with God. It's only because God reached out to us through His Son, Jesus, that we can have a right relationship with Him, receiving His love, forgiveness, and righteousness.

After going through the illustration I asked Sue, "Do you believe that God sent His Son Jesus to die in your place for your sin?" "Yes", she answered. "And, Sue, if God were to ask you why He should allow you into His presence to be with Him, what would you tell Him?" I asked. She replied, "Because of Jesus." I leaned over to her and squeezed her arm. "Sue, I really believe that you are a Christian." And, I went on to assure her more. In a moment or two she looked at me with wide excited eyes. "You really made me feel good when you said that you think I'm a Christian already! I've wanted to be a Christian, but it's an honor to call yourself a Christian, and I didn't want to do that if it wasn't true yet."

Many internationals view baptism more seriously than Westerners. I believe this is due to how public proclamation of faith in Christ is riskier, thus more meaningful, in countries where it is against the law to become a Christian. Therefore, we need to clearly explain that personal faith in Jesus alone is how we become Christians. Afterwards, we can talk about the significance of baptism and encourage them to follow Jesus in this public confession of faith.

Ron Riesinger, ISM Staff in Portland, OR: Thank God with me for the successful conclusion of the series of International Coffee Houses for the fall quarter. We ended strong with a full Christmas dinner for 137 students and a program featuring Christmas carols, a Christmas greeting game in different languages, a rousing chorus of The Twelve Days of Christmas and a living Nativity, with a recitation of the Christmas story.

Also, thank God with me and the other staff and volunteers for the success of the third annual trip. Fifteen students and professionals from 13 countries, along with 12 American volunteers traveled together around Oregon during this four-day event. On the final morning, one of the students rose to speak for the students saying how much they had enjoyed the trip and that they could see how much we loved them through our actions. That night I went to bed tired but satisfied that God was at work in the lives of those students.

Praise God that H. from China has now come to know the Lord. He is interested in being baptized soon.

Darlene Jackson, ISM Staff in FL: Whether we sing "Caminamos, vamos, caminamos", or "Mache, mache na mache", or "We are walking, walking, in the light of God," we give our praise to Him. But, something special happens when the words we sing are not our native language. We remind ourselves that we aren't the only people among whom God has done and is doing marvelous deeds and that we are to declare His glory to all nations. We sing a number of songs in Spanish, Creole, and Swahili at our camps and conferences. With each new verse the excitement builds as we sense God's presence and our unity of spirit.

Gary and Marlene Cameron, ISM Staff in Miami, FL: Christie has a strong burden to pray for and minister to Muslims. This semester Christie has steadily built relationships with the leaders in the Muslim Student Organization while studying their culture and beliefs. She is currently organizing a luncheon open forum for Christian and Muslim students to dialogue and learn from one another.