Thirty participants in the Urbana 09 International Students Track share a highlight of their experience in their own words:

"The highlight of my experience in the International Students Track is Morning Bible Study. Each morning at Urbana started with an inductive Bible study in the Gospel of John. I enjoyed the studies through which I grew in my ability to study the Bible and encounter Jesus through scripture."

"The talk by Lisa Chinn really spoke to my heart. I was convicted of how I have not been holding my own people to my heart."

"Sharing and leading to the Lord a new friend that I met during lunch on Tuesday (day 2)."

"Meeting a wonderful new friend and being able to support her and pray for her, feeling confirmation in God's leading to keep walking toward missions"

"While at Urbana the highlight to me was about how we can incarnate with our neighborhoods, with the aim of presenting Christ to them. Ramez Atallah in one of the IST [general sessions] challenged us to think of going back to our own people whose language we understand and culture, as one of the ways we can reach out to them."

"It was when Chinese students, Taiwanese students and HK students removed the dividers separating the prayer room into several smallers rooms and we could prayer together that really touched my heart! I realized that in Jesus' kingdom, we were no longer separated by any kind of forms of dividers, government, political divisions, historical backgroud, etc. We were God's children no matter where we were from."

"Meeting people at Global Connexions and [the]International Lounge. I learned a lot from stories and prayer time with seasoned Christians and missionaries"

"The inductive Bible study was awesome. The way of contextualizing the Scripture, interpreting it and understand[ing] it in deeper ways helps us to read [the] Bible."

"It was amazing to worship God with the people from different countries and in different languages."

"At Urbana, the no.1 highlight of my experience was I saw God is doing amazing things all around the [globe]. God loves us so much that He sent out His people to the world, help others, and spread hope to the world. I remember those testimonies, they really touched my heart. I could feel God’s love were flowing everywhere through God’s people, and I have that strong feeling that I want to be one of these people and do something to this world for God."

"Meeting other Middle Eastern believers"

"I loved the testimonies, seminars on how to minister to your non-Christian family, how to follow Christ without dishonoring your parents, the family group and, of course, the worship!"

"Different tribes, peoples, nations, from different lands worshiping God with one voice, a glimpse of heaven"

"It is very nice to hear all the international people talk about their lives and their commitments 20 yrs ago, and we can see the fruits now. That shows me how God can use me."

"The dramas and performances in the Edward Jones Dome that explained very important things in a very entertaining way were the main highlights of my time at Urbana 09."

"I was abundantly blessed during the International Students Track: meeting my brothers and sisters from other nations, sharing our testimonies and praying together. It opened my eyes more and more on the beauty of being part of the diverse but united body of Christ."

"On the second night, the China, Taiwan and Hong Kong groups opened the doors between our rooms and joined together to worship God and pray. All of us are so excited and moved by that moment, and I was crying."

"Realizing my calling to the medical missions field, and truly learning to worship and pray"

"I enjoyed meeting with Christians from so many different nations and developed some close friendships, too. I also thoroughly enjoyed listening to the Indian music concert by Chris and his team. The worshiping experience with over 17000 people together in one hall was something that I have never had earlier. It was just exhilarating and beyond the ordinary."

"My highlight was not a specific session or any officially organized aspect of Urbana. Instead, it was an experience of being in constant contact with God. Being able to pray with and worship Him anywhere at any time. I also loved it that I could ask any person about what God was doing in their life, and they would be excited to respond. To sum it up, my highlight was God incarnate at Urbana 09."

"The Track worship session in different languages was just amazing. It was a small glimpse of heaven with at least 79 nations praising God. It completely changed my attitude of God's love for the nations."

"Dinner. My favorite moment was actually the first night when we waited in line for about 40 minutes. The waiting actually provided opportunity to get closer with the people I came with as well as meet and become friends with other internationals. We ended up hanging out with those people the remainder of the trip!"

"Seminars and worship where God spoke directly to my heart."

"It's a very difficult question as I loved every aspect of it. But to be in particular I would say the Prayer Groups in the nights were a highlight. It was just a life changing experience to meet people from the same country and pray together. Also the Aradhna concert was outstanding. It just touched my heart...with the love for Jesus."

"On Wednesday night seeing the Koreans and the Japanese reconciled, the Hong Kong, Taiwan and China reconcile, the Malaysians and Indonesians reconcile and the prayer meeting that lasted almost 'til 1 am and no one wanted it to end"

"When I heard Sunder Krishnan’s message on praying big and praying bold,...I realized that hearing the message on prayer was just what I needed – this was the reason for my coming to Urbana, I felt the Lord tell me."

"The highlight of my experience in the International Students Track was to see so many other international students like me from all over the world. I enjoyed having Bible study with them and got to know some of the students and how God is working in their lives."

"The Communion on the New Year's Eve. It was very powerful."

"The greatest highlight was the final message that was given on prayer. That was so eye opening for me and completely overhauled my mentality about prayer."

"Simply, it all comes down to the verse, 'The Word became flesh, and He dwelled among us.' I realized for the first time what it means for me to receive His love, and share it. The incarnation and his living among us are the good news."

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