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Last spring break, a group of I-V students and staff participated in a mission trip to Indiana. (Indiana?!) The Ft. Wayne Refugee Project introduced students to the realities of the refugee experience in America. Here is Jennifer’s story:

The Lord has brought me here to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where I am having the best time of my life! It is full of fellowship, learning, and greatest of all, spending time with our Lord and Savior. I had a difficult time making the decision to come, rather than hitting the beach or going to the mountains with friends, but with guidance from the Lord, here I am! I became a Christian last month, and was beginning to fall back into my old self—but this week has brought me back home.

There are eight of us students here at Centlivre Village Apartments, working with refugees from Bosnia, Iraq and other places. Sharon Barnhart (my partner) and I are spending time each day with a family from Bosnia. On a typical day, our InterVarsity project team starts out with a quiet time dealing with God’s love for all people, a lot of worship and prayer time, Bible studies and a training time with a guest speaker. We learn about understanding people and cultural differences. The Lord has really been with us this week, working not only through us, but also within us. Our relationships among ourselves and with our new friends have grown extremely fast.

Sharon and I eat dinner each night with the Gracanins: Ramiza (mom), Hasan (dad), Belkisa and Halid (the children), and usually with Belkisa’s friend, Edisa. We’ve learned their traditions, from taking off your right shoe first to eating from one dish in the center of the table, with your right hand only. The Gracanins have shared their lives and stories with us (about their old life and refugee camps) in ways they never have with any other Americans. And the Lord has allowed us to share Jesus with them.

After dinner, the I-V staff and students come together to reflect and have awesome fellowship time. All of us stay in a two-bedroom apartment, where we have learned a lot about respecting each other. My love for God and others grows tremendously each day through this week of praying, worshiping, studying the Bible, valuing each other, taking risks, holding each other accountable, and learning to love. We are serving God. Our actions and words complement each other through this Christ-centered week of team-building.

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Some time has gone by since I wrote the above. Upon returning to school after break, my eyes have been opened. Suddenly, I’m noticing the international students passing by. Just a smile seems to brighten their day, and I’m amazed how much I can learn from others. No matter what country we’re from, we all come from God.

This was definitely a spring break I will never forget. The love and compassion for all people that God gives to us stays within us, wherever we go. I have realized that my whole life is a mission, no matter what my location. I’m learning to ask, "Is there someone in my life who does not know what Jesus Christ did for us? What can I do to show them Christ’s love?"