International Student Reflection

Conceived last semester by three past freshman Eagle Scholars, the International Student Friends Program(ISFP) is a one on one relationship driven program with the goal of helping international students transition. The move to a different country and culture can be one of the hardest experiences of a person’s life, especially if met with a harsh and seemingly unwelcome environment. ISFP endeavors to pair an international student with a mentor with the intention of friendship, compassion and aid, and Christ-like love. For some international students, the move to Liberty is made without religious consideration, some only realizing after many weeks or even months that Liberty is a Christian university. Even after this has been discovered, the gospel as it is presented in a foreign language and culture may be confusing or downright silly to them. ISFP saw the need for missional students to speak the truth of Jesus into the lives of international students and to proclaim His name among …show more content…
Throughout the semester we began to text semi-frequently as I tried to continue sending her encouragements and thoughts of love even when we couldn’t meet. In addition to meeting with Sophie, ISFP also orchestrated servant evangelism opportunities throughout the semester. I was able to participate one morning by assisting in delivering donuts to construction workers around campus. The vast majority of workers we came in contact with were slightly hostile even to come get a donut or talk, which I mainly attributed to job restrictions. Those who did accept didn’t ask why I was giving out donuts, only graciously took them and went back. After these brief encounters I made sure to pray for those individuals, even if I couldn’t pray with them in person, that through our example and small gospel message, hopefully the door would be opened for them to see