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ISI ‘High Impact Summer’ Surpasses Expectations!

8/31/2015

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Learn more about how our recent trip to India is changing lives!

“So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.”—Psalm 78:7, NLT
 “Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.”—Psalm 25:5, NLT

“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.”—Psalm 62:5, NLT

As you may already know, summer is a season of high activity for International Students, Inc. And this year our “high impact summer” wasn’t at all what we hoped for. But, that’s because our hopes and expectations were exceeded!  In fact, International Students, Inc. has experienced tremendous results and progress in May through July this year!

First, I want to share with you one of our summer highlights: in July, we attended one of the most powerful conferences in International Students, Inc.’s history. In the beautiful seaside setting of Goa, India, we were stirred and challenged by speakers from the highest ranks of academia, investment banking, high finance, and evangelism.

Among these incredible speakers was the pastor of America’s fastest growing Chinese church, who also happens to be a champion of M:28. The message of the church? God’s work around the world is so thrilling, you almost have to see it to believe it!

Shortly after the conference, the dozens of renewed and recharged staffers of International Students, Inc., put “seeing and believing” into action. They fanned out across China, India, Singapore, Japan, and beyond, to visit and reconnect with former students! Though our staffers have returned home to the US, we’re still receiving reports how their several “divine encounters” helped lead people to Christ!

Other staffers were able to launch our M:28 Global Discipleship model by holding training sessions across China, India and Japan. They helped equip several hundred new leaders with the skills needed to help spread this new church-planting paradigm like wildfire across the globe.

What a blessing to witness such dedication to sharing God’s promise to people who might not otherwise hear it! What a blessing to know that—just like the ripple effect—these people have the opportunity to spread the Good News through the generations!

I am reminded of this by a recent letter from one dear ministry partner who shared memories of decades in international student ministry. This sister shared fascinating details of a lifetime spent reaching out to students––starting from the days after World War II to the present day. She wrote,

 I am now ninety-two years old. I still live in my home but I do very limited amounts of entertaining. It was something I enjoyed and I believe God gave me the gift of hospitality. Right now, I am looking forward to entertaining an immigrant woman and her two teenaged children from Africa. They are living in a shelter in the city and I want to introduce them to our farm life. I am so pleased that my daughter-in-law has been very much involved with ISI. She is a Bible scholar and an excellent English teacher at the ISI Conversational English School. She entertains many visiting research scholars and researchers and students in her home. My granddaughter chaperoned an ISI trip to Florida’s conference and she also attended and appreciated your class at the New York  convention a few years ago.

This story represents three generations of wonderful women, dedicated to the high calling of sharing Christ’s love with international students! This brings to mind Psalm 78:7: “So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.”

What a blessing to know that our mission here at International Students, Inc., extends itself through the generations. We appreciate so very much the support we receive from people across the world who help us continue this important work. We give all glory to God, who continues to bless us with “glorious miracles.”

Thank you for taking the time to read this update! I pray that your summer, too, is filled with amazing, unexpected miracles. I pray you put your hope in Him, and Him alone, so that He may continue working through you in unexpected ways!


Want to partner with us? Visit us at www.isionline.org for opportunities to partner with us.  



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Eleventh-Hour Miracles: God's Handiwork Shows Up—Even at the Last Minute!

8/24/2015

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Learn more about some of the students who have been impacted by our ministry.

“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1

“God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.” Psalm 18:30

While thinking about our times and current events we may find ourselves asking, “Where is God in all of this?” And while we might not be questioning His existence, we may be questioning the evidence of His hand.

The answers to these questions may not be obvious in our troubled nation and world, but they clearly present themselves in Scripture! In fact, I discovered some answers while perusing the book of Luke.

In Luke 2, Mary and Joseph have lost Jesus in the Temple. After three days of searching, they found him not only safe, but conversing with Temple leaders, “about His father’s business.” Their concern, literally, “Where is Jesus and what is He doing?” was ironically the same one troubling many of us about today’s world. And my answer lay right in the Scripture, as Jesus replied… “I was taking care of my Father’s business.” 

That’s so true here at International Students, Inc.! It is so encouraging to know that God is indeed at work, taking care of His business. We are blessed to be able to further His mission and spread the Good News. I have witnessed first hand God’s role in blessing the lives of international students—especially those we’re here to reach.

One particular story stands out. It involves some wonderful International Students, Inc. staffers. I hope it blesses you as much as it blesses us:

Years ago, staff members befriended Amy, a Southeast Asian student. The staff members kept in touch with her after she returned home. Amy returned to the US, after several years had passed, seeking a change of scenery for her teenage daughter, Mary. The staffers reached out to a Christian family with a heart for her country, asking, “Would you even be interested in taking on a fifth child for high school?”

Without hesitation, the family responded with a hearty, “YES!” Amy and Mary were astonished. Their transition to the US was not without challenges. Both mother and daughter had to overcome major obstacles: an obstinate consulate officer and myriad visa hurdles. At the last minute, though, everything was approved and they were allowed to come to the US. And that’s not even the best part!

Before leaving Asia, Mary expressed interest in becoming a follower of Christ. It's safe to say this was God’s eleventh-hour miracle! Staff members and friends embraced Mary as a sister and took the opportunity to disciple her during her stay in the US. What an incredible journey for this young lady, who came to know the Lord and saw her entire life change!

I was also blessed by this report from a student:

I used to be very confused about my future… My professor told me that I was blessed by God and that He had a great plan for me. During that year I realized that I could be a good researcher, and that I could be a useful and helpful person. My professor told me that when she had studied in Texas for ten years as an international student, someone had reached out to her, loved her and led her to Christ. This created the desire in her to reach out to other students and share the good news of Jesus with them.

Thanks to her, now I know that life does not have to revolve around money. God has a plan for each one of us and he can help us to live meaningful lives. I decided to follow in my professor’s footsteps and help students too. I am working on my Ph.D. now and even though it is not easy, I know that with God, nothing is impossible and I want to fulfill his plan for my life. I still have a long way to go and I will need to keep improving myself and growing more and more in Christ.

I hope these stories are an encouragement to you, reminding you that God’s handiwork is evident even amidst challenging situations. Remember that Jesus is constantly taking care of our Father’s business--even when it may be challenging for us to see it.  I pray that this week you find places in Scripture and in your own life where you see His artistry at work!

To learn more about international students, visit www.isionline.org.



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ISI Launches ‘Bold, Audacious’ Summer Plan

8/17/2015

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Learn more about what the Lord is calling the ISI team to do this summer!

“O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!”
--Jeremiah 32:17  

“As surely as I live, says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will confess and give praise to God.’”—Romans 14:11

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”—2 Corinthians 13:14

It is both humbling and exciting that International Students, Inc. reaches an average of 60,000 students each year. We are only able to do what we do because of the dedication of our sisters and brothers across the country—and around the world—who support our cause. I am thrilled that so many partner together in the vision to share the unconditional love of Christ with international students!

As you may know, our work at ISI continues year-round. Summers for us are not exactly downtime—this is a season of high activity and even higher impact! This summer has actually earned the designation of unprecedented high-impact! We hope to exceed our expectations for the M:28 Global Discipleship model.  

What does this look like?

We hosted key M:28 meetings that will target strategic places across the globe. Nearly 100 key business leaders met in China to become “equipped to equip others.” Seminars were also held in Bangalore and Chennai, India, equipping between 50 and 100 key leaders. In both countries, we’ve already surpassed thousands impacted by M:28––in fact, the number is impossible to count. We continue pursuing our goal to have “One hundred new M:28 Bible Studies where students are discovering God and have the DNA to reproduce” worldwide!  

In the beginning, that bold, audacious goal began at a North Texas staff Vision Retreat—as a bit of a joke. The thought of implementing 100 new M:28 Bible students seemed laughably ambitious. However, in light of all God had done in the past year, the “audacious goal” began to grow on the International Students, Inc. team!  The Spirit seemed to be saying, “Why not? See what God will do.” So after some tweaking, the North Texas ISI Team coined it their “Big Hairy Audacious Goal” for the year.

What happened next is a true testament to God’s faithfulness! We saw record enrollments at all the major area campuses. A recent “Big Howdy” welcome party drew more than 1,000 students, almost double the usual attendance!

More significantly, the staff found God already working in students’ hearts. Many of these students are from some of the traditionally hardest countries to touch, including Hindus and Muslims. One student’s first words when taken shopping were, “I am a Hindu, but are there any Christian churches around here that I can visit?”

The answer: Yes! In just four months after the birth of the “Big Hairy Audacious Goal,” North Texas already has 37 out of the 100 new M:28 Bible studies. And there are still more to be counted.

It is an honor to share such a noble mission alongside my colleagues and co-laborers in Christ. Yes, it is a high-calling—to share such a contagious love with the world. I encourage you to visit my blog throughout the summer for updates on our bold, audacious goals to see that every knee bend and every tongue “confess and give praise to God.”

For More Information:

Learn more about the M:28 Global Discipleship Initiative.
Learn how to sponsor an international student.







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August 10th, 2015

8/10/2015

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Every single act of kindness—large or small—can help reflect the love of Christ.

“Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”
—Ephesians 3:17-19 (NLT)

The harvest for which we all labor reveals itself in the powerful testimonies we receive from international students. We are so blessed to hear such amazing stories of God working in their lives! Today I am thrilled to share with you one of the most beautiful and simple testimonies this ministry has ever evoked! It not only blesses me, it reminds me of why we continue our steadfast dedication during the summer months. I hope the following story inspires and encourages you too!:

Kim, an international student, made the following statements during the drive home from one of the ISI meetings she attended: “I don’t believe there is a god. I just believe in evolution. This is what we are taught in my country. There is no god. Only science.”

“So why do you keep coming to the ICF meetings so regularly?” asked her ISI driver, “if you don’t believe in God?”

Her reply was calm, but emphatic. “I like the people there. I feel peaceful.”

Just weeks before leaving the area, Kim committed her life to Jesus. But with little time for discipleship, some worried that her new-found faith would fade. But that worry proved groundless.

Fast forward a few years later…Kim has two beautiful children and a radiant testimony for Christ. When asked where it was born, she offers a simple, yet poignant answer. “I came to see God in the love of Christians for each other,” she said. “I wanted to have that love in me.”

Stories like this remind me why we do what we do at ISI. Every single act of kindness—large or small—helps reflect the love of Christ. I am blessed that I get to witness firsthand the way ISI staff and volunteers bridge the gap between cultures. I get to see their consistent dedication. I get to see their intentionality in creating lifelong friendships with international students.

And even though it’s summer—a time when many may be thinking of vacations and long days at the pool—we here at ISI are not slowing down! We are continuing our quest to create intentional relationships. We hold fast to our commitment to revealing the Good News to people who might otherwise not hear it! Summer for us is a season of high activity and even higher impact. This summer has actually earned the designation of unprecedented high-impact! What a blessing it is to be able to say this! Kim’s story helps remind me of why we continue our steadfast dedication during the summer months.

What does “unprecedented high-impact” look like? In early July, we completed a highly successful International Conference in Goa, India.  Goa may be a beautiful beach town, but remember that ISI never practices “missionary tourism”––leisure travel dressed up as a lightweight missions project. No, Goa was an intense, strategic exploration of the culture, religions, social makeup and mindset of a nation that, by 2020, will potentially send more international students to America than any other country.

That’s why our India-centered roster included the Vice-Chancellor of India’s largest private university, a former Princeton international student who is now Vice-President of a large corporation in Bangalore, and also the pastor of America’s fastest growing Chinese church (who happens to be a major champion of M:28). And yes, yours truly––also an Indian-born former international student.

Then, just as it did following the Hong Kong conference back in 2011, our ISI family fanned out across the continent to fulfill over 300 invitations for returnee visits. In the coming months, I will be collecting and sharing some of these stories in my blog.

What a high calling––to share such contagious love with a world like ours! As evidenced in the powerful testimony of Kim, our work is not in vain. Our commitment to sharing the Good News continues to reach students from all over the world. I encourage you to check out our blog regularly for more information on our trip to India. I look forward to sharing even more amazing stories and testimonies with you!

Want to partner with us? Visit us at www.isionline.org for opportunities to partner with us. For volunteering opportunities visit http://www.isionline.org/Home/Volunteers.aspx.



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Family Trip Inspires ISI Volunteer Involvement

8/3/2015

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What does it take to ‘make disciples of all nations’?

“And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it.” Matthew 24:14 (NLT)

We are so fortunate at International Students, Inc., to have so many dedicated volunteers who help carry out our mission to help spread the Good News. Across the country, there are more than 24,000 people who continually support what we do by reaching out and befriending international students in their respective communities.

To honor these incredible volunteers, I have been sharing a series of blogs that highlight some of their stories. Today’s story features Phil, a Southern California dad who says working with international students is “enriching and enjoyable.” Phil first volunteered with International Students, Inc. in the 1980s and 1990s. He returned a few years ago after a family trip reminded him of the value of interacting with other cultures.

We hope you enjoy this amazing story as much as we do!”

Phil and his family decided to make the world their classroom—literally. Five years ago, Phil and his wife, along with their two children—then in junior high—took a trip around the world. They toured 33 countries. As a home-school family, visiting other cultures and participating in numerous service projects gave new meaning to the term “hands-on learning.” It also inspired ongoing volunteer involvement with International Students, Inc.

The journey around the globe was the “catalyst,” he said, to get involved with International Students, Inc. After the family returned home, Phil and his wife began volunteering.

“We were hoping that our kids would as well, but we didn’t require it,” he said. “One and then another just committed themselves to it. I think maybe that trip around the world helped a lot. We’re really excited that exposure to other cultures now has given them an opportunity to serve.”

Both children continued volunteering through high school. The youngest, a senior in high school, still volunteers. The international students, Phil said, really enjoy interacting with high school students.

In addition to developing authentic friendships with international students, Phil and his family also support a myriad of other activities. The family belongs to a group of about 20 dedicated volunteers in the Southern California area. The group serves students who study English at an English language school on a university campus.

“We hold a weekly English conversation café, which is actually sponsored by the language school,” Phil explained. “They are very grateful that our group takes that on.”

The volunteer group also organizes monthly events, like game nights, Christmas parties and Thanksgiving dinners in their homes, and other activities.

“We also do, twice a month, a dinner-discussion evening,” Phil said. “That’s where we get a smaller group—by personal friendship invitation only—for a free meal at one of our homes.”

This sort of interaction is such a blessing to international students. Many of those who choose to study in the US never even see the inside of an American home.

Volunteering with International Students, Inc., Phil said, allows believers to live out Jesus’ calling to “make disciples of all nations.”

“I’ve seen followers of Jesus fulfill this mandate by either going overseas as a missionary, or by supporting missionaries,” he said. “Another very effective way is to reach out to them when they come to our country.”

Helping and supporting international students just takes a willingness to be a good friend, he said.

“It’s relatively easy if you have a heart for it,” Phil explained. All you’ve got to do is become an authentic friend and invite them along to the normal things that you do with your own friends. In fact, I find, more than my non-Christian American friends, the internationals tend to be more open to the truths of Christ.”

Volunteering with international students has also blessed Phil—tremendously.

“I like doing what God has called me to do,” he said. “It’s very enjoyable and enriching to make friends in other cultures—to learn from them. For [those] who respond to the Gospel, it’s also very fulfilling to see God working in their lives.”



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