It’s more than just a catch phrase…
The reality of reaching international students is beginning to really sink in. Last month at Reach The U training we met a recent Chi Alpha graduate from a university in Kansas. Ly** is from Vietnam. When she first arrived at the university, she became friends with other students who wanted to help international students adjust to the American culture, help them find places to shop, give them rides if necessary, and become genuine friends. These friends were Chi Alpha students who eventually led her to Christ.
After committing her life to God, Ly had a vision of herself working in an international church in Vietnam. Loving her American life, Ly had no plans to go back to Vietnam. After confirming there was no existing international church in Vietnam, she felt relieved…she could stay in the U.S! She kept this vision to herself.
However, God had other plans. At a Chi Alpha World Missions Summit, God’s plan became Ly’s plan. At these summits, students are invited to give a year or give a life to missions. Her campus pastor introduced her to a missionary. A missionary who was going to plant an international church in Vietnam in 2010. (No small miracle itself!) He asked her when was she going to graduate, she replied somewhat sheepishly, “2010.” He also told her they were looking for someone with a business degree. “Ly, what’s your degree in?” Again sheepishly, “Business.”
Ly is going back home this September, now as a Christian. Not only does she want to reach Vietnam through this new church, but her unreached family.
Reach The University, Reach The World.
For The Campus, Daran
**Ly’s name was changed to protect her identity.
