Student serves with IFI in appreciation for being served.

“I’m called to love on students, but I don’t always expect them to love us back.”

For Xia, an Ohio State campus minister for IFI, it can be very draining when the love and service she extends to students is not reciprocated. Though her head knows that the reason that she and her fellow ministers extend this love is to reflect Jesus, her heart can feel discouraged sometimes.

So it’s always nice when God responds with an encouraging surprise.

One evening, Xia received an unexpected call from Harden, an Indian student she met during IFI’s trip to Washington D.C. She had noticed that Harden was a fairly quiet and independent student, so she didn’t develop much of a relationship with him during the trip. However, through a mutual friend and regular attendance to other IFI events and trips, they developed a solid friendship.

Still, he rarely called.

Xia answered the phone with a sweet hello and was greeted the same way. Harden then got to the point: 

“I need a favor,” he said. One of his friends, who had just arrived in the States from India, had been stuck at the Dayton airport since that morning. He needed a ride to reach his host residence.

Xia’s reply: “Let me have dinner first.”

After a quick meal, Xia and her roommate (who had actually just returned from a conference in Dayton) picked up Harden and drove to the Dayton airport to meet his friend. The friend was overjoyed and so thankful that they all took the time to help him. He bought them all food and expressed how much stress he was experiencing throughout the day.

After dropping off Harden and his friend at their respective homes, Xia and her roommate went home, feeling equally tired and fulfilled. They went above and beyond to help a student

with whom they connected, and there was a still, small joy in that fact.

A few days later, Xia received another call from Harden and his friend, this time with a peculiar question.

“What is the make and model of your car?” Harden asked. He then asked if he could come to her apartment.

Xia was unsure of what to think, other than Harden might need help again. She was curious when he arrived with a big box in his arms. He opened it to present a bike carrier for her car . After installing it for her, Harden and his friend suggested the best ways to test its viability. This gift has been very crucial to Xia’s ministry with other students, as she can now offer to transport their bikes while taking them shopping for necessities or on trips to build relationships. Xia couldn’t believe their kindness, and could only offer a warm thank you in response.

But Harden wasn’t done.

A few days before IFI’s 2021 Welcome Picnic, Harden called Xia again, letting her know that he had signed up for the event as a volunteer, not a guest. When asked why, he had a simple, but profound answer:

 “I would like to help because I am helped. You and IFI have touched my heart with your hospitality. Most people think that 2020 was a horrible year, but for me it was great because of all of the friendships I’ve made. So I’m proud to be a volunteer.”

That day, Harden essentially worked a ten hour shift. He helped serve food, direct traffic, tear down displays and clean up. But before any of that, he assisted Xia in helping another student get settled in her apartment, assembling her bedframe and fixing her broken table. What. A. Day!

 

 

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. -Romans 15:13

The most encouraging surprises tend to be the ones that produce hope. For Xia, the hope of her calling to love students, and for that love to point them to Christ, is being renewed. Harden is one example that God has offered her of how going above and beyond can inspire others to do the same. And though Harden is not currently attending Bible Discussion and they don’t typically have spiritual conversations, Xia is excited to see how God will use their friendship as a blessing.

“It’s exciting to have opportunities to bless students. It’s beautiful to see those students bless others as well. Now I feel blessed!”

If only every blessing started with a call.

Then again, maybe they all do.