You Make a Difference (August 2021)
“Don’t neglect to show hospitality to strangers...” (Hebrews 13:2)
We have an amazing opportunity to show hospitality to international students this August. Only God knows how many we will be able to touch. We could use your help with “Making the World Feel at Home!”
Quite often when we hear testimonies of international students who have come to faith, they talk about the hospitality they received through IFI staff and volunteers when they first arrived. One such student, Guanlong, said “When I came to an unfamiliar country to start my life in a totally different culture, my hosts, John and Cyndi, helped me to make the first step and made me feel like home.... Airport pick-up and temporary housing are definitely helpful to me, but they gave me more than that, which let me have a strong faith in my future student life in America. They are really nice people!”
Below is a list of some of the upcoming opportunities to serve. To sign up and for a complete list visit: columbus.ifipartners.org/events
Airport Pick Up & Temporary Housing
Since mid-July we have received a few new requests from students arriving in August who need assistance from the airport and/or a place to stay for 1-4 nights. Will you be the first American an incoming student meets?
Welcome new students at the airport or host them for 1-4 nights.
Saturday 08/14/2021 at 4-8pm outdoors
We still need help! Come early to drop food (salads, fruit or a side dish) or help with set up and stay to meet new students. Or come at 7:30 to meet students and stay around to help with clean up till 9:00pm.
Indian Independence Day Celebration 2021
Saturday, Aug. 15th from 1:00-6:00pm outdoors
We still need donations of homemade food dishes that serve 10-12 people and drinks. Help Indian students celebrate one of their most important holidays!
Tuesday, Aug. 24th from 6-9pm at OSU at the Ohio Union
Come early to help with set up from 4-6pm and check-in students from 5:30pm-7pm. Students will enjoy conversation, games, line dancing and food. Come and meet new students and join the fun!
Host a Labor Day Picnic or Barbecue!
Choose your date on Labor Day weekend Sept. 4th, 5th, or 6th.
Host International Students at a park or your backyard for a traditional American Labor Day barbecue or picnic!
Training Opportunity: Finally, you can be ready to study the Bible with a current international friend or a new friend that you will meet this Aug. and Sept. IFI Campus Staff, Russ Sermon, is offering a hands-on workshop on Saturday, Aug. 7th from 9:00am-12noon (breakfast served) for those who want to learn to use “The Discovery Bible Study Method”. This method has been a very effective tool for studying with internationals. To reserve a spot or for more info, contact Russ at:
