International Student Track Reports
Amazing Diversity
Nick Johnson
Oh, the diversity experienced this week was amazing! As an American InterVarsity staff, being privileged to be part of the International Student Track, I was treated to a picture of what the Kingdom of Heaven looks like. Students came from the far corners of the earth: Namibia, Macau, Nevis, Latvia, Kyrgystan, Chile, Liberia, Afghanistan, Norway, and Cambodia. Over 90 nations were represented!
It was an incredible picture of what the Kingdom of God will look like, when
every tribe and nation will be gathered before the throne.
This diversity fleshed itself out in a variety of ways. And each way was unmistakably beautiful in its expression.
During the afternoon sessions, students dressed in a colorful array of different outfits from their countries. Flowing booboos from Kenya, Kimonos from Japan, Punjabis with matching “pajama bottoms” from Bangladesh, as well as many others I can’t say or pronounce. They all came together to display the splendid uniqueness of the countries from which we come—all bowing before the throne of God during our time together.
Later, I checked out the prayer times each evening. Wow, what a trip! It was like getting on a plane and traveling to Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America all in one night! Hearing students pray in Indonesian, Mandarin, Korean, Spanish, and French was such a blessing. Students praying with others from their countries or parts of the world empowered them and gave them rare opportunities (while here as students, at least) to share and pray in their heart languages. Ironically, some groups, because they’ve been speaking English as students, preferred to fellowship and pray in English! While I thought this was a little strange, the students were thoroughly enjoying it nonetheless.
One night, I wandered into the African student meeting. I was greeting with the loud beat of several drums, creating unique songs I wasn’t acquainted with. Each area of Africa sent gifted musicians to the front to teach everyone Christian songs unique to their part of the vast continent. I was reminded of John’s words in Revelation where part of the company of heaven sings a new song,
“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals…Your ransomed for God saints from every tribe and language and people and nation.”
The song, the dances being learned, the fellowship was more than words could describe…God bringing the nations together to dance and praise before Him was great!
Studying Scripture each morning with international students from all over the world was also a learning experience. I was struck by the varying insights each student brought from their respective parts of the world. Students from India loved to consider the mystical or possible hidden meanings in the passage. My Korean brother challenged us to be practical with the text and to read the Scriptures “at face value.” My African brother observed (in the feeding of the 5,000 in Luke 9) the abundance of food that was not only provided by the Lord miraculously, but also the extra left over. I, in classic American fashion, found myself looking at my watch, wanting to catch the bus to get over to Assembly Hall to get a good seat.
The week was a giant lesson in diversity training. But not the kind the world offers. No, this week helped me see the value of loving and appreciating people across cultures. Of listening, of observing, of appreciating the unique contributions each nation, each race, each international person brings to God’s table. I am the richer for being with these precious students this week!
Print
Email
