International Student Track Reports
An Answer to Prayer
Nick Johnson
For Andreata from Zimbabwe, the International Student Track at Urbana was an answer to prayer. Zimbabwe is in the midst of deep political and economic disturbances. So much so that some people are fleeing the country because of the conflict. This has taken a toll on Andreata, an undergraduate student studying Economics at Grinnell College in Iowa. There’s so much going on there, it’s difficult to face her studies with all the conflict back home.
Andreata prayed to God that she might find some relief and solace from her troubles. It’s hard facing conflict apart from others who understand. God answered her prayer by bringing her to Urbana 03, and being a part of the International Student Track within Urbana.
“I really enjoy the track. We get the opportunity to be with everyone else in the Assembly Hall, but also with everyone from our countries. For me, it’s an answered prayer” commented this energetic, devoted Christ-follower. Andreata, along with the 700+ delegates in the track, came from over 90 different countries, collectively making it the largest gathering of its kind in North America.
This African student was one of 11 students from Zimbabwe. She recounted how excited she was to learn that there were not only other African students in the track, but that there were ten other students beside her from her own country! “We just sat down together and prayed” she said after meeting her peers. “God provided some amazing perspective for us. We prayed about the AIDS situation [in Africa], the government, poverty, the educational system, for hope, for the whole country.” One of the beauties of the track is allowing international students precious opportunities for fellowship and networking with others from their countries during the five days together.
Students are housed in one dorm, which fosters opportunities for shared meals, informal times together in lounges in the dorms, and being housed together in college dormitories. Additionally, internationals study God’s Word together in multi-national Bible studies each morning and pray together in mono-national prayer meetings each night. Another student from Singapore said “I think the International Student Track is an awesome idea!” Andreata would agree.
Students attended two general sessions together in the Krannert Hall of Music near the dorms where they resided. The international student delegation enjoyed excellent teaching from Dr. Peter Kuzmic from Croatia and Lisa Espineli Chinn, national director of International Student Ministries for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Also featured was an all-international student worship band. The band consisted of students from six countries peppered all over the world—it was truly a multi-racial, multi-national effort. And delegates loved the worship! Andreata became excited when asked about the worship during the track sessions, “[It] was out of this world! The worship team, the way it was so diverse. It’s really like a piece of heaven. All these continents coming together to worship God really touched me.”
Students hope to apply all that they are learning in their specific contexts back on campus and back in their home countries. Each international student was given a complimentary copy of Think Home, a book on re-entry strategies for internationals when they go back to their home countries. For Andreata, she felt called to more intentionally pray for the church back in Zimbabwe now—“that God would move the church to begin praying for the country. On the surface, it’s Christian, but not much depth.” Andreata and hundreds of other delegates are excitedly finding their place in God’s mission during the explosive five days together.
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