International Student Track Reports
An International Ministering to Internationals Shares His Experience
Anne Mallekoote
After the first International Student Track (IST) General session I had the opportunity to talk with Albert Samuel, a missionary to the United States who has been ministering to international students in Grand Rapids, MI for the past 3 years.
I asked Albert to share his first impressions of the conference, especially his participation in the IST. He replied, “I’m excited that here Jesus is highly exalted! I appreciated Lisa’s (Lisa Chinn) talk and her focus on Jesus. Peter (Kuzmic) also emphasized it – Jesus is the one who makes our choices. We need to seek first his righteousness.”
I then asked Albert if there were significant ways he’s seen God work in providing for him to attend the conference. He shared that he and his wife Lilian didn’t have the money to attend. They prayed and started to save what little money they could. A month before the conference their car (which their daughter needs to get to work) broke down, costing $500. It didn’t look like there would be enough money to attend the conference. He, his family and his church kept praying. Two days before the conference an acquaintance who had heard of Albert’s need approached Albert and asked how much money he needed. The man then gave Albert a check for $200, the remaining balance of Albert’s Urbana costs. Albert smiled broadly saying, “God miraculously provided!”
Albert again saw God’s work when he encountered a small group glitch. He had signed up to be a small group leader and was very disappointed when he realized he was assigned to a floor that already had enough small group leaders. He went to the dorm lobby, discouraged and began to pray, asking Jesus for an opportunity to serve and disciple others during his time at Urbana. As he was praying, a group of students who didn’t have a small group leader assigned to their rooms came to the lobby for help. Albert was sitting right there. He praises God for the small group that’s been provided.
Albert came to the conference desiring to understand why he was brought to the United States. He was already encouraged by Peter Kuzmic’s address. Peter emphasized the Christian’s need to yield to God and accept God’s choices for his/her life. Albert recognizes that God has led him to be in the United States, to a unique position of ministering to Indian and other international students studying at Calvin College. Albert is still seeking direction, but with excitement and hope shared, “I prayed, I shared the need with people, and I’m here. That’s how I know it’s a God thing. I’m so happy I’m here!”
I finished up our time by asking Albert what he would say to international students who were considering attending the next Urbana. He said, “Come – absolutely! It will change our life, totally, radically. All because it’s been prayed for for many years. When something is so marinated in prayer it’s going to be awesome. When this ends we begin praying for the next Urbana. God is faithful to His people’s prayers!”
Print
Email
