International Student Track Reports
God's Glory on the IST Bus (and Bus Lines)
Anne Mallekoote
One of
the joys of being part of the international student track (IST) is the opportunity
for conversations with students from around the world, students who are excited
to learn about Jesus. I've experienced many of these conversations on the bus
ride from Townsend Hall to the Assembly Hall - and some of the longer ones in
the bus line. Waiting for and riding the bus can be seen as an inconvenience,
an irritant, something to get through, or a place and time to see God's glory.
After one assembly meeting, while waiting for a turn to get on the bus, I talked with Elizabeth, a 19-year-old nanny from South Africa. Elizabeth had never before been to any conferences like Urbana. She had grown up in a Christian community, and while she had learned about the idea of missions, and went to a church that supported missions, she had never met or befriended anyone who wasn't a follower of Jesus. Our time in the bus line was a chance for her to share a little about her background and the ways God was challenging her through Urbana. She has a one-year commitment to stay in the United States. After that, she doesn't know what she wants to do. She's not sure why God has brought her to Urbana, but is excited to learn about mission opportunities and her possible involvement in God's mission in the world. It was a fun and interesting discussion started by the willingness to take initiative and three simple questions. "What's your name?" "Where are you from?" "What has God been teaching you at Urbana?"
That evening while riding the bus to the assemble hall I sat next to three Chinese students. I asked them the same questions I had asked Elizabeth. One of the students had been on an extensive (and busy) vacation before coming to Urbana, visiting nineteen states (including Washington State, Florida, and New York) in 2 weeks. I asked them if had become followers of Jesus in the United States or in China. They told me that they aren't yet Christians, with an emphasis on the "yet". Two of them said they are 80% of the way to becoming a Christian. The third said, with enthusiasm and encouragement from the other two, that he's 90% of the way there. I asked if Urbana was difficult or overwhelming for them. All three of them said it was wonderful. One of them said, "I love the music, it just sucks you into praising God." Another shared, "The people here are so open and honest. I really like my small group. People here will tell you what they are learning and thinking." They seemed excited to have the chance to talk about their Urbana experience and I was delighted to learn of their excitement and the hope that they will soon be followers of Jesus.
These are just two of many conversations I've had during my Urbana bus experiences. God desires to make His glory known to all people in all places and the conversations He's provided on the busses and in bus lines is one of many ways He has shown that glory to me during my time in the International Student Track at Urbana 03.
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