International Student Track Reports
International Student Arrivals
Ron Riesinger
They arrived on busses from all over the USA and Canada with high hopes and expectations of a mighty God. From Nigeria, Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Japan, China, India, Sudan, Guatemala, Ghana, Brazil and Australia, they expressed the desire to meet the Lord of all nations at Urbana.
Rick (Hong Kong) was urged to come to the convention by members of his church, knowing that even though he was only baptized in October, he would learn much in this power-packed environment. Sayaka, from Japan, heard about Urbana 03 from her church youth group in her country. She is looking for direction from God. Romal (India) was looking forward to time alone with God, even in the midst of 18,000 other delegates! Jay (Korea) wanted to simply "know Him more".
Two of the Americans in the International Student Track (IST), Dennis and Althea LeBlanc of Lansing, MI, said that they "felt at home" in the crowd of believers pressing around them in the registration line at Huff Hall. Louise Ryan, from Perth, Australia, who has been in the US for the past year working as a nanny was thrilled to be at the Convention and was seeking to know the "next step" to take in her Christian life. Taekum Kim (Korea) said that she wanted "to be the person God loves".
Some of the IST participants had very specific goals for their Urbana experience. Yvonne Palm, from Ghana, a student leader at Grinnell College, IA is looking for revival and intimacy with God as she seeks ideas at the convention for developing other leaders back on campus. Valdir Grassi (Brazil) from the University of Pennsylvania, wanted to "learn more" and was "open to hear His voice".
Despite the heightened level of security, and even though they were tired from long hours of traveling, students were enthusiastic about being at Urbana and expectant as they began five days of seeking His kingdom.
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