International Student Track Reports
Two Chinese Students on Urbana
Greg Steward
On Tuesday, day four of Urbana 03, at the second of two general
sessions for the International Student Track, Lisa Chinn closed her exposition
of the book of Esther with this comment: "I want you to think of your place
in God's kingdom." Afterward Jay, from the People's Republic of China, and
Rodger, from Taiwan, sat down to reflect on the convention. Jay and Rodger met
two years ago when they came in the fall of 2001 to pursue Masters degrees. Jay
came to faith August of 2002 and Rodger became a believer in the fall of 2003.
They came to Urbana together.
Jay has been encouraged to see so many young people that want to worship God in such an exciting way. "It is impossible not to be moved. I have shed tears many times. Honestly, I have doubts. But here I am with 20,000 intelligent university people. It is true."
"But I want to have more opportunities to ask questions when I have doubts. If I think something is true, I will stay on that path. I will sacrifice totally for God and his plan. I still have questions and I want to have more opportunities to have them answered."
Rodger said, "I feel the convention is good. I can feel the zeal. This large of a convention is new to me, where so many people have faith. But in some ways, I feel isolated by the language. As an international it is sometimes difficult to understand the American speakers and to talk with American students." He also had a hard time understanding the humor at the end of the general sessions. "I would hear people laughing but I wouldn't know why."
Jay admitted that he had the same problem, even though he was linguistics major. Rodger continued, "So many people helped me to come here. I feel guilty that I am not learning as much as I am supposed to." Jay encouraged him: "As long as you get the main point, it is good enough."
Rodger said that language was not a problem in the morning Bible study with internationals, although it is difficult for him to share with strangers. Jay has really enjoyed the Bible studies in the morning. He said the participation has been very good and that his leader was well prepared. Although he himself was prepared to lead a Bible study at Urbana, he was put in a group where there was already a leader. But he is happy that it turned out that way.
"Most of my Bible study has been listening to a teacher. The discussion has helped me to learn more about these passages. I think more about the passages when I discuss them with others. Sometime this week, I don't know when, I decided to read the Bible completely so I can understand it better. I believe I will do it.
The evening prayer meetings have also encouraged Jay. He said, "We pray for our country, that God would provide pastors and evangelists and missionaries. The Chinese people that I have met here have a mission. They are not here for fun. They want to do something for God and for China. I realized that I am behind in God's mission. I thought that I was doing well, that I was in the lead. I have been too confident about my spiritual growth."
Rodger added, "I want to understand God's word so that I can help others. I really want to be used by God, but I don't know if I can be that kind of person." As Lisa Chinn reminded us, "The Kingdom of God has to do with our hearts and who reigns in our hearts. You obey and God will take care of the rest."
Print
Email
