Last summer, I sent out my first email newsletter update with a front page article about a group of students from International Christian University in Tokyo, Japan. They came to Washington State University in order to study English in an intensive, six-week-long course. Well, this summer, a new group from ICU came to WSU, and I got to have some hands on experience helping them learn English. One of the Chi Alpha staff members here, Weston, has seen God open many doors for ministry within the community of international students at WSU. He learned of a volunteer opportunity that involved watching American films with the ICU students and discussing the content with them in English, to develop their vocabulary and critical thinking skills in our language.
So, for a little over two weeks while this volunteer opportunity was available, I spent time in a hot, stuffy classroom with about eight Japanese students and a few other native English-speakers and watched "The Incredibles" and "Despicable Me" on a dilapidated projector. And let me tell you, it was worth every minute! Though we did not talk much about spiritual topics in class, I was able to share a little of my beliefs as a Christian outside of the classroom at a weekly barbecue for international students held by various local churches at a park. Several of the students were very open about discussing morals, ethics, and related philosophical matters.
The picture above shows this new group of ICU students out for a weekend excursion at the Moscow, ID farmers' market. Along with the group's two leaders (third in back row and far right), a fellow Chi Alpha student (far left) and I were invited to join the group at the farmers' market. I hope and pray that the connections we make while the group is still here (which is only for one more week) will be fruitful for God's Kingdom.
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