Neighbors
Internati nal
Calvary Church, Grand Rapids MI
Neighbors International, Calvary Church’s International College Student
Ministry has recently expanded with Friendship Families from Wellspring
Church (where our former Executive Pastor Steve Gibson is now Senior
Pastor). Please pray for this new partnership between our two churches!
After reading this article from one of our Wellspring families, please
prayerfully consider if you could help answer the need we have for more
Friendship Families for incoming fall students.
Our journey began last summer when we heard
Pastor Steve Gibson explain how Calvary’s
Neighbors International program allowed families to use gifts of hospitality and love to serve
and mentor international college students.
Since both Mary and I work in jobs requiring
international interaction, we were intrigued
and eager to learn more. God had clearly laid
this potential opportunity on our hearts! We felt
it was part of God’s plan for our family to show
love and support to international students.
Although we wanted to attend the annual
international college student friendship dinner
at the Grand Rapids Public Museum in October, Mike initially was unable to attend due to
business travel. God’s hand was clearly at work
from the onset, because his schedule changed
at the last minute and we were both able to go!
shopping, movies, Thanksgiving dinner, birthday celebrations and visits to the lakeshore.
We also attended music recitals, dance recitals,
and baseball games. While we have provided
late night support when they had challenging
times, we also received their love and support
(and a home cooked meal!) after Mary had hand
surgery in July.
God has truly expanded our family and taught
us many things. We’ve had the joy of learning
the different talents and cultural perspectives
each girl has to offer. It’s been nothing short of
amazing as our friendship continues to grow. If
you’re thinking about participating in Neighbors
International, DO IT! God’s many blessings await!
We enjoyed the evening, excitement, and especially meeting students from around the world.
We made connections with three students from
Mexico, South Korea and Israel. Their friendliness, enthusiasm, sense of adventure and
passion captured our hearts!
At first, we felt it important to meet with
each of our three students individually, so we
invited them to our home to share a meal and
welcome them to our family. From there, we
began connecting regularly with encouragement and various seasonal, holiday, and family
activities. Our first shared experience with all
three girls was Halloween pumpkin carving.
Group activities soon expanded to bonfires,
We are expecting a flood of new students this September and are
in GREAT need of new Friendship Families. Our volunteer training
class is September 27.
If you have extra love to share and would like to become a Friendship Family or just wish to find out more information, contact Sonja
([email protected]) at 616-340-2568.
August 2015 | calvarygr.org | 7