Coby* almost didn’t come to the United States.
When a college recruiter from America showed up in South Asia during his undergrad, Coby assumed it was a scam. But his mom believed before he did; she bought all his winter gear before he was even accepted. That kind of faith runs in the family.
Coby arrived in Chicago in August 2025 to pursue his master’s degree. The pressure was real: student loans, a job left behind, and a mom whose dreams were riding alongside his own.
He found IFI on his college’s landing page, and that one step changed everything. Nick Miller, IFI Chicago staff, connected him with a host family who welcomed him like he was already known, taking him shopping, getting him a fridge, and including him in their community.
“Me, a stranger!” Coby marveled. “What Nick is doing is a really good thing. He’s helping a huge number of people!”
Faith wasn’t new to Coby. He was raised Catholic, and his mother’s prayers and quiet endurance through real hardship had planted something deep in him years before. However, it was only by joining IFI that he found a church community– a warm, generous, and genuine adoption, like God tying threads together.
“I started going to church with Nick,” Coby said. “They are God-sent people, and I will never take it for granted. I think God orchestrated all of the connections, and He’s always taking care of me. If I hadn’t met Nick and other IFI volunteers, things would’ve been way different.”
Please be praying for Coby as he figures out what’s next post-graduation!
*Student names and photo changed to protect privacy