In her final days in the U.S., international student Janet*, originally from a closed country, joined IFI staff members in the fall of 2025 to watch a showing of The Chosen: The Last Supper. But her questions about faith had actually begun long before that night.
For months, she had been attending a small-group Bible discussion, quietly absorbing what she read and asking thoughtful questions throughout. As she watched the movie, she found herself connecting scenes on the screen with passages she had studied, just like building a puzzle; she suddenly realized how the pieces were fitting together.
After the movie, IFI staff gave her room to process what she had seen. She wanted to understand Jesus deeper– His compassion, His sacrifice, and what faith in Him could mean for her. Their conversation naturally turned to her own spiritual journey.
Janet shared that during her time in the U.S., reading the Bible had begun giving her unexpected peace. She had started talking to God when she woke up and again before going to sleep. Some of her long-standing anxieties were beginning to fade. She felt calmer, less angry, and more willing to practice forgiveness, something that had once felt impossible.
As they talked, one staff member gently asked if she felt ready to receive Jesus into her life. Janet agreed, but asked if she could pray in her native language. They gave her time alone to sit, read, and pray in her own words. After a few minutes, the staff also joined her in prayer.
Then, less than 48 hours before boarding her flight back to her home country, Janet made a bold decision: she would declare her faith in Jesus through baptism. Standing in the water, she professed her faith in Jesus with a mixture of joy, relief, and quiet strength.
Her step of faith is both beautiful and hard, as she knows returning home transformed will come with its challenges. Yet she is determined to continue growing in her newfound faith in Christ. Thankfully, one of our international IFI staff members has already begun meeting with her weekly online to encourage her and help her stay grounded in Scripture.
Janet’s story is a powerful reminder of what many international students experience during their time in the States– a season of searching, learning, and encountering God in ways they never expected. And even when their journey leads them back across the world, God continues to walk with them.
Please keep Janet in your prayers as she steps into this next chapter with hope and courage!
*Student name and photo changed to protect privacy