Sara moved from Indonesia to Oregon in the fall of 2022, blessed to receive a government scholarship to pursue her bachelor’s. She was excited to live her American dreams, and did once she landed in the San Francisco and later Portland airports.
However, she quickly woke up from her dream once she arrived in her small university town. It was nothing like the Hollywood movies she had watched growing up. Salem was a shock to Sara, as it felt isolated from everything else and made her stand out like a sore thumb.
Making friends and adjusting to her new home felt impossible. But to Sara’s delight, she got in touch with IFI’s Salem leader, Dawnita Libby, at an IFI welcome party, and before you knew it, the two of them were in a mentorship relationship and going to church together.
“Dawnita is caring and wants us to have the best things,” Sara shared. “I also enjoyed hanging out at her house for dinner or movies.”
Beyond meeting Sara’s needs as an international student, Dawnita helped Sara grow in her already-existing relationship with Jesus.
“I knew I had to share this gift of love with others,” Sara said. “Dawnita guided me in how to do that well and I really appreciate her.”
As Sara looks ahead to life post-graduation, she reflects on her unique testimony and prays that she’ll understand more of who God created her to be:
“It’s His story and I’m just following along,” Sara said. “He is orchestrating it and that gives me peace and joy.”
*Student photo changed to protect privacy