Beatrice* was born and raised in South Asia, and from a young age, she carried a question: Which God is for me?
Determined to find answers, she asked friends and family and even created a plan to follow a different god each month. After years of searching without any results, she gave up and began calling herself an atheist.
“Faith had always felt like a strict set of rules,” Beatrice confessed. “It never felt like something real or from the heart.”
Unexpectedly, she then felt a strong pull to travel and pursue education in the United States. Just when her dreams felt like they were slipping away, an IFI host family unexpectedly decided to welcome her into their home.
“Why would you host a total stranger?” she had asked her hosts.
Their answer was simple: they trusted in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
At first, Beatrice was hesitant. Her hosts did not pressure her, but gently invited her to things. Although she resisted attending church, she did attend a Christian wedding where she heard worship music for the first time and found herself moved to tears.
Curious, she began observing her host family’s lifestyle and habits, such as their daily prayers, their words, and their love. She soon realized something was different about them. When Beatrice finally asked them what it was, they humbly said:
“I don’t think it comes from us; it all comes from God.”
That sparked something in her. She started reading the Bible, attending church, and eventually said yes to following Jesus. Though the decision came with fear, she felt an overwhelming peace.
Today, Beatrice continues to grow in faith through community and Bible discussions, with a deep desire to share God’s love with others, and a growing sense that her story is only just beginning.
*Student name and photo changed to protect privacy