I graduated this summer with a Bachelor degree from UT Austin, the place where I have grown and have come to know our Father. Though it’s been a hard time for me to accept that an ending is happening, I know God has called me to Columbus to serve and grow. At the last bible study before I left Austin, we studied Mark 5, where Jesus told the man He saved: “Go back to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you”. (Mark 5:19) I knew God was speaking to me. And yes Lord, I am ready to leave my comfort zone, to do great things for you, with full trust and hope in you.
The first unforgotten experience when I first landed in Columbus, was how I was welcomed and loved by my host family, Tish and Mike.
I had a great time with my host family Tish and Mike at the Irish Festival on my first weekend in Columbus 🙂
I don’t have the experience of being hosted by a local family before, and I quickly realize that what IFI is doing is so powerful and impactful. When I was doing New-Student-Outreaching on campus, a lot of students that I have talked to were hosted by IFI volunteers. At first, I was worried that I couldn’t bond with students quickly because I am not a Buckeye, but trustful relationships were quickly built because they have been helped and welcomed by IFI.
Met two Indian students who were hosted by Phil’s family and showed their gratitude to IFI 🙂
Some students started to ask me why I came all the way along from Texas to Ohio to work with IFI. I got a chance to fully share my stories with a student, Ray, who has been involved in IFI’s bible study group for three years but has not become a follower yet. I was grateful that he was encouraged by my testimonies and started to open up himself and share his situations and thoughts on Christianity. I heard that God is asking me to help him find a suitable person who could disciple him, and to continue building the friendship with him patiently and graciously. After several similar conversations with different students, I realize that even though I think it is a disadvantage that I am not an OSU graduate, God is giving me so many opportunities to share my testimonies, and using my stories to bless and encourage students here. When I am passionate about sharing why I came here and how I have been enjoying what I am doing, I start to understand why Rich has said: “God is moving through people who are moving.” From feeling not ready to do NSO at OSU to getting energetic in talking with new students, from being afraid of driving to taking new students to church/shopping, from feeling lonely when I first moved in the empty apartment by myself to feeling I have a home, from feeling inadequate to work professionally to being grateful to work for God with all my heart and best, I was challenged and asked to grow in so many different ways in the first transitional month in Columbus. I am amazed by God’s work and all the faithful people that God placed in my life.
Inevitably, in the season of planting seeds as well as adjusting myself to a new city, I can easily be attacked by the feelings of loneliness, doubts, and worries. So, I want to finish this post with a prayer for hope.
“Lord, our righteous and loving God, may you teach me to trust and receive; may you continually guide me through this transitional journey to help me discern my life calling. I am here, ready to work with you.”