Welcoming New Students
At 200+ university campuses across the country, staff and volunteers with Bridges International are welcoming new international students to the United States. Of the 1 million who come to our country, over half come from countries where Christianity has very little presence, and where conversion is often illegal.
As the 2016-2017 school year begins for these students, our first goal in Bridges is to help create a “home away from home” for them. We want to create a community that feels like a family to point them to God’s love. Bridges movements first make contact with students through events like a Welcome Party (above) or a university-sponsored Info Fair (below).
A Bridges staff and student leader are pictured here at an Info Fair table, where they tell new internationals about the purpose and activities of our ministry. Seen on the screen is a video that I (Zack) produced, which promotes a Bridges city tour. It’s here that students sign up for our social events as well as our spiritual gatherings like Bible Study and prayer groups.
God is Moving: Two Snapshots
At the University of Houston, Bridges staff discovered 80 new students that indicated some level of spiritual interest! There were also 10 Christian students who said they want to be involved in a fellowship. For the 7 student leaders, pray God will work through them as they initiate friendships and spiritual conversations with the 80 interested students.
At the University of Kansas (above), students gathered for a “Social Media Party” where they swapped info and connected with each other online. The KU Bridges team has been reaching out to Christian students (both International and American) to join them as “Ambassadors”…to grow in their walk with the Lord and share their faith with others. They have met 30 Christians, several of whom have great hearts and are ready to be a part of the movement. Pray that these folks become faithful co-laborers with Bridges.
Paxton Josiah
There have been so many answers to prayer surrounding our new little man! I (Naomi) was able to have a drug-free VBAC. We went into the hospital at 11:30pm and I prayed for a miracle, that Paxton would be born before 7am. He arrived just in time at 6:57am!
Our family passed around a horrible sore throat and fever virus for the first 6 weeks of Paxton’s life. We prayed that he would not get it, and praise God, he stayed healthy!
I fervently prayed that Paxton would be an easy baby, and that he would start to sleep for 6 hours a night at 6 weeks old. Praise God, he is a super easy, happy baby and is currently sleeping between 6-8 hours every night.
Upcoming
Bridges in Denver is having a Lamb Roast this week for Middle Eastern students, who will learn about Jesus as the Lamb of God. Bridges groups in Orlando, San Jose, Austin and many other cities will be going to their local Fall Retreats in early October. Students will be challenged to prioritize Jesus amidst all the other pressures of college life.
Praise Reports
•Bridges in Charlottehad a Bollywood dance party to connect with many new South Asian students at UNCC.
•Four East Asian nationals are now on the Boston team.
Prayer Requests
•Divine connections as we invite new people to join our ministry partnership team.
•Endurance for Bridges field staff in a busy time of year.
•Our adjustment to handling life with 4 kids.