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JOSH DRIVER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
My friends, we are entering into such an exciting season! For 30 years we have been sharing the love of Jesus through hospitality with Chinese students and now, in the last two years, with all international students in the Twin Cities. Our mission is not about building an organization, offering the most exciting activities, how technologically savvy we are or how I lead; it’s about loving students. Many transformations are already happening, including providing beds to an Indian family who was sleeping on the carpet, being a friend and sharing Jesus with a conversation partner, preventing homelessness, and encouraging steps to a healthy mind and heart. As we move forward into the next season of serving and loving students, I invite you to consider these questions with me.
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Would you consider how God is calling you to participate in the days ahead? The part you play provides opportunities for our mission to grow and flourish. Let’s come together today, ask God not to delay, and go forth to see what we might accomplish for His Kingdom! We are so grateful for you and your partnership with this mission. Thank you! 
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JONATHAN NESVIG | LEAD PROGRAM COORDINATOR
This summer was full and meaningful as we sought to bring international students and the local church community together. We had many events which included a hike to Lebanon Hills, a Saints' game, two day-trips to the North Shore (yes, 7 am–10 pm!), river rafting (with some water guns in the mix!), paddling down the St. Croix River, summiting a mountain in Colorado, skydiving (so glad I didn’t lead that trip!), cricket, badminton, log rolling, and, of course, our annual Welcome Picnic! Additionally, we ran three ongoing programs—Friendship Match, Hiking Club, and Food with Friends—to provide better opportunities for international students and volunteers to build consistent community, and create a space for meaningful conversations. Hiking Club was born out of two realizations. First, when we plan a hike, lots of students always come! Second, it can be hard for volunteers and students to have meaningful conversations on just one hike. Therefore, we decided to pair up the same volunteers with the same students to go on three hikes throughout the season. I was so glad to lead this program’s initial launch this summer. One student in my group, Xiao, had already been here for six months but had an especially hard time making friends because her roommates mostly drank and partied together. By the end of the summer, she told me how thankful she was to have finally made some friends! Not only had she made friends, but now she is attending Bible studies and learning more about following Jesus. Praise God! We eagerly anticipate the impact these semester-long programs can have in creating lasting and truly meaningful relationships with the students in this coming school year! |
KIM SOLIE VOLUNTEER DIRECTOR A Warm Welcome + a Few Meals + a Bed = a New Friendship! During the past 6 weeks, host families have shared their homes with students from Bangladesh, China, Colombia, India, Saudi Arabia, and Spain. Sharing our homes with international students makes a powerful impact in their lives and ours as budding new friendships are formed! Here are some highlights from a couple of the host families. "Our student was such a great fit for our chaotic family life. We really enjoyed hosting her! She went to our kids' school open house at North Heights and saw what a private school looks like in the US. We talked about our family being followers of Jesus. She expressed that she had a good friend who was also a follower of Jesus in China, so she had heard a number of stories from the Bible. We will definitely be staying in touch with her!" “We enjoyed having Jeffery stay with us for 6 nights. He had many first-time experiences! We attended a Twins baseball game, the State Fair, including the Grandstand evening concert, and our Sunday morning worship service. We also had a Vietnamese friend come over to help us prepare 125 egg rolls, which we all enjoyed!" |
HEATHER HOLBROOK BOARD PRESIDENT | VOLUNTEER My family has been hosting students with the Hospitality Center since the fall of 2006. We have been so blessed to host dozens of young women from all over China. We learned that students from Beijing tend to eat meat and potatoes as we do, and the girls from the south are often into seafood. When the Hospitality Center was considering expanding to all nations, I happened to be on the board of directors. The decision was nerve-wracking, but what finally convinced me to vote for all nations was an informal survey that one of the Hospitality Center’s Chinese employees conducted with her Chinese friends. She asked them, “If you had a choice to attend an event that was for all nations or only Chinese, which would you attend, and why?” All of them said that they would prefer an event for all nations because they came to the United States from China to experience other cultures. They also said that they don’t like to feel singled out, and would feel more comfortable as part of a group. Hearing that the very students we were focused on reaching would rather be part of an all-nations ministry made the decision easy for me. Even so, I was still nervous about actually hosting other nationalities. Now, after hosting four students from India, plus a student and her mother from Saudi Arabia, I am able to confidently say that every student from every nation is a gift from God whom we can pour His love into. |
KYLE MORRIS
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
In July, the Hospitality Center was contacted about a former student, Shuai, who was facing eviction from her apartment. When I heard about the situation, I was immediately moved by God to help in whatever way possible. My wife and I determined that we would host her if needed. Once our staff had prayed and received consultation, we welcomed Shuai into our home!
After living with us for three weeks Shuai was able to move into another place where she's settling in well. But most importantly, in all of this is God's work. My wife and I have spoken about Jesus and Christianity and Shuai continues to show interest in God. She is coming to our church and small group. She is asking difficult questions and weighing whether or not she will believe in Jesus. Join us in praying that she will turn in faith to God and find honor where she had felt shame.
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
In July, the Hospitality Center was contacted about a former student, Shuai, who was facing eviction from her apartment. When I heard about the situation, I was immediately moved by God to help in whatever way possible. My wife and I determined that we would host her if needed. Once our staff had prayed and received consultation, we welcomed Shuai into our home!
After living with us for three weeks Shuai was able to move into another place where she's settling in well. But most importantly, in all of this is God's work. My wife and I have spoken about Jesus and Christianity and Shuai continues to show interest in God. She is coming to our church and small group. She is asking difficult questions and weighing whether or not she will believe in Jesus. Join us in praying that she will turn in faith to God and find honor where she had felt shame.
WELCOME PICNIC
On Saturday, August 27th, we welcomed around 300 international students at the McNamara Alumni Center lawn on the University of Minnesota campus. This year, the Hospitality Center facilitated the picnic in conjunction with eight of our international ministry partners. We had mediterranean food, games, and prizes, but our focus was on building connections with students with the hope of starting lasting friendships. We saw an incredible turnout of students from 36 different countries!
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THE WAREHOUSEThis year, over 20 donors brought in furniture and household items to our new Minneapolis warehouse. On a beautiful Saturday in August, the trailers were loaded and volunteers delivered furniture to over 25 students. More students continue to come each week! 50 + students were served in all!
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