about:blank Greetings!

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "about:blank Greetings!"

Osborne Walters
5 years ago
Views:

There has been 104 decisions for Christ this 2013 season, and now that the students have begun to return home, we hear testimonies of them sharing their faith in Jesus Christ with

1 Greetings! This summer has been packed with so many exciting events and stories. Every day it seemed like we witnessed the transforming power of God through the changes in so many students! There has been 104 decisions for Christ this 2013 season, and now that the students have begun to return home, we hear testimonies of them sharing their faith in Jesus Christ with families and friends in their own countries. What an awesome experience this has been, and so we want to share with you just a small part of what transpired in reaching the nations for Christ through the international student ministry. A large group of students have just arrived at church and are being warmly welcomed by Faye McDonald. The 1 of 20

2 students clearly sense the love and acceptance expressed to them as soon as they enter the church building. It is so wonderful to know that when a van load of internationals enter this new environment that they are always welcomed with excitement and great anticipation! I believe this particular day we had a total of 18 students come to worship with us. This is on one of our regular Borsch Parties that we have every Tuesday. Tanya prepared a huge pot of borsch (a Russian soup) and students from many nations lined up to get some. For the Russian students it was a taste of home; for others, such as this Turkish student, it is an opportunity to experience another culture. 2 of 20

3 Every Tuesday after the students are finished eating, we make it a priority to share the Gospel with all the students. On this Tuesday, Dr. Steve McDonald is at the student center sharing the message of Jesus Christ, and Alexei is translating it into Russian. It is purposeless to feed the body and not feed the soul with the Word of life. The students were very receptive to the message, and many prayed to receive Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. 3 of 20

One day Tanya and Alexei noticed these girls carrying lots of shopping bags while waiting for the trolley. They stopped and offered to drive them home where 14 Ukrainians were staying.

4 These are girls from Ukraine. Interestingly enough, we did not meet them at the student center but on the streets of Pigeon Forge. During the summer months, it is a common site to see international students on the Parkway walking to and from work. One day Tanya and Alexei noticed these girls carrying lots of shopping bags while waiting for the trolley. They stopped and offered to drive them home where 14 Ukrainians were staying. The girls began to come to the student center where we developed a close friendship and had the privilege of leading them to the Lord. They have recently returned home. Please pray for their walk with the Lord to grow as they transition as disciples of Christ. This is a gathering of the international students at Tim and Sherri Dunahoo's home. This was another chance to allow the young people to experience being in an American home. Like anyone in a strange environment, 4 of 20

the students are a bit reticent upon arrival, but as soon as they know they are fully welcomed, they immediately relax and enjoy new relationships.

5 the students are a bit reticent upon arrival, but as soon as they know they are fully welcomed, they immediately relax and enjoy new relationships. The Dunahoo family helped the students cover their flashlights with red paper in preparation to see the synchronizing of the fire flies in the Smoky Mountain National Park. The students were amazed to witness the waves of light flashing throughout the woods. One student described it as seeing lights on a Christmas tree throughout the forest. They were really fascinated by this unique outing! 5 of 20

6 The computer center is a vital part of the ministry to internationals. Here you see students at the computers that are provided as well as a student accessing the free WI-fi that is also available. This allows the young people to stay in contact with family and friends back home. It is not unusual to hear multiple languages at one time in this area of the center, which is a vivid reminder that we have the opportunity of reaching the nations of the world. 6 of 20

7 7 of 20

It was the perfect American feast for an American celebration. Thank you Calvary for your generosity! These are girls from Russia and Ukraine. They became known as "Tanya's girls".

8 The students are loading up their plates with food donated by Calvary Baptist Church. It was great to have so much food to offer the students, and we didn't even have to grill the meat because everything was already prepared! It was the perfect American feast for an American celebration. Thank you Calvary for your generosity! These are girls from Russia and Ukraine. They became known as "Tanya's girls". Because our family was able to stay in Pigeon Forge this past summer, Tanya invested many hours with the students in counseling and relationship building; these 4 girls became very close to Tanya and our family. Here is Tanya cooking with "her girls". Good-byes were very difficult when it was time for them to return home in August. 8 of 20

9 At our July 4th celebration we had students from China, Hong Kong, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and Columbia. As you can see, our children were very involved in the ministry this past summer. We were all like one BIG family. All the internationals became like an extension of the Kotchan family. We adopted them, and they adopted us. :-) 9 of 20

10 This year is the first time we built close relationships with many of the Asian students. The Chinese culture is so different and very fascinating. We sure do love these girls from China! 10 of 20

11 Many of the Chinese students attended church services and showed interest in studying the Bible, and as a result, many of them were saved to the glory of God! 11 of 20

The countries represented are: China, Russia, Ukraine, Columbia, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan and Hong Kong.

12 With each passing year, we witness an increased receptivity to spiritual matters in the internationals. Here is a group of students after a Wednesday evening worship service. The countries represented are: China, Russia, Ukraine, Columbia, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan and Hong Kong. Leaders and students are praying together at the student center. It is amazing to see so many people from different countries in one small room. Even though many of the governments of these countries are in opposition to one another, here everyone is enjoying the atmosphere 12 of 20

13 of love and peace found in Christ. By the end of the summer, many of the students have become Christians. Dr. Dale is sharing a lesson about what they can expect next in their Christian walk. The students are very intent on hearing about their new life in Jesus Christ. 13 of 20

14 We are grateful for the vision that First Baptist Church Pigeon Forge has for reaching international students for Christ. Their willingness to provide the student center is vital to the salvation of hundreds of students that otherwise may never have the opportunity to hear the Good News. Together we have the joy of impacting the next generation with the Gospel message and changing the destiny of nations! 14 of 20

15 This is Marshall from China. When Alexei met Marshall for the first time, he was a communist and had never heard the name of Jesus. They conversed many times, and Alexei was able to share how he was once a communist but came into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. One day after church they returned to the student center where their conversation continued. Alexei asked Marshall if he would like to receive Jesus into his heart. He said, "Yes". Here we see the firmness of his decision by following through with believer's baptism. 15 of 20

This is Elaine Pearson, a English teacher, helping a student from Columbia with his English.

16 There was a group of ladies from PHOEBEs, widows ministry group that heard about our ministry and made plans to minister to the international students. This is Elaine Pearson, a English teacher, helping a student from Columbia with his English. The ladies from this ministry are widows who have chosen to share their love and talents with others, like these girls who are far away from home in China. 16 of 20

17 The ladies set up various stations to teach crafts, English and other activities to connect with the international students. The young people loved it! 17 of 20

18 This particular lady shared her testimony of how she came to Christ and that He is her Source of strength in difficult times. In demonstrating love first, the students hearts were very receptive to hear what the women had to say about spiritual matters. 18 of 20

Last week we took some of the students to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park before they returned home. By this time of the season, the numbers of students are decreasing.

19 Last week we took some of the students to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park before they returned home. By this time of the season, the numbers of students are decreasing. Most are finished with their jobs and now are traveling throughout the United States. Some of their favorite destinations are Washington D.C., Los Angeles, New York City and the Grand Canyon. Please pray for our ministry of discipleship that continues with the students after they return home. Many of these new Christians are entering places that are opposed to Christianity. It is very important that we stay connected so that we can encourage them to grow in their faith in Jesus. As you can see, the ministry has greatly increased since its inception. Please pray for us as a family. When God moves as powerfully as He has this past summer, we know that our enemy is on high alert. However, God has given us a great victory recently. As a family, we have a tremendous praise to share with you. Our religious immigration visa has been approved, and now we are entering into the last phase of permanent residency. We ask that you also join us in prayer in regards to the provisions needed to complete this process. We are confident that God's promises are always "yes" and "amen." Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all of these things will be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33) There is nothing like the satisfaction in knowing that God's kingdom is being expanded and that we have had the opportunity to be a part of it. Thank you for joining our team in this endeavor to reach the nations for Christ. Time is short; the work is costly, but the dividends are eternal. May God bless each of you! Alexei and Tanya and Nations4Christ Team P.S. If you are new to Nations 4 Christ, we want to extend an invitation to join with us through your prayers 19 of 20

20 and financial support. You may send a financial tax-deductible gift to: Calvary Baptist Church c/o Nations 4 Christ 163 N. Jefferson Circle Oak Ridge, TN Or if you live outside the United States please, use PayPal on our web page 20 of 20

This is Alexei, Jr. and he is being baptized by Pastor Steve McDonald. (It was decided to use junior to distinguish the younger Alexei from the older

This is Alexei, Jr. and he is being baptized by Pastor Steve McDonald. (It was decided to use junior to distinguish the younger Alexei from the older GREETINGS! The 2014 outreach season to international students was tremendous! A total of 128 students, representing 10 different countries, prayed to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. With each consecutive