Dear Friends, I was a stranger and you invited me in. Matthew 25.

35

Summer 2012

This past year, more than 300 strangers MSU International students, Visiting Scholars and their family members came through the front door of Friendship House. We invited them in. They came to us looking for help learn to speak English and insights into American culture. Some also came to quietly find out about the Bible, often prohibited in their country of origin. Still others simply wanted friendship somewhere to feel safe, wanted, noticed and appreciated amid the din of a new language, a strange culture and profound homesickness that comes from being separated from their families, most for the first time. Larisa was one of them. My name is Larisa and Im from Russia. I was very nervous about coming to the United States. When I arrived at MSU, I was so selfconscious about my English that I did not want to leave my apartment. I reluctantly decided to go to an English class at a local public library. The first class was very hard but I was proud of myself to take this first step. Then the instructor came up to me after class and told me not to come back because my English was so poor. I was devastated! I felt hopeless, depressed and very homesick. After months of feeling like this, I found Friendship House. Teacher after teacher after teacher greeted me warmly, helped me feel more relaxed, encouraged me day after day, and built my confidence. Today I speak English well enough that Friendship House has asked me to speak before American audiences on three different occasions. I am thrilled with my English now and feel like I can accomplish anything while I am in the U.S. Think about it. They come to a new country, unable to go home for a visit, and leave their language, culture, family and friends behind. All their everyday habits are turned upside down in a new and often confusing culture. They struggle to be understood. For at least a year, their survival depends on the ability to communicate and on the willingness of people they meet to help. Friendship House is a home away from home. Friendship House is ready and willing to care for these strangers. We teach them English, show them friendship, listen to their cares, answer their questions and help them adjust to life in a foreign country.

We share Gods word with those willing to hear, giving them a free Bible translated so as to show English and their native language side by side. We show them around, give them opportunities and try to show them the spirit of kindness we would want shown to our sons, daughters and grandchildren were they to be living overseas. Every day at Friendship House, we strive to show Christs love through our words, actions, constancy and unconditional friendship. Through our volunteers, Internationals learn about how Christ shapes our nation, gives hope for the future and is available to all. How do we know that Friendship House matters? Read what Yu Zhen recently told us: Im in my Beijing home, recalling my time in America. The most important thing I learned during my year was how I should be like Jesus. I had heard a little about Christianity but I did not know how to live my life like Jesus. I did not know how to forgive others with my heart and soul. Through Friendship House I saw how to forgive people, how to put Jesus into practice and how to solve the difficulties my family faced by living for a year in a foreign country. Through the volunteers at Friendship House, I learned that being like Jesus means love and caring for people who need help in normal life without asking anything in return. I was able to actually see how the volunteers at Friendship House treated other people each day and that showed me more than anything how to live like Jesus. Every day as I live my life in Beijing, there are images in my mind of how the teachers and volunteers at Friendship House would handle things. I thank God I can follow their example. Will you also be a friend to Internationals? More than 80 volunteer teachers, tutors and support people, along with area Lutheran and congregations, serve every week as our welcoming committee to International students. Are you willing to join our welcoming committee and help show Christs face to Internationals? If you can volunteer, our needs are many. Even if you cant volunteer your time at Friendship House, we need your prayers to help invite even more International strangers into what will be their second home. $173 a day. We also need your financial support. For each International we teach and befriend, it costs $173 for utilities, educational materials, a part-time director, house repairs and field trip costs. Any financial help you can share will help us teach English, share the Gospel and show new Internationals that Christian friends help in response to Gods love for us. Help us be their home away from home. Please use the enclosed card and envelope to indicate your support. . Thank you for your support in whatever form it might take. May God richly bless your care for the strangers among us.

____ Yes! According to Ephesians 2:19, I will pray for the International students and the volunteers who teach and care for them. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. ____ Yes! I will help International strangers to Friendship House by making a summer financial contribution to help cover the $173 per International student cost ____ $ 50 _____ $100 ____ $175 ____ $ 250 ____ other (please check the appropriate amount for you and use enclosed envelope) ____ Yes! I can volunteer at Friendship House as an English Conversation Partner
Friendship House MSU/International Student Ministry-Lansing Area is designated as a charitable non-profit 501c3 by the Internal Revenue Service. We are also a licensed for charitable solicitation by the Attorney General of Michigan.