Provision comes in many ways. For some it is in starting a new job, for others it could be a friend calling at just the right time. The holidays brought opportunities for God's individual attention and provision for my personal needs. In the midst of financial crisis, interpersonal conflict, unsettling news about our health or the health of someone we love it is easy to lose sight of the greatest provision of all. God's provision to heal the brokenness in our lives called sin and to reunite us in our relationship with Him through Christ's death on the cross.
If you live in America this may feel like old news. But what about the millions of people in the world who have never heard. During the week between Christmas and New Years I had an opportunity to be part of a conference called Vision. Located outside Washington D.C., it was created to bring in the nations who are currently living and studying on American soil. This year 1300 international students from 60 countries traveled from across the US to learn about Jesus, the Bible, and to see our nations capital.
University of Kentucky, where I spend most of my time, has a large international student ministry. In the past we have had difficulty bringing students. This year 41 students from UK, Transylvania University and Campbellsville University hopped on a charter bus and joined us for the week. Twenty-two of these students were from countries in the middle-east where Christianity is non-existent and persecution of believers is high.
Students were divided up by religious and geographic boundaries to be in discussion groups. I had the privilege of walking through the week with our sisters from the middle-east. It was such an awesome time of learning from each other and introducing them to the concept of a loving God who came to rescue them from the sin and death they deserve if we will surrender our lives to him. The week was spent in large group and small group meetings, meals with everyone in our hotel, praise and worship, coffee house time and games, sight seeing in D.C., wrapping up with a talent show and new Years eve party.
God provided finances, transportation, and even a wonderful volunteer who spoke Arabic who could share with our friends about Jesus in their own language.
Since returning from the Vision conference in Washington, 2 of the E. Asian students have made decisions for follow Jesus. When asking them about it, they shared that it made a huge difference to see people from their culture who love and follow Jesus. They weren't just an outsider choosing Jesus. Jesus included them all along.
On the final night of the conference I was blown away by participating in a choir of people singing of how great God is. When most of them would ordinarily not be able to hear of Jesus much less worship him in their country. They knew the sacrifices that might be required of them but they came to learn and worship anyway.
During the bus ride home a Nigerian student from our group stood up on the front of the bus. He shared over the microphone a summary of how the conference talked about knowing God personally and being with him eternally, and explained and sang a Nigerian song about what would it profit a man to gain the whole world if he lost his soul."
Please pray for each of these precious students. Pray that they will come to walk closely with Jesus and to be bold with their family and friends. Pray for their safety from those who would desire they not know the love of Jesus and walk with him. Pray recognizing that one day you could be sharing the floor with them as we bow and worship before Christ. For God's provision is for eternity.
UK Student leaders and some of our international friends. The young man in the middle of the photo is now our brother in Christ!
The hotel and catering staff provided meals for 1300 people in the hotel every evening. There were people and tables everywhere. I was able to enjoy Mediteranian food of hummus, pita, rice and lamb or kabobs with my friends at dinner. It was delicious!
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