Today I’m going to share about a ministry which some of our members take part in.
‘Friends International’ (http://friendsinternational.uk/colchester) is a Christian Charity which targets International Students in the UK. At the moment, it operates in almost 40 university towns and cities across the country; each team consists of a group of lovely local Christians caring and supporting International students in various ways.
Take Colchester for example, while the University of Essex is the main base where most of the activities are held, we also welcome and reach out to International students from other organisations such as Colchester Institute and CESC (Colchester English Study Centre). Various events are held throughout the week and year. ‘iCafe’ is a main activity which takes place every Thursday evening; we gather around tables in the MFCC (Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Centre) on the university campus, chat and make friends over a cup of tea and biscuits. Each week there’s a different topic to tell International students about the British culture.
Other activities include ‘iWomen’ (a weekly session for female students and wives/partners of students), ‘iStudy’ (a weekly Bible study/discussion session), ‘iChat’ (similar to iCafe but holds its meeting at CESC), ‘iGames’ (a monthly food & games evening with an integrated budding ‘iBand’..!), ‘iHomes’ (the hospitality scheme), etc.
One thing I love about Friends International is that the volunteers come from over 10 different churches in Colchester! Despite our church background, we all have the same heart to serve and love these International students with the love our Father God has loved us with. Every now and then, it is also our great joy to see students giving their lives to Jesus and make the decision to invite Christ into their lives.
I think the knowledge of and a relationship with the God who created them are the best things International students can gain while they’re in the UK- far more precious than their degrees 😉
[photo of Fresher’s Fair]
An evening at iCafe
Sailing treat by Michael (one of our lovely main volunteers)
[photo of the unofficial budding iBand]