They come to our doorstep. Each year thousands of college students from around the world come to our country to study. Most of them do not have the opportunity to go home during the holidays. Statistics show that over 90% of international students never have the privilege of being inside an American home while in the United States.

Each year, Arkansas BCMs and churches send a team of students to Asia during the Christmas holidays as cultural exchange speakers in university classes. They are able to share the true meaning of Christmas with many who have never heard why we celebrate.

In addition to going, Christians must be receivers and welcomers to those who are our guests in this country. Do you know international students who might like to participate in the tradition of caroling?  Do you know a student far from home who might enjoy an evening around the Christmas tree with your family?

Here are some thoughts from Neal Nelson for those who desire to reach out to international students at any time during the year.

“Have you ever had someone roast a tomato on the burner of your stove? What about turning your beige cooking spoons to a 70s mustard yellow?   Both of these recently happened to my family and it was the most enjoyable experience we have had together since Christmas.

We hosted eleven students from the country of Nepal.  The Nepalese students came over at 4:30 in the afternoon to begin cooking dinner. They left at ten that night. Honestly, if they had been nationals as opposed to internationals, having that many people in our home for that long would have been taxing. However, it seemed like the time flew by as my family and I learned about the students, their country, and Hindu beliefs.  They brought instruments and entertained us, played with our kids, and one of the female Nepalese was always holding the baby. We never sensed that they were ready to leave or not having a good time.  We were able to pray with them and discuss our relationship with Christ.  It was an amazing experience.

Here are a few helpful hints to make possible your opportunity to host the world in your home and make it enjoyable:

1. Begin with a “man (or woman) of peace.” I heard a missionary from Bangladesh talk about their field strategy to enter a village and find a person of influence who would welcome them.  He called this person the “man of peace.” (Mt. 10:11)  The missionary described how often the entire village would convert.  I find this to be a reality in my work with international students.  In the story above it was Sarajan. Sarajan became a follower of Christ last year through the influence of a few students who were very active in BCM ministry.  Since that time Sarajan loves to bring the new students who come from Nepal to anything we invite him to.  I simply explained to Sarajan that we would like to have all the Nepalese students over and he did the rest.  He even told me that they would do the cooking.  I have used this same approach with students from Africa and Taiwan.  I encourage you to visit with your nearest Baptist campus minister as you begin looking for this person.  A lot of times a campus minister, professor, or the international student director can help connect you with international students.  Most international students actually desire to be invited into an American home.

2. Educate yourself about their country. International students always become very excited when I actually know something about their country.  It may be because they are homesick or just because most Americans are ethnocentric.  Whatever the reason, asking them about something specific from their country is an instant way to make them feel comfortable and get them talking.  I had actually been to Nepal so I was able to share my love for their culture along with stories and pictures.  This will also help in choosing a menu and avoiding cultural taboos.

3. Schedule a large block of time. Depending on where they are from (see helpful hint #2) one of the biggest frustrations for international students is the way Americans are so time oriented.  For example in Nepal many business men did not want to sell me something until I had played a game of chess or two.   So when you are planning to do something with internationals or have them in your home, do not plan anything else.  This will allow you to relax and help them feel like you really care.

4. Cook, play a game, or sing.
Our experience has been that unlike traditional American students, most internationals love to cook, sing, and play games.  And they love to share their food with us. We are not a musical family but I always ask them to bring instruments and sing.  Imagine the cultural experience my family receives.  I have a game that I usually teach to internationals that always provides hours of laughter.

5. Ask them about their spiritual beliefs.
It has also been my experience that most internationals are much more open to talk about spiritual matters than are Americans. I’m not sure whether they are just being polite or if the “spiritual” is more important in their culture.  It is very important to ask them about what they believe and be genuinely interested in what they have to say.  Often I have had internationals ask me about my beliefs after I have listened to them.

6. Be flexible!
Just like a mission trip it is important to remain flexible since you never know what may happen.  For example, there was a little misunderstanding in the communication about the roasting of the tomato on our stove burner.  However, my wife just accepted it and then we spent a few bucks to replace the drip pan.  Now we laugh at it.

We hear a lot about going to the world but sometimes fail to realize the world has come to us.  Become a world missionary; invite some internationals over to your house.”

Neal Nelson is the campus minister at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia.  He and his wife Teresa have three children Emma, Elijah, and Ethan and they have new drip pans on their stove but are still using the mustard yellow spoons.

Diane Parker is a member of the Collegiate Ministry Team of the ABSC and enjoys displaying her thread Christmas tree from Honduras and a tiny Nativity set from Brazil during the holidays.