Campus Moms to the Rescue!

Not all superheroes wear capes, so the saying goes.

And it definitely rings true! 

Meet Jenny and Laura from the Tempe area– two marvelous IFI volunteers who have championed the cause for international students at Arizona State University (ASU). Both Jenny and Laura have been so involved that they’ve been honored with the title “ASU Campus Moms”.

For both of them, opening their homes to international students has become more than just an opportunity to serve—it’s also a way of living out their faith and passion for other cultures.

Laura, a mother of four boys, had always been fascinated by travel and diversity. Hosting two exchange students in 2017 and again in 2022 sparked a desire to continue welcoming international students into her home, not just as a temporary service but as a reflection of her faith and family values. So joining IFI was natural– when she saw an IFI postcard at her church in August 2023, she quickly signed up and got involved. 

Her first experience with IFI was a welcome event for new international students, leaving her hooked.

“I came back so elated,” Laura recalled. “I was filled with energy and excitement about the connections I made!” 

Soon after, she hosted a game night that brought students and volunteers together for an evening of glow-in-the-dark cornhole, spikeball, and charades. 

“We laughed a lot,” she said. “These events are more than just entertainment; they are opportunities to create a sense of belonging for students far from home. I want them to know that they have a place here.”

In addition, Christmas that year held a special place in her heart.

“Anyone who didn’t have a place to go came over,” Laura remembered. “The day was filled with cozy pajamas, charcuterie boards, and games like Telestrations. We enjoyed each other’s company all day long!” Laura said. 

It was a simple but impactful reminder that even a small gesture like offering a holiday meal can make a huge difference to a student spending Christmas far away from home. 

Jenny, on the other hand, had been serving in youth and young adult organizations for years. Her heart for serving made her a great fit for IFI. In August 2023, she found herself hosting a South Asian student who had just arrived in the States and faced a series of challenges—lost luggage, a non-functioning credit card, and a dorm room that wasn’t ready.

“Mom mode just kicked in,” Jenny said. Treating her like one of her own daughters, she helped her navigate these early struggles, making sure she felt supported and at home.

The bond between the two grew quickly. From helping her shop for essentials to attending church together for the first time, Jenny’s home became a sanctuary of comfort and care. 

“I know how lonely it can be to be far from home,” she reflected, recalling her own experience as a college student at the University of Hawaii, where she was one of the few white students on campus. “That experience of being a minority in a different culture grew my empathy for international students.”

Both campus moms have found their involvement with IFI not only enriches the students’ lives but deeply blesses their own. 

For Laura, one particularly meaningful moment came after a day of mini-golf with a group of students. Over dinner, she found herself in a deep discussion with one of the students about Jesus. 

“I couldn’t believe it—she was asking so many questions and was so open to receiving information!” Laura said. 

It was a spontaneous conversation that reminded her of the power of God and how He can use everyday moments to reveal Himself.

Similarly, Jenny also had the opportunity to observe and guide a student’s spiritual journey. After attending church, he opened up about the sense of joy he felt. 

 

“It was amazing to be the first person he told!” Jenny said. “I asked him if I could pray that God would reveal Himself. The student agreed to pray with me, and over the course of the next few months, God did reveal Himself, and the student surrendered his life to Jesus!”

She often shares her belief in Jesus through these relational moments, trusting that God is at work in the hearts of the students she meets.

Both campus moms have witnessed the profound impact of simply being present in international students’ lives. For Laura, it’s moments like hosting Galentines, complete with chocolate fondue, mocktails, and bouquets, that create lasting memories. For Jenny, it’s the quiet conversations over tea or dinner, where trust is built, and spiritual conversations can be had.

Each of these volunteers brings their unique gifts to their work with IFI, as described in the Bible as the body of Christ: 

There is one body, but it has many parts. But all its many parts make up one body. (1 Corinthians 12)

Both moms agree that volunteering with IFI brings them immense joy, plus an opportunity to live out the command to love God and love people.

Their advice for new volunteers? 

 

“Be yourself,” said Laura. “Ask them about their culture and step out of your comfort zone.” 

Jenny adds, “Be willing to let God work through you. You never know how He might use you in a student’s life.”

Whether it’s through holiday dinners, game nights, or deep spiritual conversations, these campus moms are showing international students that they have a place where they are loved and valued. Their homes have become places where cultures meet, faith is shared, and friendships blossom, all within their own backyards.

UPDATE: Campus mom, Jenny, has actually started onboarding with IFI to become a part of the Tempe staff! Let us encourage and uplift her in prayer as she transitions to this new-ish role and gets partners to support her in this role!