Assisting the host family with airport pickup/temporary housing is part of the ISEED training. Since I don’t live in a host family’s house, then I will be a host 😉 It was a very exciting experience for me. The Bible said, “It is better to give than receive”. I felt so blessed that I can put two more extra beds in my room and use them for hosting.
We picked up and hosted two Chinese girls and later on hosted a visiting scholar. Before they arrived, me and my two other roommates planned ahead and assigned the jobs of serving.
I will share about my pickup experience.
On the Aug 17th, I went to the airport to pick up Linlin. Her flight was delayed until 1 AM so I went back home from the airport and then go back to the airport. It was quite a challenge for me since I started to get up early in the morning around that time. However, I can do all things through the One who strengthens us! I also met another guy who came with Linlin and he didn’t request service. I offered to give him a ride to campus and help another guy (who also didn’t request service) find a ride from a volunteer I met at the airport.
Here is some pictures, enjoy!
Before the school started, we hosted a hotpot party for these new comers. They love to have food from their home country!
My roommate Tuyata, me, Linlin, Junyan, Menghan, friend, Roommate Chen
Two ministry houses prepared a welcome dinner for the new students on the date before school started. After dinner, we watched the movie “God’s Not Dead” together.
I am very glad that Menghan, the girl whom we hosted, is actively involved in an IFI bible study. She even cared for us and reminded us to wear more clothes when the weather got cold.
Through the hosting experience, I come to realize that serving is really a choice! It can be challenging for lots of people but God will surprise us with either lessons or wonderful experience with the students. I will continue to show hospitality after I go back to China! >< So exciting!!!!