A Love Like No Other
In 2022, Jade* moved from Asia to the States for her master’s degree. She’d always been curious to travel and see the world, so when she got the opportunity to study in the US, she was thrilled. But there was sorrow in the joy, as it meant leaving her family and everything she ever knew […]
The Magic of Hospitality and Friendship
This article is by one of our IFI students, Amita* from South Asia. Read how an IFI volunteer, Ms. Jenny, made all the difference to Amita’s journey to the US. My time at Ms. Jenny’s was nothing but magical. Her warmth and kindness enveloped me when she greeted me at the airport. Her home gave […]
Caring Through Cars
About 30 international students gathered at the Car Care Workshop hosted by Hope Church and IFI Cincy. This wasn’t your typical IFI life group or sharing a meal… but teaching and helping students to change a tire and all things car-related. Mike Millard, IFI donor and volunteer, set a specific goal when he retired: to be […]
Roots of Faith: The Birth & Growth of IFI Grand Rapids
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” border_style=”solid” flex_column_spacing=”0px” type=”legacy”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” center_content=”no” last=”true” min_height=”” hover_type=”none” link=”” first=”true”][fusion_text] Seven years ago, Rich Mendola, IFI’s Global Ambassador, presented […]
God of Many Chances
Mark’s* first time in the United States was in 2014 when he received an opportunity to do a one-year transfer program. He was the first in his family and small village in Asia to attend university. Not only that, but he was the first to encounter the love of God, to attend church, and to […]
Where to Begin: The Story of Two Strategic Location Start-Ups
Since IFI’s mission is to provide hospitality and friendship to international students out of reverence for Jesus, it would make sense to base ourselves in the areas with the most international students, don’t you think? For this reason, IFI has focused on 10 strategic locations– influential areas in the country where international students thrive and […]
Road to Freedom
In 2019, Montserrat moved to the U.S. from Mexico in hopes of finding a better life. However, her physical disability, disconnect with American culture, and the struggle to make ends meet made her feel like a burden. The land of the free didn’t feel so free, after all. Things began to change when a new […]
One Year Later: A Student’s Journey to Finding Purpose
It was January of 2022 when Varun* left his home in South Asia to pursue his Master’s in the US. He was oblivious to the culture shock he would experience. The overall American lifestyle confused him. “It was not at all easy,” Varun* said. Above all else, he didn’t have a good community of friends […]
Treated as Their Own: A Family’s Embodiment of God’s Love
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Cultural Humility (pt. 2)
Cultural Humility In Personal Interactions & Spiritual Conversations Last post, we learned about cultural humility – what it is and how to develop it through the cultural humility wheel. This month, we want to give you some practical tips on how to make use of cultural humility in your personal interactions and in spiritual conversations. […]