Before we returned back to America, we weren’t totally sure what ministry was going to look like here. With the differences, practical and vocation wise, we weren’t sure what God had planned for us at NC State, in ministry to Chinese students. Well, he’s clearly shown us some of what He is doing and what we are to join in with Him. This is what we want to share, some of the differences and some of the similarities, first the differences. We don’t live on the university campus and we don’t have a free apartment. 😦 We don’t have easy access to Chinese students 24/7 if we choose, like on the campus in Beijing. We don’t have the opportunity to have meals on campus each day with students. Our apartment is not as convenient to students, that they can walk to us anytime. So there are challenges, but there are still many opportunities to meet up with students, it just takes more creativity and more intention. It takes longer to build relationships since we are not with them in the classroom. Now for the similarities, just like in China, they want to practice their English, they want to learn our culture, and they want to have Americans as friends and be invited into an American home. They also want to travel and see some of the tourist attractions here before returning home. Some of them, just as in China, also want to know about Jesus and Christianity. In China, we were exposed to the culture, so we know to minister to them better here. We can talk about their food, their great modes of public transportation, their holidays, their language. We can relate to their being homesick and the culture shock they feel, and how important family is to them. We can share that we taught English in Beijing, which seems to automatically give us favor with some. What a perfect plan God had for us to first go to China, it’s all piecing together. So now, we are still using most of our 40-hour week in some mode of finding more of God’s partners for us, aka raising support. We are joining with other missionaries to internationals on the campus in helping Chinese with their English. We’re also committed each Friday night in multiple formats involving Chinese students. Seeking, with spiritual discernment, that God will direct us to the relationships that will eventually be eternal. We are so thankful to be in a place where our partners/friends can visit and be a part of this ministry to the Chinese students. Maybe you’d like to come and see what ministry to Chinese students looks like at NC State.
The Niedergall NEWS 