Last Sunday, I walked into the gym here at First Free after church. What a beautiful sight! It was the annual Great Giveaway organized by Randell Harms. There were about 100 international students and a few Americans, sitting around tables eating together. Along the outer walls of the gym were stacks of household goods for these students to take to their apartments for free. A couple hours later, some First Free volunteers would load up their trucks with mattresses, kitchen utensils, and all sorts of other things, to drive students back to their apartments near campus.

How would you feel as a student walking into a church for an event like this? I’m sure you’d feel nervous at first! But after all the warm welcomes, the delicious homemade lunch, and free gifts to take home, I bet they felt amazed that Christians would go to so much trouble to help them. Friends, that is shining the light of Jesus to the nations, right here in Wichita.

It is our joy to partner with ISI in this ministry serving international students. Did you know that many students come to Wichita looking for an American friend? Many of them say they’d love to visit an American church. What an opportunity! If you’re interested in becoming a Friendship Partner, ISI hosts a training here at First Free. It takes place on four Thursday evenings: September 8, 15, 22, and 29, from 7-9 pm. Then ISI will match you up with a friend. If you’d like more information about that, please contact me and I’d be happy to get you connected.

Globalization is opening all kinds of unique opportunities, even here in Wichita, Kansas. I’m thankful that First Free steps up to serve the nations that are now our neighbors and friends.