The REALITY for International Students

Dear friends,

According to a report from an International Education NGO, in 2012 there are 764,321 international students (IS) studying in the US.

The top-5 countries are China (194,029), India (100,270), South Korea (72,295), Saudi Arabia (34,139), and Canada (26,821).

Among the top-25 leading countries in 2012, list of countries with a double digit IS enrollment POSITIVE growth (comparing 2011) are

1. Saudi Arabia (50.4 %)

2. China (23.1 %)

3. Iran (24.1%)

4. Venezuela (14.4 %)

5. Spain (13.7 %)

(IMAGINE THE OPPORTUNITIES!!! SOME OF THESE COUNTRIES ARE CONSIDERED VERY HARD TO PENETRATE THE GOSPEL WITH)

While countries (in the top-25 leading countries with the most sending IS in the US) with a significant IS enrollment DROP (comparing 2011) are

1. Thailand (-7.4 %)

2. Nepal (-6.6 %)

3. Taiwan (-6.3 %)

4. Japan (-6.2 %)

5. India (-3.5 %)

(WE HAVE SEEN THE IMPACT OF ECONOMIC CRISIS IMPACTING NOT ONLY US BUT ALSO ASIA)

One study suggests that 80% of Internationals have never been invited into an American family home which I assume, American families who open and are brave/willing/passionate to welcome foreigners are Christian families. It means in the US, as many as 600,000 Internationals would go back to their countries WITHOUT any contact and experience with American families.

While in our area (Williamsburg to Va Beach), according to the NGO report, there are at least 2,000 International student enrolling in ODU and other local colleges. As many 1600 Internationals in our area have never been invited into a loving and friendly American homes! They too will leave this area or go back to their home countries without having any contact or intimate relationship with American families/friends.

Would you be praying with us to change this reality?