Be a Christ Centered Home for an International Student
Each year, as many as 40 students from around the world come to Fargo's Oak Grove Lutheran School to continue their education and...
...all of them need a host family.
If you have extra love in your heart and an extra room in your home, consider this 9 month opportunity to experience cross cultural ministry in your home. It is a privelege to encourage Bethel families to pray about hosting an exchange student in their home. For more information, contact Oak Grove at 701.237.0210.
Here are some testimonies from people who have chosen to participate.
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Corky Titus, Host Parent
"Are you considering hosting an international student? Peggy and I struggled with the idea. We decided yes, then no, then Yes. Hosting international students is challenging, not once in awhile, always. Exactly like raising our own kids. Yes, hosting international students is rewarding, not once in awhile, always. Exactly like raising our own kids. Our entire family is more than we were because of this experience. With God's blessing we will continue to be part of this program. Hosting international students, like raising your own children, is well worth the trip."
The student's perspective...
"This year at Oak Grove in America was totally different from what I had done before I came here. The school system, new friends, my host family, food...all American life was fresh and there were lots of things to learn. This made me able to think about and look at my home country and culture from different angles. This experience changed me and when I return to Japan, I will continue to grow from this experience."
Chad and Monica Schlemmer,
Host Family to Tomomi
"From our experience, we would highly recommend hosting an international student. Our situation is far from ideal, yet God provides just what we need at all times. Last summer we applied to have a student live in our home. We have a small four bedroom rambler, our oldest girl was then three, our boy was 1 ½ and our third baby arrived Sept 24. It has been a joy to share our life experiences with Tomomi and our situation has brought about many quality conversations about God and life. We have considered this opportunity a mission field, planting seeds everyday and without leaving the house."
What we recommend:
1. Treat your student as a member of the family. Expect the same from them as you would your own child. There was no choice to attend or not to attend regular family events or to help with chores (do their own laundry, clean their room and bathroom, etc). That is part of the "American" experience for your home.
2. Offer as many activities as possible. We continuously asked what Tomomi wanted to do and tried to make that happen. Our parents live in the Cities, so we could easily do many additional activities.
3. Be open to new foods. Tomomi was expected to help cook one meal a week. We have enjoyed many new foods in our home and she has been able to share some of her culture.
Expect to have your life challenged. We let ourselves be transparent and Tomomi sees the good, bad and ugly days. We have also been able to use the hard times to give testimony of God's faithfulness, protection and why faith is important. Tomomi has made us better people.
We love our host daughter Tomomi!!!!