Welcome to UT...Really?

"I was hopeless and it was very heavy news for me."  That's what one of our international students said in response to the I.C.E. decision on July 6 to essentially kick out all foreign students if their university decided to shift all classes to online.  We let our elected officials, and also our international friends, know that we strongly opposed the insensitive decision, and we were so relieved when the answer to prayer came, allowing students to stay.  Sadly, however, due to Covid-19, embassy closures, visa delays, and travel restrictions, RUF-I at UT has welcomed ZERO new students from abroad this fall.   And with 2000 UT students in self-isolation, and the administration tightening the belt, what was already a gaunt campus now resembles more of a ghost town. 

YES - Fall is Still Here!

If RUF International is the church going to the campus in order to welcome the nations in Christ's name, then RUF-I is having to be creative and flexible in our mission in the Covid "era", as campus is closed for all intents and purposes.  So we've gathered responsibly off campus a number of times, including for a special "Welcome Back" party in late August at the home of Ron & Theresa Leadbetter (UT retirees, active RUF-I hosts, & my amazing parents!).  What a fun night of team water relays, volleyball, sharing a meal, UT trivia, prizes, and, of course.....a group sing of "Rocky Top"!  

Hope in the Dark

This is a time of darkness and distress for many people around the world, and particularly with the Coronavirus threat and also ongoing racial and political tension.  It seemed fitting to build our International Dinner & Discovery event on Thursday nights around the theme of "Hope in the Dark".  And instead of trying to gather as a large group, we've been encouraged at the response from international friends as we've gathered in small groups for dinner and discussion in nearby homes, in a church chapel, and via Zoom.
After our first dinner, A Pakistani PhD student messaged to say: "It was awesome.  We enjoyed eating and sharing deep thoughts in a small space.  It was different than (typical) RUF-I events.....more family-like."  An Indian friend shared her feelings: "We loved...the message for today's discussion.....it was very positive and definitely gave all of us hope."  And a Chinese grad student, as he responded to one of the evening's questions, answered: "Definitely, I believe that death is the end of life.....but I don't know.....I've actually never thought about this before." 

Prayer & Praise 

- Praise for the ability - even if limited - to gather with international students off campus
- Pray for fall small groups (ESL, art, cooking, outdoor events, Intro to Christianity, and Race & Culture)
- Praise for the opportunity to officiate the wedding of 2 former RUF-I volunteers!
- Pray that through Thursday Dinner & Discovery events our friends would discover Christ to be their only Hope in the darkness
- Pray for our kids as the fall school "experiment" is underway and evolving often - Neissa (6th at new school), Annie (7th at new school), Phillip (freshman at UT), & Daniel (junior "at" Wheaton College)

Thank You!

By God's grace, we are continuing to have a significant impact in the lives of friends at UT from countries like India and Iraq, Rwanda and Sudan, Ecuador and Egypt. And we're prayerfully optimistic that, in this unusual "season", we might witness Jesus drawing these internationals friends into deeper fellowship with us, and especially into new or deeper fellowship with Himself. We praise God, and thank you, for your indispensable partnership in this ministry!