It's been my pleasure to become acquainted with many of you over the past several weeks here on campus and I've particularly enjoyed meeting our wonderful volleyball players and families; they have been a fantastic introduction to the amazing work God is doing here at the school.

One of my roles at Northland involves promoting and maintaining our international program (now called Northland and Beyond), a valuable component of the work of the school in so many ways. As you probably know, most of our international students have great potential to go back to their respective countries and make quite an impact. In this sense, the opportunity to be a host family to one of these students for a year is "missions in reverse"--it is an opportunity to make an impact on the life of not only a student, but also on entire family and communities overseas. 

While you may not be able or equipped to travel overseas to share your faith, hosting a student is a unique way that you can minister to someone from another culture right from your own home! Additionally, the mutual learning that takes place, from one culture to another, is always remarkable to witness. As our own elementary staff member Debbie Wilkins has often noted, "Xiaowen has broadened our horizons much more than we have hers; she has enriched our lives greatly!" 

As we plan for next year, it is important to us to continue to provide warm, loving, Christian homes for each of these international students the Lord has brought us. Ideally, we would like to find Northland families, committed to Christ, who will invest in these kids' lives, involve them in the lives of their church and family, and treat them as their own. A stipend from the school will more than cover any expenses associated with hosting, and we have a number of people who are ready to come alongside and assist in the orientation process, answering all questions, and equipping you for the work.

What I would like to ask is that you prayerfully consider to what extent your family might be involved in this process: 

1. Could you be a Northland and Beyond "Advocate," someone on whom we can call to recommend good families, make inroads in your church, and help spread the word in any way possible?

2. Could you sub for our Northland and Beyond program, helping host families on an occasional evening or weekend by taking a student for a short time?

3. Could you open your home for a school year, allowing a student the privilege of living with your family, learning from you, and growing with you?

If any of these sound like possibilities, I would love to hear from you! Please don't hesitate to contact me any time.