Eight countries and counting ...

From every nation, tribe and tongue ...             
Eight countries and counting ...

If you follow Immerse on Facebook, then you will recognize this photo from the beginning of this semester (about 2 months ago).  At that point, there were residents from 8 countries living at Immerse (from various parts of Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas).  That number has since gone up to 12 countries!  This is a great group and there is a lot to be thankful for.  Here are some examples:

A young woman from Asia said to me one day, "Hey, I have something to tell you.  I'm getting baptized soon."  "Really?!", I asked.  "So that means that you've accepted Jesus???"  Her answer, of course, was yes.  Besides living at Immerse, where she knows the staff are followers of Christ, she has been attending a local church for 2 services: one in English, and one in her native language.  I and others have been praying for this day!

A Venezuelan woman recently arrived, also to study English at our school. What especially excites me about this is that she is a WEC Latino missionary preparing to go to an unreached country! She is a real servant, always cheerful, always looking for ways to help out, and often interacting with the other residents when she isn't busy studying. She's going to do very well when she finally arrives at her ultimate destination. (And I am super excited about the possibility of more WEC Latino workers coming through Immerse as Patty and I stay in touch).

I walked by a group of residents the other day who were sitting together around a dining room table and I had to smile and breathe a prayer.  One of our American students, a strong Christian, was explaining to the other 5 international residents around her the meaning of Easter.  They were listening very eagerly. This is how we roll, as the saying goes.  At Immerse, we seek to build relationships and pray for natural opportunities to share our faith.  In this way, great conversations take place.  We learn about our residents and their beliefs and culture, their likes and dislikes, their worldview, etc. and we can share about ours.  (And of course, we count on the Holy Spirit to be at work in their hearts as we share our beliefs).

A new arrival from Central Asia has come to study English at our English School.  He is friends with a few others who have previously lived at Immerse and who came to faith while here in the US!   God is at work in that area of the world and it is a real privilege to be a part of what He is doing by loving and serving those who come to Immerse.  And of course we pray for them while seeking natural opportunities to share with them, to "always be ready to give an answer for the hope within us ... with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:15).


As I've mentioned before, we are a small staff at Immerse who take turns in sending out monthly news / prayer letters. We strive to keep them short but informative.  If you are interested in receiving these, please let me know or you can go to our website,  http://www.immerse-us.com/ , click on Contact, and ask to be put on our mailing list.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support.
In Christ, for Christ, til the whole world hears!

Cheryl Keiper                                                                                                                                          Director of Residential Services
Immerse International Campus
Millersville, PA