Spring break signals a time of freedom and road trips for many college students, but spring break can bring the unique opportunity to spend extra time with international students.
While there is an emptiness in campus life due to the quick exodus of most students, some international students remain behind with often nothing to do.
Rather than traveling out of state to do missions during spring break, some of us from Auburn Baptist Campus Ministries decided to spend some of our days on mission with international students by offering them the opportunity to visit a few meaningful historical sites in our state.
Countless international students come to America with a fascination with the civil rights movement in the 1960s.
Alabama certainly took on a prominent role during those turbulent times so we chose to visit sites in Birmingham, Marion, Selma and Montgomery. We began our journey with a screening of the movie “Selma” at the Baptist Student Center a few days before our departure from Auburn.
Remember many of the events during this era happened through the guidance of prominent Christian pastors and churches.
While standing on these sites, we were reminded of conversations that carried themes of restoration, hope and freedom: the very topics of conversation that arise when speaking with someone about their need for a Savior Who desires to bring the same into their personal lives.
You want to get to know someone with the intent of influencing them toward a Kingdom worldview? Take a trip together, and spend that time in prayer and discovery with international traveling companions.
Written by Steve Thompson
Steve Thompson serves as campus minister at Auburn University (www.aubcm.com)