Community Outreach
By Lindy Spore

Think of your home country. Think about wanting all of your life to go and live in another country, and for years practicing and becoming acquainted with the language. Your desire (if you truly wanted to understand and learn the language to the fullest) would be to live in the country of interest. You would want to learn the culture first hand, instead of reading about it or listening to an instructor, right? You, friend, are not the only one.

Hundreds of young people all around the world have hungered to live in America. They situate themselves throughout the beautiful U.S.A., and many live in Tulsa. On the 14th floor of the CityPlex Towers is the University Language Institute (ULI) where many of these young people study. This is where International Connection comes into the picture.

The International Connection (an original ORU outreach) plans various activities with the students of ULI. With a group of fellow ORU students, you could find yourself having a blast in activities such as volleyball, bowling, ice skating and Easter-egg hunting, just to name a few. Sarah Mackowiak, leader of International Connection, commented on this organization's goals. "The goal is for all students to come and meet and connect...really get to know [the international students]." This is what they need, for us to reach out to them, to show the love of Christ. "Many do not know God," Mackowiak said. "Some of them are atheist, Catholic, some Muslim...(from) Africa, Asia and South America. [With this] opportunity to form relationships...you have the chance to evangelize," Mackowiak said. But, as she reminded me, "It does take time. It doesn't happen right away."

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