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Dear International Student,
All my life I have loved the nations. It started with my Italian grandparents on my father’s side and my Syrian grandmother on my mother’s. (My Lebanese grandfather died when my mom was a teenager).
I was fascinated by their languages, cultures and belongings, and I grew up thinking, People from other countries are so interesting.
Because of my love of language, teaching and international people and places, I became an English as a Second Language instructor and taught in Europe for ten years (in Estonia, Finland and France) and also in the United States (Florida, California, Pennsylvania and Virginia).
When I came to BSSM in 2005 for first year, we only had a small number of internationals. I was hired by Bethel part-time to write testimonies in 2006 and I asked if I could host a welcome reception for our 50 international students. I felt the Lord’s pleasure on it. And I’ve been doing it ever since. The welcome reception that I put on in September is truly my favorite night of the year!
Shortly after that, BSSM qualified for SEVIS, and the leaders knew we would then be able to have more international students and would need someone to look out for them. Since I already had the heart, they thought of me.
And since then, I’ve been joyfully serving the international students by giving them information on living in the US, connecting them with people who can help them, and putting on events for them throughout the school year.
Because I know the challenges and privileges of living in another country, I understand the need for information and help. I take as my Scripture Leviticus 19:33-34:
"When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God."
You have this promise from Him in Deuteronomy 10:18:
"He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing."
My dream for BSSM international students is that while they are here, they will receive all that God has here for them and also for their country. I love when they carry their country on their heart and fall more in love with it while they are here. God loves each land, and each people group has something unique from Him that shows His glory. Find out the history with God that people from your land have, and call them back to the place God has for them! Let your victories be theirs!
What a joy it has been to meet people from so many countries and learn from them. I am happy to finally have a website where I can house lots of information in one place. I hope it will be a blessing to you all.
Much love,
Pam Spinosi
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