Family

When one thinks of family, they remember the group of people that they are born into. We don't have a choice who our family is or how they will accept us and treat us. Growing up in a family in a small town brought lots of challenges. From the outside looking in, we were the perfect family. Two parents, two children. However, from the inside looking out, I knew that we were always far from perfect. I was never happy living at home, but once I moved out I realized just how good I had it there.

Now that I am in charge of International Student Services for Campbell University, I have learned a new take on family. Each of the international students arrive here on their own. Usually they don't know anyone, so quite often I am the first face of Campbell that they see. Since they are here on their own, like most college students are, this is a place where they need to create their own family. When I entered Divinity school several years ago, I began to create my own family. This is a group of my friends that I know I can count on for anything. However, I don't often think of what I might mean to someone else in terms of family.

I was reminded of this last week. There is a student from Moldova that I have been getting to know. She is very dear and close to my heart. I have been watching God work in her life over the past few weeks, and I am thrilled to see the way He answers prayers. Last week, International Student Services coordinated a host family meal. On this night, the student from Moldova came with me. She has adopted me as her family. After the meal, each student and family stood up. The family was to introduce the student, and the student the family.

My student and I stood up, and we were the last to go. I introduced her and told everyone where she was from, a little about Moldova, what she is studying, and that she means a lot to me. After that, my student began to speak. She introduced me and told everyone that I was in charge of International student services and also a student in the Divinity School. She went on to say some things that will stick with me for a while. She told about how I am always there for her, taking care of her needs, and helping her to see God at work. She told the group that she loved me, and that I meant more to her than any family or friend ever could. I began to get tears in my eyes. I cried because she is not a person that expresses her feelings, so to hear her saying these things about me just touched my heart.

I am honored to be her family, honored to be her friend. She puts a smile on my face and reminds me how lucky I am to be living. Even though we weren't born into the same family, we are family, helping each other along this journey called life.