They will be called Oaks of Righteousness

The Vision of ISEED (International Students as Equipped and Empowered Disciples) is to see internationals raised up as oaks of righteousness among the nations.

An acorn is tiny insignificant.

But inside it contains all the nutrients it needs to grow, to mature, and to become a mighty and strong oak. That's what we desire for our ISEED participants this year. That God would raise them up, shape them to become strong, mighty oaks.

Watch video: Oaks of Righteousness

ISEED 2014-15 Kick Off Celebration Lunch

On Thursday, August 28, we had a celebration lunch at the IFI Office to kick off the ISEED 2014 - 15 training year. Many wonderful people attended, and we are so grateful for their presence. We had our Executive Director, Rich Mendola, ISEED alumni, mentors, supervisors, and host families.

We proudly present the 2014 - 2015 ISEEDers:

Angelique Nyinawabera from Rwanda:


Yuemin Zhan from China:


And Amity Lin from China:


To learn more about them, check out their profile at http://www.ifipartners.org/interns.php

A Look to the Past: ISEEDers Yesterday, Disciple-Makers Today

Here's a slideshow with an overview of ISEED as well as updates of our alumni. Enjoy :)

EMI training

At the week of July 18th-July 25th, Estera led us to attend a training called "Equipping Ministries International" in Cincinnati. If you wonder what it is about, click "http://equippingministries.org/". 

The courses we took include "Listening for Heaven's Sake", "Quick to Listen Leaders", "Speaking the Truth in Love", "Renewing the Mind", "Irresistible Evangelism", and "Confronting Conflict". I will recommend these to whoever is reading the post. 

It really renews my mind. It is biblical, practical and relational.

Most importantly, I was able to use them:

1. I spoke the truth in love to my friend whom I thought didn't respect me. 
2. I listened to a friend who was asking for advice about which major to choose. 
3. I apologized for my part to someone who had a conflict with me and let God take over the rest.
4. I tried to identify my beliefs when I had mixed feeling about an event. 
5. I spoke the truth to one of my Christian friends about something I was concerned with.
6. I renewed my identity in Christ and not let my dad's condemnation have a chance to ruin it....and etc.

You might wonder: Wow..so many things happen!

Life consists of moments when we can set aside our desire in order to serve people more, when we can put off our pat answers in order to feel what people feel, when we can give up our time in order to save a soul......

May God give us wisdom and guidance in our life.  

Now it is time to enjoy some pictures: (Woohoo~)

Estera, Angelique, Amity, Wenqi, and Caty. We are at Dewey's Pizza ;)

On Sunday, we had a break. We visited a church called "Crossroads" and then we headed to Jungle Jim's!

Courses wrap-up

Columbus group with the EMI staff.

This is our class.