1 00:00:00,830 --> 00:00:02,799 - [Narrator] The Annual International Friends Retreat 2 00:00:02,799 --> 00:00:05,550 was first held back in 2013. 3 00:00:05,550 --> 00:00:07,400 When Alabama WMU 4 00:00:07,400 --> 00:00:09,500 and the Collegiate and Student Ministries Office 5 00:00:09,500 --> 00:00:11,747 of the State Board of Missions joined forces 6 00:00:11,747 --> 00:00:13,290 to host the event 7 00:00:13,290 --> 00:00:15,400 at Worldsong Missions Place. 8 00:00:15,400 --> 00:00:16,358 The retreat is designed 9 00:00:16,358 --> 00:00:17,660 to bring American 10 00:00:17,660 --> 00:00:19,202 and international students together 11 00:00:19,202 --> 00:00:21,810 in a fun and relaxing environment. 12 00:00:21,810 --> 00:00:23,564 Where friendships can be started 13 00:00:23,564 --> 00:00:26,670 and relationships fostered. 14 00:00:26,670 --> 00:00:30,220 - I couldn't think of a more perfect setting 15 00:00:30,220 --> 00:00:32,280 for our international students 16 00:00:32,280 --> 00:00:34,190 to find a place of peace 17 00:00:34,190 --> 00:00:36,120 and our American students 18 00:00:36,120 --> 00:00:37,600 to find that place as well, 19 00:00:37,600 --> 00:00:41,620 where they can naturally create relationship 20 00:00:41,620 --> 00:00:45,100 as they go about doing life on the camps of Worldsong 21 00:00:45,100 --> 00:00:46,100 - [Narrator] Each year, 22 00:00:46,100 --> 00:00:47,510 the international students 23 00:00:47,510 --> 00:00:48,740 are given gift bags 24 00:00:48,740 --> 00:00:51,720 that have been lovingly assembled by Alabama Baptists 25 00:00:51,720 --> 00:00:54,330 of all ages from across the state. 26 00:00:54,330 --> 00:00:55,200 This year, 27 00:00:55,200 --> 00:00:57,930 these gift bags will take on more significance. 28 00:00:57,930 --> 00:00:59,970 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 29 00:00:59,970 --> 00:01:03,600 the 2020 International Friends Retreat won't take place. 30 00:01:03,600 --> 00:01:06,270 But churches again, have the opportunity 31 00:01:06,270 --> 00:01:07,335 to donate gift bags, 32 00:01:07,335 --> 00:01:08,750 which will be delivered 33 00:01:08,750 --> 00:01:10,870 to international students through all 34 00:01:10,870 --> 00:01:12,802 of our Baptist campus ministries. 35 00:01:12,802 --> 00:01:16,210 The retreat and the gift bags are both a means 36 00:01:16,210 --> 00:01:17,540 to a greater end. 37 00:01:17,540 --> 00:01:19,085 To facilitate relationships 38 00:01:19,085 --> 00:01:20,259 between American students 39 00:01:20,259 --> 00:01:22,270 and international students, 40 00:01:22,270 --> 00:01:24,301 leading to gospel conversations. 41 00:01:24,301 --> 00:01:26,290 - Who is American students get to know 42 00:01:26,290 --> 00:01:27,650 these international students, 43 00:01:27,650 --> 00:01:30,220 then often they'll come back from the retreat 44 00:01:30,220 --> 00:01:31,500 and they'll invite them to church, 45 00:01:31,500 --> 00:01:32,580 and the international students 46 00:01:32,580 --> 00:01:34,266 are more than willing to get a church. 47 00:01:34,266 --> 00:01:36,580 And then they're interested in learning more 48 00:01:36,580 --> 00:01:37,413 about the Bible. 49 00:01:37,413 --> 00:01:39,234 So they begin studying the Bible together, 50 00:01:39,234 --> 00:01:41,636 but it just develops into friendships 51 00:01:41,636 --> 00:01:44,245 that can last even a lifetime. 52 00:01:44,245 --> 00:01:46,892 - Thank you so much for the gifts that you gave 53 00:01:46,892 --> 00:01:48,968 to the Myers-Mallory State Missions Offering, 54 00:01:48,968 --> 00:01:51,659 which provides us a significant portion 55 00:01:51,659 --> 00:01:54,050 of the budget for Alabama WMU 56 00:01:54,050 --> 00:01:55,230 and allows us 57 00:01:55,230 --> 00:01:57,640 to continue ministries like the 58 00:01:57,640 --> 00:01:58,758 International Friends Retreat 59 00:01:58,758 --> 00:02:01,191 at Worldsong Missions Place. 60 00:02:01,191 --> 00:02:03,608 (soft music)