Big Howdy
By: Samson Tang, Associate College Pastor
It’s 9:00 am. A beautiful Monday morning in Texas and it’s time to go, but as I look around I start to get nervous. I see lots of vehicles and the expectant faces of their drivers who are hoping to meet a new friend and welcome their new international neighbors. The parking looks suspiciously empty, but before any negative thoughts can enter my head, I see a couple groups of international students start walking to the parking lot. I look at a couple of the volunteers who had come. We share a smile. The Big Howdy Tour had begun.
When I think of the Big Howdy Tour many words come to mind: international students, fun, excitement, chaos, crowds, Stockyards, volunteers, rushing, hurrying. But as I noticed the down numbers in students for this year, I noticed something different and I had another word come to mind: CONNECTIONS.
Then I remembered: this was the purpose behind the Big Howdy Tour. It wasn’t to have as many students as possible. It wasn’t to show these students the Water Gardens, Stockyards, and Sundance Square. It wasn’t to get them to eat a meal at the Cornerstone. Although we did all that, these were not the main agenda of the Big Howdy. It was to make connections. It was to be like Jesus.
Just like we showed these students around our city; Jesus showed us a way to the Father. And just as we strive to make connections with these students, Jesus gave us the best connection possible when He connected us to our Father. And just as our Savior loves you and me; Jesus loves all these students and He knows them by name.
So the day went by, and places were visited, food was shared, jokes were laughed at, songs were sung, and connections were made. As we returned from our tour we stopped at the Cornerstone for an international lunch. Students opened up and the building was loud, noisy, and full of joy. Students left feeling loved, welcomed, and connected. Will any of these students come to know our Savior through these connections? I don’t know, because their story is just beginning. I hope so and I pray that they do. However, I know that He loves them and He wants us to live out that love in how we connect and welcome them. I also know that He wants all of us to play a part as well. Will you join us next time?
