Austin ministry to internationals marks 40 years

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AUSTIN—Friendship International recently celebrated 40 years of service to women from all over the world—and making friends for Jesus.

Women meet weekly to learn American cooking, citizenship requirements and procedures, computer and other technological skills, creative writing, jewelry making, cardmaking and crafts, a wide variety of needlework skills and English.

While they are learning new skills and making new friends, a childcare team supervises their children.

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Since 1969, Friendship International has been reaching out to women from all over the world.

Women from Iran, Turkey, Argentina, China, Japan, Iraq, Taiwan, Brazil, South Korea, Morocco, Peru, Mexico, India and France attended the first meeting of the year.

Women from 14 Austin churches volunteer to support the ministry that meets each week at Hyde Park Baptist Church, as it has for all four decades of the ministry.

“Getting to Know You” is the theme song of the group, and Director Virginia Kreimeyer said relationship-building has been one of the focuses of the group since its inception.

The group has its genesis in tragedy, she related.

In 1968, a doctoral student from India was pursuing his studies at The University of Texas, leaving his wife at home in their Austin apartment for long hours each day. One day, her loneliness reached its nadir. She walked to the Congress Avenue bridge over Interstate 35 and jumped, committing suicide.

In response, the Baptist Student Union director called a meeting of area pastors, telling them something had to be done to minister to the increasing number of internationals studying in Austin.


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In 1969, Friendship International began reaching out to women from all over the world. The number of women varies from year to year and week to week, Kreimeyer said. There have been more than 500 women in attendance and as few as 80, but the number is not the important part, she said.

Virginia Kreimeyer directs Friendship International in Austin, where women of all ages from around the world find a place to belong. (PHOTOS/George Henson)

“We teach English, but we teach so many other things,” she said. “Mostly, we are a bridge to share Christ.”

Eddie Smith has been a part of the ministry almost since its inception. She has been meeting with women from all over the world 38 years. She has led the hospitality committee the last seven years.

“What got me here was living in another country and being that person who didn’t know the language, didn’t know the culture, didn’t have many friends. I had been that person living in another country,” Smith said.

“I feel like God has brought all these ladies to Austin, and if we can get to know them, the very first witness is as a friend.

“When the internationals come, some stay and some go back home. If we’ve planted the right seeds, they go back home with at least that seed of knowing who Christ is, and we don’t know what he’ll do with that. We don’t know how they will effect the people there.”

One of the former participants was known to have helped missionaries in Africa escape during a violent uprising.

The motivation to share Christ and change lives is what keeps the volunteers coming back year after year, Kreimeyer said.

“Our workers are some of the most faithful, committed women you can imagine. They are prepared—they don’t just show up. But most of all, they come ready to share friendship and the love of God with whoever is here,” she said.

Some women who were involved in the ministry have started similar ministries in the locations where they moved. Friendship International ministries have sprung up in Tyler, Houston and Kentucky.

“This is where the rubber meets the road,” Kreimeyer said. “You can be a missionary on Thursday morning and go home for lunch. I feel honored God has given me an opportunity to be a part.”

 


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