I was innocently attending Bible Study when an announcement from the front asked, "Anyone who might like to learn more about having an exchange student in their home this coming school year should write their name on this list and we will contact you just with more information.
Several months passed with no further information, and the idea passed from my mind. Until one day the call came, "You asked for more information about having an exchange student? When can we get together?"
A short week or so later we had received approval to take on an exchange student and agreed on a Ukrainian girl, age 16. How hard could this be? I mean, we've just been through hell and back, we can handle anything, right?
Again a few more months and the call goes out, "Do you know anyone who could take a student? There are still some in need of good homes." Thinking of our fourth bedroom, our goal of generosity in serving the LORD and forgetting our tendency to get in over our heads, we discussed, prayed, and agreed to take a second student. A girl from Pakistan? Why not?
We had previously heard that many of the Muslim students are only nominally so and some even eat pork. They even like going to church and don't follow many Muslim traditions. Of course this would be true for us, right?
No worries that our country had just lost around 30 soldiers in Pakistan, had recently completed covert missions to kill Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan, and that the 10th anniversary of September 11th was right around the corner. Most Americans are tolerant and won't be prejudiced toward a Muslim girl. She'll probably even wear American clothing!
Riiiiiiight...
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