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Harvey and Ruth Rodger, former missionaries to Colombia, attend attended [[Cornerstone Bible Chapel, Rochester, NY|Congress Avenue Bible Chapel]] in [[New York#Rochester|Rochester]], [[New York]]. This at the time this article was written by . Ruth authored it for the Sept. 1987 issue of [[Letters of Interest]].
=Intro=
=Another couple did it for me=
The whole idea of a student ministry had sprung from my own days at nursing school. A young couple from the chapel faithfully picked me up for church every Sunday, took me home for dinner afterwards and saw to it that I was informed of and involved in as many church activities as possible. It meant so much to me, not only because I was away from home for the first time, but also because I was spiritually "fence sitting." The Lord used them to strengthen and
encourage me, and steer me on the right path. (Incidentally, they also introduced me to my future husband!)
"Do you ever know who's coming?" a friend once asked in dismay. Not usually. We set the table and prepare food for fourteen. Sometimes new students feel hesitant about coming over every week. Old-timers reassure them we really mean it when we say "standing invitation." Study loads or work schedules may keep some away at times. But unless we know
in advance that they won't be coming, we plan on them. We appreciate those from our chapel fellowship who happily accept last-minute invitations to fill in as needed.
We pray about the people who will be with us, and the Holy Spirit works out the details. It took me a while to learn to relax with that. I wanted things "organized," to know who was coming in advance. He's patiently teaching me that I
could never plan the guest list as well as He does.
=These kids become ours=
We've come to regard these kids as our own, sharing their good news and problems, praying them through exams and difficult times, entertaining visiting parents and girlfriends, encouraging them in spiritual things. Our guest room
gets plenty of use when dorms are closed or apartments aren't yet ready.
Students don't so much want gourmet meals in an elegant setting as to feel "at home." We never refuse help in getting things ready, and we put all willing hands to work unmolding gelatin salads, mashing potatoes, making gravy or pouring ice water. There's something about helping that gives you a feeling of belonging.
The guitar and piano in the living room invariably tempt someone to play until dinner is ready. In addition, as new students get to know chapel regulars, they feel more comfortable in the church fellowship. After dinner we usually sit
around the table for a good time of learning more about each other. Often before we leave the table, my husband, Harvey, prays for each one by name. Then everyone gets involved in cleaning up, putting leftovers away, and straightening up the dining room. (I thank the Lord for a dishwasher which usually does three loads on Sundays).
We try to keep meal plans simple: a roast of some sort, potatoes, gravy, two vegetables, salad, bread and dessert. To keep dinner from being boring, there's one special dish each week: a spectacular dessert, homemade blueberry muffins, molded salads or Yorkshire pudding.
I'm always looking for new large recipes for desserts, salads and new ways to serve vegetables. We stay away from serving casseroles on Sundays— the students get plenty of those during the week. Most of the meal preparation takes
place on Friday and Saturday so that I don't get to the worship meeting frazzled. My husband is a tremendous help, setting the table and peeling the potatoes early each Sunday morning.
Looking back, I can see I was dreading the week before our youngest daughter would leave for college. With her school 800 miles away, we knew we wouldn't see her again until Christmas. But during that week prior to her leaving, the Lord sent us two "displaced" students to join the family and fill our time and minds, leaving no room for melancholy thoughts. The house bubbled over with music and fun, not dread.
It's been nearly four years now since we started this ministry. A few students have finished their studies, but remain in the area with new jobs. They continue to come to their "home away from home" whenever they can. We've been especially gratified to see the spiritual growth in these young people and watch them take an active part in the church fellowship. We are all richer for that. A few have dropped out and fallen by the wayside spiritually. We
grieve over them and pray for them daily, but we know it's not because no one cared.
