Forbes.com recently published a nice infographic on the top-ten countries that send international students to the United States. Check it out:

Thanksgiving is an American holiday with rich traditions of food, family and remembering all the things in our lives we have to be grateful for. For international students living in the USA, it can be a fantastic time to participate in some American culture and get to know local friends. Many American families enjoy welcoming others to their table during the Thanksgiving season.

For international students, scholars and families, we invite you sign up to eat with a local family on Thursday, November 17, 2016. This is actually one week before Thanksgiving Day. We are holding this event early to work well with the universities' schedules. Since there is a week of no classes, many students and families like to travel, but most people are still in town on the 17th.

If you sign up, you will be matched with an American family and several other students, to enjoy a Thanksgiving style meal. Bring some friends! So far, over 20 local friends have signed up to help with this event, and we are ready to help you meet them!

What: Dinner, Thanksgiving Style
When: Thursday, November 17, 2016 in the evening.
Cost: FREE. Please, be our guest!
Who: International Students, Scholars, and their families.

All over the Pacific Northwest, more than 125 people have met together to learn about a new discipleship approach that International Students Inc. has been promoting. As followers of Jesus, we want to love Him first and to love our neighbors with His love. We also also live under His commission to "Go and make disciples of all nations..." (Matt. 28:19).

How do we love our neighbors? How do we make disciples of the nations? And, how do we connect these two important aims into a seamless lifestyle that is faithful to the Bible and easy to model for others? That's what M:28 Global Discipleship training will show you. Designed to be very interactive, trainees spend lots of time exploring the Word of God together and practicing the simple, Biblical principles. I (Ian) have already helped with six M:28 events this year, and I am thrilled to bring this to my own town. On Saturday, October 15, we will be meeting in downtown Pullman for this one-day event. Learn more...

For several years now, a group of Christians in Pullman, WA have been offering  free furniture to international students.  What a great, practical ministry! So many international students arrive in town with just two or three suitcases from home, and Pullman does not offer very many options for purchasing used or inexpensive stuff.

Most internationals have very simple requirements for their household setup. Many of them are happy to put a mattress on the floor or eat at a coffee table. Still, it's a great witness to our friends to provide this service with free delivery to their apartment.

Throughout the year, a few volunteers with eagle eyes are on the lookout for discarded furnishings that might be useful for incoming students in the fall. It is surprising to see some of the lightly used items that are left behind in the springtime. Others donate used furniture directly to the joint ministry. One American on his way to Japan just donated an entire apartment full of stuff! The furniture is stored in a large garage, and as the fall semester begins, the inventory is sorted for the big day. This year, the big day is Saturday, August 27! International Students Inc. is excited to partner with other local believers to provide this ministry, because we all care about our international friends..