By Odoi Odotei

It has truly been an amazing journey of faith as H.I.S. BridgeBuilders has served in Boston for the last three years.By faith, we were led to begin a ministry in a city in which so many of our neighbors resisted receiving the free gift of grace from Jesus Christ. So many Boston residents have turned a cold shoulder to the truth about Jesus Christ.Yet and still, hope remains!

We see hope in the lives of people like Lisa Xia. Lisa, a young woman from China, moved to Boston over five years ago with her husband and daughter. Knowing very little English, Lisa was one of the first students to come to the English classes and Bible studies we hosted at our partner church, Hope Fellowship, in Cambridge, MA. Lisa initially thought the truth of the gospel was funny, impossible even. Nevertheless, we faithfully ministered to her language and spiritual needs.

Now, three years later, Lisa is an active member of the Body of Christ, attending worship services at Hope Fellowship, serving in ministry and sharing the truth of Jesus Christ with her friends and family .Lisa always says, “I came here first to learn English, but now I know Jesus!” By faith, the Lord has blessed the ministry of H.I.S. BridgeBuilders – Boston tremendously, growing the numbers of Christ disciples beyond all of our expectations. Men and women who were once opposed to the truth of Jesus Christ are daily being transformed—made new by God’s grace—and are now brothers and sisters in the faith. It is humbling to know that this ministry has been used so effectively for the kingdom and the glory of our Father. This summer was an exceptional season of outreach and relationship building.

Earlier in the season, we welcomed over 60 international students to our summer session of “English As A Second Language” classes and bible studies. The English Program gave us yet another opportunity to help our immigrant neighbors become acquainted with life in America while we shared the message of true life through the gospel of Jesus Christ. And the blessings are sure to grow, as so many of our believing students will return to their home countries, further spreading the good news of Christ in some of the most unreached parts of the world.

Winter 2007 also holds much promise for blessing as we continue with our English classes and Bible studies at Hope Fellowship and start a brand new international outreach ministry at the Fresh Pond Apartments. The apartments are a local community that is home to over 2,300 residents from 20 different nations, the vast majority of whom live far below the poverty line.