Every August, First United Methodist Church West Lafayette opens its doors to nearly 200 new international graduate students arriving at Purdue University. Through the leadership of church member John Norberg and the generosity of dozens of volunteers from our congregation, partner churches, the Wesley Foundation, and the wider community, we offer a warm meal, practical information, and a heartfelt welcome to students who are beginning a new chapter far from home.
One of the most meaningful parts of the evening is something many people never see again: four handmade encouragement cards created by Carol Smith. Each student receives a set of cards with instructions to open them at different points during the semester—one upon arrival, another after settling in, a third as coursework intensifies, and a final card during finals week, offering hope and encouragement when it is often needed most.
Recently, church member and Purdue graduate program advisor Karen Hull shared a beautiful glimpse of what those cards mean.
At a luncheon celebrating students graduating this August, one student smiled as she received a handwritten note and said, “I’m going to keep this with the cards from the church.” She shared that she had opened each card at the appointed time, had carried them with her through a co-op on the West Coast and back to West Lafayette, and still treasured them. Another student quickly added, “Oh yes, I still have all of the cards from the church.”
It’s easy to wonder whether small acts of kindness make a difference. Stories like this remind us that they do. A welcoming meal, a friendly conversation, and a few handwritten words of encouragement can become lasting reminders that someone cared—and that, even far from home, these students were welcomed into a community that saw them, valued them, and wished them well.
As we prepare to welcome this year’s incoming graduate students, thank you to everyone whose time, gifts, and prayers make this ministry possible.
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