by Austin Kilduff
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17
One day while doing table outreach at Fresno State, a curious student approached our table to investigate our prize wheel and colorful display of snacks, games, and school supplies. Geraud and I introduced ourselves and asked the standard questions - we learned her name is Kim, she’s a senior studying psychology, and she just transferred. After talking for a few minutes, Geraud told her “hopefully we’ll see you around.” Kim replied, “unless you get me confused with my secret twin sister.” Intrigued, we inquired further. Kim told us she once visited family in Mexico and ran into a girl who looked exactly like her. Her mother had hidden this fact so far, but now the cat was out of the bag and at long last Kim met her twin. Geraud and I were stunned by this Parent Trap-esque story and remained in awe long after Kim said goodbye and went to class.
A few weeks later we were in the same spot to meet students. Not long after setting up, I saw a familiar face approaching and immediately remembered her incredible story. Kim walked up and said hello, but my memory was failing me. “Hello! I remember the story about your sister... but not your name.” A small smile appeared on her face as she realized she could give me a hard time. “Wow, you forgot all about me!” I began to apologize when her smile turned into a giggle. I breathed a sigh of relief that she was being a good sport, and Kim finally reminded me of her name. She spun the prize wheel and won a free lunch with Geraud or I. Some students aren’t interested in meeting up with someone they just met, so we give them the option to spin again. Kim, however, got excited. “It’ll be payback for forgetting everything about me.”
When Kim and I got lunch the following Monday, I invited her to a few upcoming events including our weekly Bible study. “Aw, I have a conflict Monday nights. But I might be able to come afterward tonight.” When students say maybe, it usually means no. But once again, Kim proved to be the exception when she showed up in the library to meet the group after our Bible study had ended. And the next week. And every Monday night since. Now when Geraud and I are on campus to meet students, Kim is at our side enthusiastically inviting her fellow students to “Come spin the wheel and win a prize!”
Kim has some church background but is still in the beginning stages of understanding the Gospel and getting integrated with a Christian community. However, our relationship with Kim has gotten off to an incredible start and we’re so encouraged to see her continue to show up and connect with other students. I ask that you would join me in praying for Kim, that she would come to experience Jesus in impactful ways and that her continued presence in and enthusiasm for the group would spread and build greater unity in our community of students.
Kim, second from the right, joining our group to meet new students at Fresno State.
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