"Out of sight, out of mind." Quite frankly, this short phrase describes how I have related to my far-away friends whom I don't see on a regular basis. Why? You might ask. A number of reasons can readily roll off my tongue. It takes a lot of effort to keep in touch with them, and I am tired. I am too busy at the moment. They are probably busy with their own things as well. What's there to talk about now that we are in different places? Is it worth the trouble? The root of all these excuses, however, is an immature and unloving heart.
God gave me the opportunity to wrestle against my naturally uncaring disposition through the Overseas group in the International Student Ministry. The Overseas group is responsible for maintaining contacts with graduate students or visiting scholars who have joined the International Student Ministry while they were in Berkeley but have returned to their home countries after they finished their program or research. The Overseas group would try to meet up once a week to brainstorm ways to keep up these precious relationships. As we recounted memories of these relationships, I was often struck by the preciousness of these relationships and these people. It gave me motivation and reasons to make an effort to keep in touch with them. And as I tried to do that, God reminded me that He is the one who would never forget or forsake us because He loves us so much. So, through the Overseas group, I experience God's love a little deeper, and I learn to love a little bit deeper.