“For the first time in his life, he felt God’s presence in his heart.”

Janet Mabie
Special to Spur Ottawa

At Algonquin College, it can truly be said, “God is in this place”. Beyond the various Bible studies, prayer gatherings, and other campus outreaches, God has strategically placed His workers in the halls of the college. The hunger is evident, especially among international students.

Matthew Ja Eue came to Canada almost a year ago. Originally from Thailand, he met his Canadian wife, Alison, when she was volunteering there with Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF). After marrying, they served together as missionaries in a Shan village on the border between Myanmar and Thailand. For the past year, however, Ja Eue has found a new mission field.

“I sit in the food court [at Algonquin College], praying for God to bring me someone to share with,” he says.

Matthew and Alison Ja Eue recently returned from the mission field on the Thai-Myanmar border. Photo courtesy of the Ja Eues.

Ja Eue recently finished an English-as-a-second-language program for new immigrants, at Algonquin. He says his fellow students are very open to the gospel.

One day, as he was just about to leave, an Indian man named Sky asked if he could join him. They talked and eventually Ja Eue shared his testimony. Amazingly, Sky asked if Ja Eue would bring him to a Bible study—he had always wanted to go, but was uncomfortable going alone.

“When I brought him to a Bible study on campus, he shared how he had previously explored many different religions, but he never felt God before. We prayed for him at the end and he started crying. For the first time in his life, he felt God’s presence in his heart.”

Not long after, Sky attended a church service with Ja Eue and celebrated his decision to “accepted God’s free gift” of salvation by taking Communion. The experience is only one of many amazing testimonies Ja Eue has seen in the past year. He and Alison often invite students to their home or cottage to share a Thai meal, testimonies, and Bible stories.

So far, through their outreach, students from six different countries have attend their first church service with the Ja Eues.

International students share a Thai meal with the Ja Eues. Photo courtesy of the Ja Eues.

“My vision is to share the gospel with immigrants, refugees, and international students at Algonquin, and to see a harvest of people from all nations committing their lives to Jesus,” explains Ja Eue.

Approximately one in five students at Algonquin are international students and many are from closed countries where it is dangerous to share the gospel. Ja Eue says God has brought them to Canada where they can hear the gospel and come to faith without fear of punishment.

“We have this amazing opportunity to share with all nations, right here in Ottawa.”

Simon Mao is a friend of Ja Eue’s who is also reaching out to international students. He currently studies computer engineering at Algonquin and serves as International Ministry Coordinator at the Metropolitan Bible Church (MET).

“As a student, it allows me to meet the international students more conveniently, to make connections with the students in my class or in the college, in general, when there are activities or clubs,” he explains.

When asked the best ways to reach out to the students, Mao answers, “In my opinion, food, engaging conversation, and a comfortable couch are the most [natural] techniques.”

“For the first time in his life, he felt God’s presence in his heart.”

Mao admits that outreach can be challenging due to students’ busy schedules, diversity within the student body, and established worldviews and value systems of older students. Yet he is committed to continue connecting with students one-on-one and is exploring the idea of starting a new Christian group on campus.

With Ja Eue’s study program now finished, he and Alison are seeking God’s leading, whether to return to overseas missions or continue working with international students here in Canada. In the meantime, they are discipling the students who have recently accepted Christ.

Regardless of where they end up, the Ja Eues emphasize the importance of prayer: prayer for open eyes to see the opportunities to share the gospel, for grace to communicate clearly, and for the Holy Spirit to move on hearts.

“God is in control and [at Algonquin] He is opening up the floodgates,” says Alison.