It should be quite a sight! In heaven, we’ll be part of a great multitude that includes “every nation, tribe, people, and language” (Revelation 7:9).

At MLC, we’re so grateful for that holy diversity—and unity—in Christ!

Every November we celebrate International Education Week. It’s a time when our international students celebrate their heritage and share their culture with our whole campus family.

And the rest of the campus family shows them that they’re a valuable part of the campus community. We thought our InFocus readers might want to get to know some of our international students too. This year we have 12 from five different countries: China, Germany, South Korea, Spain, and Vietnam. You can meet a few of them in the next few pages.

Nelly Düll

The United States is a place where I found my second family and where I really get to live out my faith.

Nelly Düll did know about Jesus while growing up in Germany. In fact, she took religious education classes through 12th grade. But she never joined a church.

It was while working as an au pair for the Carswell family in Georgia that she joined a church—their church, Faith Lutheran in Sharpsburg.

The Carswells not only brought Nelly into their church, but they also pointed her to Martin Luther College. “I’d always dreamed of becoming a teacher,” she says, “because of my love for working with children. The Carswells recognized this passion and encouraged me to explore MLC, knowing how important it was for me to share the gospel while teaching.”

Her “second family,” as she calls them, have supported her every step of the way. “Their encouragement was like a guiding light, illuminating my path and playing a significant role in my decision to enroll at MLC.”

Back in Germany, her parents are supportive as well. “They’re unbelievably proud that I go here and support me all the way. My mom is probably my biggest cheerleader at home, always checking in on my progress and encouraging me.”

Nelly is loving her time here at MLC. “The community and learning environment at MLC are awesome,” she says. “I also appreciate that everything we do is centered around Christ and God’s Word.”

As a double major in secondary social studies and English, she’s already excited about her future. “I hope I get to teach many, many beautiful children of God and share with them my excitement for the English language and social studies—and my faith.”

CHAU BANG (LILY) DANG

I want to share Christ’s love with others as my full-time job.

God took the horror of the pandemic and turned it into a life-changing blessing for Chau Bang (Lily) Dang.

While she was at Wisconsin LHS, the pandemic hit. Lily was scared that air travel would be shut down, preventing her from going home. “My nightmare actually came true,” she says. “The border between Vietnam and the United States was closed.”

Fortunately, a family at WISCO took her in. “The Parsleys taught me how to scratch-cook, grow trees, play cards, and how to be a good person. They also took me to church very often, showing me how strong of Christian believers they are.”

That summer she experienced a life-changing blessing: “my baptism—the moment that Pastor Brady Coleman at Siloah Lutheran Church poured the water on my head, indicating that I was officially in God’s family. On July 19, 2020, I became a Christian.”

Lily learned about MLC when she was here for the WELS National Choral Fest in 2021. “I fell in love with it.” Now she’s here, grateful to be surrounded by God’s Word and God’s people. “The people seem friendly and want to build connections as brothers and sisters in Christ,” she says. “Living in a dormitory where everyone believes and trusts in one true God is really cool.”

She’s also excited about a future in the ministry. “It is essential to plant the seed of faith in a child’s mind so that the Holy Spirit can grow the faith in their hearts,” she says. “I want to share Christ’s love with others as my full-time job.”

ZIYAN (ELIJAH) XU

I want to be a good man—improve my English, learn more about American culture, and grow in my faith.

When Ziyan (Elijah) Xu’s mom asked him if he’d like to go to high school in America, he jumped at the chance.

Partly, he admits, it’s because he didn’t enjoy the demanding nature of the Chinese educational system—the endless homework and the high-stakes exams. In American schools, he thought, “there would be less presh.”

Since his grandmother is a Christian, and his uncle, Joshua Yu, is a pastor at St. John-Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, Elijah decided to go to a WELS high school. He spent his first year at Shoreland and then transferred to Luther Prep for the last three.

While at Prep, he took instruction from Pastor James Backus at St. Mark-Watertown, and was baptized and confirmed. “My friends and my uncle all came to my baptism,” he says. “That was a fun day.”

A visit to MLC his senior year confirmed his decision to come here for college. And now he loves it. Professor Paul Huebner’s math class is a favorite, and he likes Biblical History and Literature, which his Chinese/English Bible makes a little easier for him.

His parents are happy he’s here too. They aren’t Christian, but Elijah has hopes. “Like many people in China, they only work,” he says. “They don’t have time to believe and go to church.” But on his last visit there, he did see a Chinese Bible on the couch. His mom said she likes to read it sometimes.

Meanwhile, Elijah wants to make the most of his time here. His goals? “I want to be a good man—improve my English, learn more about American culture, and grow in my faith.”

MAEVA LOPEZ VICENTE

I didn’t want to go to a college without the Word. And I didn’t want to hide the Christian part of me.

When she started at Wisconsin Lutheran High School her junior year, Maeva Lopez Vicente noticed that her friends had something she didn’t.

It became plain when she talked to one about college. “I was so confused and stressed,” she says. “What was my purpose? But my friend was never stressed. ‘Why are you so calm?’ I asked her. She said, ‘I know I have value because I’m a child of God. And I know he has a plan for me.’”

That conversation made quite an impact. And then there was that chapel sermon by Pastor Phil Huebner about the comfort Jesus gives. “That really hit me too,” she says.

Maeva wanted that comfort, that certainty. So she dove deeper into Christianity, singing in choir, taking catechism class, attending church. Eventually she was baptized and confirmed.

Her new thoughts about college pointed in a specific direction. “I didn’t want to go to a college without the Word, because my faith was still young. And I didn’t want to hide the Christian part of me.” She also wanted to sing and to share the Word with others. All signs pointed to MLC.

Now she especially enjoys Biblical History and Literature. “Professor Ross Stelljes is so happy all the time,” she says, “always talking about the Savior and making connections to our lives.” And she loves singing in choir, where “Professor Jon Hermanson has such a big love for Jesus. Sometimes he’ll stop in choir and say, ‘Guys! Listen to what we’re singing. It’s so amazing.’”

As she works toward the teaching ministry, Maeva is taking it all in. “They’re the kind of teacher I want to be.”

WEIHAN (MAGNUS) WANG

God paved my way and planned things out for me. . . . I know I will be okay because God said, “Fear not, for I am with you.”

Like many, Weihan (Magnus) Wang was hit hard by the pandemic. But two things have kept him strong: music and the God who gave him music.

Magnus inherited his love for music from his mom, who got him started on piano lessons at 5. At first, his relationship with the piano was “bittersweet,” he says, but at 12, he really started loving it. That was the year he learned free styling and started a band—a band so talented they made it to Shanghai Disney Land.

Playing wasn’t enough though. Magnus wanted to compose. Using his 61-key MIDI Controller, he’s initiated 350+ projects on music software and released 100+ finished songs on YouTube.

“Songs are archived memories for me,” he says. “Instead of writing love letters or diaries, I put everything in my songs.”

Magnus is grateful to God for the gift of music—and for God’s presence throughout his life. “I heard about Jesus from Pastor Brad Krause at Fox Valley LHS. I feel like I’m forgiven and walking under the sun. God paved my way and planned things out for me. He gave me obstacles and gave me blessings. He blessed me with friendship, hardship, and growth, but he never left me in the cold unattended.

“I know that God is alive and true,” he continues, “and I really don’t know what kind of life I would live without him. I know I will be okay. I will be fine. Because God said, ‘Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.’”

WENDA LIU

Growing up in China, I don’t take Christianity for granted. It is a gift given by God.

It was while Wenda was confined to a hospital bed that he and his family first met Jesus. He was in second grade when a high-grade fever sent him to the hospital. His family didn’t belong to the Christian church, but Christians surrounded them with love. They brought flowers and gifts. They made meals. They held the family’s hands and prayed. The doctors never found the cause of the fever, but after six weeks it simply disappeared.

Wenda says his family was deeply moved by this support, and they accepted the Christians’ invitation to weekly Bible study to learn more about God and his Word. Shortly thereafter, the entire family was baptized.

Wenda later attended Manitowoc LHS, where his teachers and friends encouraged him to consider Martin Luther College. “I am especially thankful for my American family, the Ungemachs, for Mr. Nathan King, and for Professor Tingting Schwartz for encouraging me to go to MLC. They answered every question and doubt I had. They made me feel like I would have a great time at MLC—and I am!”

His family has been supportive as well. “They know they have nothing to worry about,” he says, “because God is guiding every step of my way.”

Being raised in a country where Christianity is repressed, Wenda has a deep appreciation for the faith he’s received. “I don’t take Christianity for granted,” he says. “It is a gift given by God.” He’s also appreciative of the opportunities in America—“especially for Christians to publicly express their beliefs,” he says, “and for students to try different things. And,” he adds, “I appreciate the Christ-oriented education offered here at MLC. It is such a blessing.”