Newsletter   I   MARCH 2003

THE JOY OF THE SPIRIT Dr. R. A. Torrey was one of the great Bible teachers of a past generation and founder of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles {BIOLA University}. He and Mrs. Torrey went through a time of great heartache when their twelve-year-old daughter was accidentally killed. The funeral was held on a gloomy, miserable, rainy day. They stood around the grave and watched as the body of their little girl was put away. As they turned away, Mrs. Torrey said, "I'm so glad that Elisabeth is with the Lord, and not in that box." But, even knowing this to be true, their hearts were broken. Dr. Torrey said that the next day, as he was walking down the street, the whole thing broke anew- the loneliness of the years ahead without her presence, the heartbreak of an empty house, and all the other implications of her death. He was so burdened by this that he looked to the Lord for help. He said, "And just then, this fountain, the Holy Spirit that I had in my heart, broke forth with such power as I think I had never experienced before, and it was the most joyful moment I had ever known in life! Oh, how wonderful is the joy of the Holy Spirit! It is an unspeakable glorious thing to have your joy not in things about you, not even in your most dearly loved friends, but to have within you a fountain ever springing up, springing up, always springing up three hundred and sixty-five days in every year, springing up under all circumstances unto everlasting life!"                                                                                                --A Treasury of Bible Illustrations

LETTER FROM THE ISF ASSISTANT Dear International Friend, Greetings to you from International Student Fellowship. Once again as we prepare this monthly newsletter in mid-February it is snowing outside. They have predicted that we may get 8-14 inches of snow. Hopefully by the time this reaches you in the beginning of March the sun will be shining and we will have much warmer weather. We appreciated those who came out for the February gathering. In spite of cold weather and predictions of snow we had an enjoyable time with our many friends from 8 different countries. If you have not been out to a gathering in a few months we invite you to attend and represent your country. We cannot help but think of spring weather but for some all the snow we have had this year was quite an experience. Someone who has never experienced snow finds it very beautiful. In many ways the winter weather is a thing of beauty. Just keep telling yourself that spring is just around the corner and you will survive one more winter. We look forward to seeing you at our March ISF gathering at the William Pitt Union. This gathering will be on Friday, March 14th at 7:30 PM in the beautiful Ballroom of the William Pitt Union. The William Pitt Union is located in Oakland on the corner of Bigelow and Fifth Avenue. To get to the Ballroom, use the entrance on Fifth Avenue and then follow the signs At this gathering we hope to focus on the thought of "Spring" and new life. Officially the first day of spring will be March 21st. As always there will be a full course meal for you to enjoy with a challenging lecture. And of course there will be children's activities in the Kurtzman room. So do come and invite your friends. It's all free! We hope to see you on March 14th.                                                                                                       --Terry Tiberio, ISF Assistant