Blog
Gaining a Son, Transforming a Family:
Hosting International Students at NPC
When Chinese international student Bruce Lyu came to live with the Bradleys, an NPC family, they had no idea the powerful experience that was in store for them.
They knew students needed homes, they knew that it would be good for their family, and they knew the Lord was asking them to be open to His plan. They could never have anticipated how it would stretch their family, both literally and figuratively in beautiful, life-changing ways.
“I was cleaning my kitchen one day,” Amy Bradley says, “and the idea [of hosting an exchange student] popped into my head. I thought – where did this idea come from?” As she mulled it over, Amy sensed it was the Holy Spirit’s leading and brought it up to her husband, Doug. They talked and prayed and decided to “sit on the idea a bit,” without telling anyone else about it.
A “chance” suggestion from their high school son about a student needing a host family answered their clear prayer for God’s leading and, before they knew it, the Bradleys were welcoming students into their lives and home.
This journey eventually led them to hosting Bruce Lyu, a Chinese exchange student who came to them as a junior in high school.
“When I first got to the Bradleys, I didn’t know anyone. But everyone was so friendly – they told me where things were and what to do. I just felt included right away,” Bruce said. The six Bradley kids ranged in age at that time from 10 to 20 years old, and they enveloped Bruce as a member of the family.
From the start, Bruce was a part of the daily life of the family, helping where he needed to and becoming another brother. “When they put my name on the chore list,” Bruce said, “I thought – I have responsibility here. I am acknowledged. They made me feel truly like a family member.”
Bruce dove in head first to life at the Bradleys and also life at NorthPointe. He joined Chorale and got to know students from all walks of life. “Bruce has got a huge heart,” Amy said, “He’s very kind and loving.
As he got more involved at NorthPointe, Bruce began to learn about God and explore faith. On a chorale trip to Belize, he said, “That’s when it all clicked. A lot of the people we met showed me what positivity and gratitude was when they had nothing. I was full of discontent. That’s when I realized how much people love Jesus and how much they only need Jesus. After that trip I was ready to say “I’m accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior.”
Bruce graduated from NorthPointe and went on to college, then grad school. He is planning to get married this May. Even after graduation, he kept closely linked to the Bradleys. Bruce shares that one of his host brothers, Sam, is his best friend. “He’s going to be the best man in my wedding,” he says.
In reflecting on the benefits and joys of hosting, Amy says, “I think it makes life richer to experience other people. You can’t always travel somewhere. But even when you do, you’re just catching a glimpse of the culture. But [when you host someone] you’re actually meeting a person and getting to know them. God has created all these people on this great big globe. There are differences in our cultures – yes – but there’s humanness that we have in common.”
For Bruce, living with the Bradleys and attending NorthPointe has changed the trajectory of his life. As he looks ahead to his life as a follower of Jesus and husband, he says, ”I consider how the Bradleys raise their kids – the “right way.” I know it will look different in my family. I can’t do exactly what they do, but I want to have their mindset – that’s the key.”
Learn more about our International Student Program and what makes NPC stand out!
