The Salt Company Iowa City LogoIn March, 19 students were sent from The Iowa City Salt Company to Minneapolis for a City Training Trip. While there, students were exposed to various cultures and religions. The day started with a guided tour of a Hindu Temple. Learning about how this religion believes in so many images of gods in order to try to humanly encompass the entirety of God. One god in particular reminded students of the sermon topic that we are going through on Hebrews, because he symbolized that god wants to relate with humans. The truth is that we have a great high priest, Jesus, who is able to sympathize with us in all of our weaknesses because He has been tempted as we are yet without sin (Hebrews 4:16, ESV). After the watching Hindu’s worship in the temple, students went to a Somali Mall. Students were told to go and spend time talking with people about their culture and try some of the food.

IMG_2147Many were able to be there for one of the five daily muslim prayers and used their time there as an opportunity to evangelize. Students also visited a Hmong Market. At the end of the day all of the teams came together to talk about their experience in the city. Many expressed how helpful it was to be able to experience the stress of being in an unfamiliar city and how it affects team dynamics. They also learned how easy it was to beginning conversations with people by being genuinely interested in the people.

Returning to Iowa City, the teams set goals for how they can continue to reach out to international students on campus before going overseas for the summer. The trip also gave students even more of a heart for the nations. As The Salt Company students study through the book of Hebrews, they are eagerly awaiting the return of Jesus and are living their lives on mission for Him.

We are excited to see how God continues to use The Salt Company students to spread His love in this city, this nation, and this world. Currently only 1% of the University of Iowa attend The Salt Company in Iowa City and we want to see God continue to grow His Kingdom.