MISO holds Continental Christmas party to celebrate culture and unity with the Gospel

By Sam Sofio

On November 23rd, at 7 p.m., as students entered the doors of Steven’s Student Center’s event room, they were welcomed with hot beverages, international snacks, Christmas trees and Christmas music that permeated the room. 

Cedarville’s Multicultural International Student Organization (MISO) welcomed students from across campus for a memorable “Continental Christmas” celebration. 

MISO is an organization that brings all students together to learn, experience and celebrate all of the God-given diverse cultures that make up Cedarville University. 

To kick off the night’s festivities, nine international students read the Christmas story, Luke 2:1-20, in Spanish, Hindi, Yoruba, Russian, French, Thadou, Arabic, Italian, Japanese and Telugu.

Students enjoyed hot chocolate and chai tea and took their pick of sweets and snacks from Japan, Korea, India, Latin America and Europe. 

Throughout the rest of the night, students danced to international music, decorated Christmas cookies, sang classic carols, played Christmas trivia and heard a personal testimony of why the country of Albania desperately needs to hear the Gospel. 

Freshman Martin Kita from Albania shared how American missionaries went to his Gospel barren country and shared the Gospel with his parents. Both his parents and Kita were saved and now Kita longs for more people to go and “share the Gospel by the power of the Spirit” to his homeland.

The night was a great example of the heartbeat of MISO. 

Born in Ecuador, MISO President and senior Business Management major Joel Farnsworth said, “Coming from Ecuador, it was really nice to connect with other people, share my culture and meet people who want to learn about my culture.”

From in Kolkata, India, junior Marketing major Abigail Francis has found MISO to be an encouragement in her life. 

“Every time I come here, I meet all of my friends from different countries, but not just that, I can bring my American friends as well,” Francis said.

Although MISO has comforted international students, Farnsworth wants all students to feel welcome. MISO celebrates all cultures, including the American culture. 

“God has made each of us unique and special in our own way,” Farnsworth said. “I really enjoyed the Christmas story read in different languages. It shows God’s love for everyone. He sent Jesus for everyone.”

Originating from Kazakhstan, Vera Shegai, junior International Studies and Political Science double major and MISO officer, wanted students to have their eyes opened to see the power the Gospel has to reach and unify all nations, tribes and languages.  

“Though we have so many cultures, the Gospel remains the same across the borders,” Shegai said. 

MISO is a place on campus to witness the unity the Gospel can bring among the nations. 

Shegai hopes students left the Continental Christmas event “with the sense that we are so united in Christ but also carry so much beauty with our cultures.”

Sam Sofio is a sophomore Professional Writing and Information Design major. He enjoys conversations about the love of Christ and aspires to write for a Christian organization.