News by Carolyn Stent "When my dad saw Multnomah, he said, 'This school is for Abane.'"

Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous News | Send mail to The Voice Word about Multnomah spreads around the world When they arrived at Multnomah, Natsumi Nakazato and Abane Dozo quickly developed a close friendship. -Daniel Stent, photo Although Multnomah Biblical Seminary does not recruit in foreign countries, the number of international students enrolling in the seminary has grown. This year, 19 people holding student visas enrolled in the seminary's graduate certificate and in the master's programs. They represent Japan, India, Canada, Uganda, Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan and the Netherlands. Most of them heard about the seminary from friends or family members. Natsumi Nakazato is one of seven Japanese students in the seminary. She had not planned to attend a seminary in the United States. After she earned a law degree, Nakazato returned to Okinawa, Japan, to live with her parents and save for graduate school later on. However, her job helping high school students prepare for university entrance exams consumed all her time. She stopped attending church and became physically and spiritually worn out. One night in January, she surrendered to God her dream for graduate school and a career in law. "Later I learned that total freedom comes from total submission," Nakazato said. Nakazato decided to look for a seminary in Australia because of its hot climate and because of its lower education costs. But then she heard about Multnomah from a friend who had lived in Beaverton, Ore., for five years while her husband pastored a Japanese church. Nakazato decided to apply to Multnomah. When she returns to Japan, she hopes to help meet churches' needs for Christian education and a strong Scriptural foundation. Stephen Ajoo, 45, first heard about Multnomah from his brother-in-law, MBC alumnus Prem Kumar Reginald. Ajoo came from Chennai (formerly Madras), India. He arrived in Portland, Ore., for a pastor's conference in November, 1999. He applied to MBS for the 2000 fall semester. Ajoo had worked first as a pastor in Calcutta and then at the Evangelical Church of India's denominational offices in Chennai. His wife, Malini, and their three children remain there. Ajoo is studying family ministries in order to help churches in India cope with family issues. He also hopes to start children's homes. Abane Dozo, another Indian student in the seminary, heard about Multnomah from her parents. They had come from their home in Nagaland, India, to visit Portland last year. "The moment my Dad saw Multnomah, he said, 'This school is for Abane.' " Although she had planned to attend a Bible college in Singapore, Dozo applied to MBS. While in New Delhi, India, she received her international student paperwork from Multnomah. Her father urged her to apply immediately for a visa. She waited in a long line at the U.S. Consulate and watched officials deny visas to several people in front of her. She thought of the important financial paperwork she might need, which was in Nagaland with her parents. She prayed and read her Bible as she waited and remembered that God was in control. When her turn came, an official asked Dozo why she wanted to go to the United States. Dozo said she was burdened for her own people. The official asked about Dozo's plans again because "she wanted to find out if I was coming back [to India]," Dozo said. The official approved Dozo's request for a visa. "What a great opportunity God has given me to come here and learn more about Him and study His word," Dozo said. When she returns to India, Dozo hopes to help her father, who is field director for Overseas Crusade International, start a school for missionary children in Nagaland. Ajoo works in the cafeteria and the library at Multnomah. -Daniel Stent, photo Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous News | Top Of Page Send mail to The Voice| Journalism department website © 2002 The Voice. No part of this publication may be reproduced in written or electronic form without prior written consent from the journalism adviser of Multnomah Bible College. All rights reserved.