30-Days of Prayer for Myrtle Beach Exchange Visitors

Mike and Kathy Winfree work in partnership with the City of Myrtle Beach and the Chamber of Commerce to provide support to the J1 community in a variety of ways!  They are the “first line of defense” for student issues and problems.  Is your employer withholding your paycheck?  Call Mike and Kathy.  Is your housing overrun by cockroaches? Call Mike and Kathy.  Are your roommates being nasty with you and you don’t know how to handle it?  Call Mike and Kathy!   Pray for energy and stamina, as it is a big job and they are pretty much on call all summer long!  They love Jesus with their whole hearts and share that love with each student they interact with, through their actions, words or prayers!

Ministry to J1 students is a huge opportunity, that is really only possible through the many volunteers who take time out of their summer schedules to be present to students.  The ministry varies from greeting new arrivals at the airport to driving students to work in the rain, to helping students navigate social security applications!  Pray for blessings on these volunteers- that God would multiply their time and give them rest in the midst of  the busy season!  That they would have opportunities to share the love of Christ in significant ways, and they would be fulfilled in the work! Pray for the influence for all the volunteers, that our actions and words would be a demonstration of God’s lovingkindness, not just with the international students but to local entities (police, chamber of commerce, landlords, employers, airport workers, and sponsors).   “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. ” 2Corinthians 5:20 

Pray also for unity and understanding among all the ANC volunteers. We are coming from many different denominations and organizations—in itself a testimony of God’s plan of diversity! “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. Is Christ divided?” 1 Corinthians 1:10, 13a

The J1 International exchange program is not cheap!  Students have to pay sponsor companies, buy flights, pay for housing and other living expenses, and also hope to travel at the end of their “work and travel program.”  Many have to get second jobs in order to make enough money to pay for it all!  Before Covid slowed the tourist industry in Myrtle Beach, second jobs were easy to come by and they worked full schedules at their first jobs!  But now, with the slowing of the economy, students often only get the minimum numbers of hours guaranteed in their contracts, and struggle to find second jobs.  Pray for wisdom for students, that they would know when and where to apply for jobs.  Pray that they would be wise with their finances and how they plan their travel at the end of the season.  Pray that students would be able to pay off any debts they incurred in trying to get here for the summer

Exchange visitors don’t always get to pick their roommates.  They come from a vast array of cultural backgrounds and expectations.  Many who come from wealthy families grew up with “house help” that did all the cleaning and cooking and never learned those skills!  Pray for roommates to be willing to learn from each other, have patience, and be willing to do their part to contribute to the household!  Pray for cultures to connect, learn and grow together in this cultural exchange program.  

Conflict with employers or managers is another issue we hear about throughout the summer.  Sometimes totally justified, and sometimes as a result of students not being very good employees! (at times, this is their first time ever having to work!) Pray for humble hearts on both sides, and for the J1 students to grow in their ability to work with people they might not get along with!  Pray for managers to have patience with employers who are learning new skills and how to navigate communicating in English in the work setting. Pray for wisdom for volunteers as they listen to complaints to discern how to help, when to share words of correction amidst words of encouragement!

For the next few days, we will focus on some of the primary issues we hear about from students as the summer goes on- first up- corrupt landlords. Housing and issues with landlords/property managers is one of the primary ways we see exchange visitors exploited each summer.  Overcrowding, over-charging, unsanitary/unsafe conditions, and withholding deposits without cause are common themes.  While there are systems in place to try and keep landlords accountable, often students don’t know they can, or are afraid to report these issues.  Sometimes the issues are even more severe, as there are those who exploit in more serious ways, including bullying, threatening deportation(though they don’t actually have the power to do that!), and in some cases even physical violence or propositioning them for sexual favors.  Please pray for students to speak up to the right people who can help them, for authorities to take action, and for hearts to be turned toward Christ!

Many J1 workers are employed as housekeepers in the local hotels and resorts.  Cleaning and resetting rooms is hard work!  Oftentimes, J1 students are the top of their class at their universities, so spending the summer making beds and cleaning toilets might not be the most fulfilling work for them!  Pray for these students to feel a sense of satisfaction in a job well done, and that they would make good friendships with their co-workers who they spend a lot of time with!  

Lifeguards provide an important service to the community. They receive special training and work LONG hours in the heat and sun! Pray for safety and health for these young people who serve our community in such a vital role. Pray that in the midst of their full work schedules and long days, they would have the opportunity to encounter Jesus.

Day 16- For the next few days, we will focus on the primary types of employment the J1 Students have and specific concerns for those fields. First up- Tourist Attractions– Places like water parks, go kart tracks and Broadway at the Beach rely on international students to fill their employment rosters each summer.  Long hours, oftentimes in the heat, dealing with (not always pleasant) tourists can make for a tough working environment! Pray for these students to have fun at their jobs, even if the conditions aren’t always ideal. Pray that they have opportunities to work with believers who represent Jesus well.  Fir

Day 17- Restaurants– Jobs as servers in restaurants are coveted among J1s because of the potential for tips.  But the hours are sometimes inconsistent and tips are not guaranteed.  Pray for students to receive fair compensation for their work as servers, busboys and dishwashers! If you live in the area, (or any other major tourist location) when you go out to eat this summer, pay attention and ask questions if your servers appear to be college aged and from another country! They could be an Exchange Visitor! Use the opportunity to shine the light of Jesus to them (and leave a good tip! 🙂 )

The All Nations Cafe team puts on a big “Christmas in July” event every summer as an outreach event.  Students are excited about the chance to experience an “American Christmas” and have a great time!  The ANC team uses this as an opportunity to explicitly share the gospel in a large group setting with the students, creating a meaningful experience as well as sharing the true meaning of Christmas.  Pray that this would be more than just a fun experience for them, but a revelation of Christ’s love for them!  Pray that this event would lead students to ask more questions about Jesus and what it means to believe in Him.