Vinicius came to the U.S. for school and soccer, but he wouldn’t have stayed without a friend.
Vinicius came to the United States from Brazil in 2017 in order to follow both his passions: to study and to play soccer. When he arrived, he attended a meeting for new international students.
“I decided to get involved with IFI because the volunteers seemed to be good people, willing to help. It’s good to have a helping hand when everything is new and you are out of your comfort zone,” said Vinicius.
At the meeting Vinicius met Jim, an IFI staff. As they walked down the stairs toward the cafeteria together, Vinicius asked, “Do you think someone could take me to church while I am here?” So began their friendship.
The two friends spent much time together sharing meals, soccer games and discussing their philosophies of God.
“It’s good to have a helping hand when everything is new and you are out of your comfort zone.”
When asked how his relationship with IFI changed his experience in the U.S., Vinicius said:
“Probably, if I didn’t have a friendship like I have with Jim and IFI, I would give up on staying in America to finish my studies. Sometimes things get tough and you need someone to lean on; Jim has been this person to me.”
