The Shelton family of Columbus and the de la Cruz family of Starkville have been casting their bread upon the waters, as the saying goes, for decades.

But, really, why should they have all the fun?

In 2000, Loretta Shelton and her husband, Keith, began reaching out to incoming international students at Mississippi University for Women. Over the years, they’ve become almost like surrogate parents for homesick students, many of them thousands of miles away from their own families, who they may not see for months at a time.

In Starkville, Armando and Ruth de la Cruz, themselves once international students studying in the U.S., began serving an annual Thanksgiving feast for Mississippi State’s international students in 1984, an event that grew so quickly that the de la Cruzes enlisted the support of First United Methodist Church. Now the celebration often feeds 300 to 400 Thanksgiving meals to students far away from home.

The Sheltons, meanwhile, greet international students as they arrive at the Golden Triangle Regional Airport and make sure they have the essentials as they begin their studies at the W, always a phone call away should “their kids” need help.

Each in their own way, the Shetons and de la Cruzes have performed acts of kindness that are of incalculable value to these students. College life is, at times, a challenge for all students. The challenges are far more pronounced for international students who are not only met with the challenge of academics, but also finding their way in a new culture, where their native language is not spoken. They are far, far away from the support of family and friends. Few have transportation, so when schools are on break, they are often left alone on empty campuses to fend for themselves. It can be a lonely, lonely time.

A certain amount of maturity is required when a student starts college. For these international students, the amount of maturity, courage and determination needed is multiplied.

To be enveloped in the kindness of strangers during holidays and breaks or perhaps, when they need a little mothering or fathering, may be what keeps many of these students going as they build their young lives.

It is more remarkable, then, to hear the Sheltons and de la Cruzes insist that they have gotten more from these connections than they give. The bonds endure long after the students leave The W or MSU and begin their careers. Some students have stayed in touch through emails, cards and letters for years and years. They are extended family.

The best part of the story is that these joys are something any of us can experience. We encourage you to get in touch with MSU or The W to learn about how to get connected to their international student population and ways to ease their transition and make their lives a bit easier. There is alway something we can do to help, no matter how small it might seem.

You’ll be rewarded with the gift of true gratitude from these exceptional young people that can evolve into relationships that span years, even decades.

Everybody knows the phrase, “Cast your bread upon the water.” But it continues: “For thou shalt find it after many days.”

The Sheltons and de la Cruzes will vouch for that.

The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.

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