KCDA的小天地

By Kent

Last week I got reconnected with old friends through a EFCLA reunion photo on FB. It was wonderful to see some familiar faces after 23 years. They brought back lot of cherished memories.

When my family and I immigrated to the US, I felt like a plant which was uprooted and planted in a strange garden. I'm so thankful for my parents' friends, Melanie & Innie Hua, Sandra Lee, who introduced me to my very first spiritual family. Older brothers and sisters from the college fellowship took turn to give me rides to church every Friday and Sunday - Melanie & Innie Hua, Shawn & Wayne Chang, Sandra Lee, Julie Ma, Hank Lin, Ben Wu, Michelle Wu, Frances Yeh. With their commitment and sacrifice, I was able to connect with new friends and experience God's love.

At EFCLA's David Fellowship, Wendy Su's smile, Scott Wu's music, Leo Hsiao's listening ears helped me go through my lonely years as a 13-year-old immigrant student. My two younger sisters began going to church because of Jenny & Imelda Tan, Peggy Wang and Cindy Wu's friendship.

High school years were quite rough for me. I was relocated to San Gabriel after my freshman year. I was lost. I had an identity crisis. I struggled hard with depression. I had conflict with my father. I was seriously in love with a younger sister at church. I was a quiet, depressed teen. I'm thankful to have a family who accepted me for who I am. Special thanks to Donald Wang, John Yuan, Blanton Keh, Edmund Wang, Wendy Wang, Peggy Wang, Shirley Chiu, Janet Tseng, Nicole Tsai, Scott Wu, Scott Yang who were there for me. When I needed a place to hide from my frustrations, I'm thankful that Chuck Hong, David & Mark Fang, Emily & Shirley Chiu opened their homes for me.

When I needed someone to share my dreams and frustrations, I'm thankful to have 蘇文安, 周宗麟/Edna, Lucy Chao, 陳哥/馬姐, Chuck Hong, Jay Kuo, Evan & Rachel Chen who opened their home and given me counsel. They believed in me and tried to bring out the best in me.

When I had my first girl friend, I disappeared from church for almost a year. I came back to God after my first broke up. Then I had my first distant relationship. That didn't last long either. Later I met someone again. I totally disappeared from my spiritual family without any explanation.

I'd like to apologize to you. That was very selfish of me. I could have shared my struggle with you about my family, God and girls. I could have shared how I was filled with both shame and frustration. Instead, I chose to distant myself from everyone who cared about me. I'm really sorry for hurting your feeling. Please accept my heartfelt apology.

I'd also like to express my gratitude to you. Your love and support invested in me were not in vain. Although my life had broken branches, my root was deep and strong in God because of you. After my prodigal 3.5 years were over, I became a new person in Christ again.

I went back to EFCLA in 1997, reconciled with my family, studied M.Div. at Logos Evangelical Seminary, met my classmate Caroline (who later became my wife), served as a youth pastor in the English ministry for 9 years at EFC and Bread of Life churches. I'm blessed with two beautiful daughters, Darlene (11) & Angeline (8). We have been serving as social workers in North India for the past 7 years.

Thank you, my EFCLA family. Thank you for being there for me. I'm so thankful for having you in my life.

P.S. I'm pretty sure I've forgot a few names. If your name is not included in this blog, I apologize for my poor memory. Nonetheless, my appreciation and apology to you are the same.