The story of my parent’s immigration to the US is a bit different from most people’s immigration stories because of how their plans changed into something of a blessing. My parents never planned to live in America for a long period of time, back when they first immigrated to this country in 2004. Initially, they planned on staying here until my dad finished his doctorate degree at Azusa Pacific University. After which, they would have gone back home to South Korea. However, this whole plan changed when they were faced with an opportunity. They later told me that their main deciding factor of staying in America was because they were able to establish a church called, “In Christ Church”. My grandfather gave my father this Bible before he came to America. This Bible was always with him and in times of need, he would open up his Bible and use the word of God as a guideline of how to navigate through almost any situation. Today, almost 18 years later, this Bible is still being used as my father’s bible during his church services. It also reminds me about a time of my parent’s immigration to America, and the choices and struggles they have faced along the way. And how all of which were made based on logic, and little faith in God. Just like how they always have done in the past and moving forward towards the future as plans changed into something of a blessing. 

– Eun Seob Sin

Relationship:  Im/migrant who arrived as a child Im/migrant who arrived as a child