Embracing my “otherness” in the Evangelical Church
Many international students move to the U.S. to pursue higher education and follow their own American Dreams. I did the same almost 14 years ago to pursue my call into full time ministry. This journey has been multi faceted, as I have not only experienced a culture shock, homesickness and loneliness but also a forced identity as I carried a lot of underrepresented identities in the American Evangelical Church. When I first came at the age of 19, I knew myself as a young girl who was passionately pursuing Christ and on a journey with the Lord, stepping out in faith to follow wherever He lead. The sky was the limit, the world was mine to discover, explore and conquer and America was the best place to do it because I believed it’s where all my dreams would come true. My family sent me with all their hopes, dreams and unconditional love poured into me and with confidence that I was going to change the world. I left hopeful and excited trusting God as I entered the unknown, with full