I grew up in a small suburban community in the Silicon Valley. Although it was near San Francisco, my home was in a small city. After high school, I made a big step and moved to Los Angeles for college. It was nothing like my small town home. My school itself was home to thirty-five thousand people. I quickly became homesick and made many trips home to see my family. At the same time, I also began meeting with some Christians who met with the local church. These people were different than most friends whom I met at school who were mainly superficial. These Christians genuinely cared about how I was doing. During my senior year I had an accident and I was rushed to the hospital emergency room. Thank the Lord, a Christian brother was with me when it occurred. As other members of the church found out about my being in the hospital, they came to see how I was doing. Finally, the doctor came to give me my diagnosis and told me that he found an irregularity with my heart and that I might have to be operated on. I will never forget how I felt when I heard the news. My heart sank and I was full of fear. But at that moment the brother who was with me began to comfort me. His being there helped me make it through that trying time.

That is just one of many good experiences that I had while meeting with the church in Los Angeles. During my college years, the members of the local church became like my family away from home. I found a place like home in the big city of Los Angeles. Although I've graduated and move away, I will never forget them.


Geoffrey Choy