CHAPTER 4

Journey Towards Christianity: Pandemic and Unexpected Hospitality

The world seemed to come to a standstill when the pandemic hit. The familiar rhythms of life—school, friends, routines—were abruptly interrupted, leaving everyone in a state of uncertainty and fear. For me, the disruption was especially profound. My boarding school in California announced its closure, and with it, the dormitory that had been my home was suddenly off-limits. I found myself at a crossroads, with no clear path forward and no place to go.

In those uncertain days, I experienced a sense of dislocation that went beyond the physical. It was as if the ground beneath my feet had shifted, leaving me unmoored in a world that no longer made sense. My parents, still in China, were just as bewildered by the situation. We were all struggling to navigate this new reality, where distance and time zones only compounded the sense of isolation.

It was in this moment of vulnerability that a classmate’s family extended an unexpected offer: to come and stay with them for as long as I needed. They were a Christian family, deeply rooted in their faith, and their home was a place of warmth and welcome. At first, I was hesitant. My experiences with religion up to that point had been limited, shaped more by cultural context than personal belief. But with few other options available, I accepted their offer, grateful for the kindness they had shown.

What I encountered in their home was unlike anything I had experienced before. From the moment I stepped through their door, I was enveloped in a sense of peace and stability that stood in stark contrast to the chaos outside. The world was in turmoil, but within those walls, there was a different kind of order—one that was grounded not in control or rigidity, but in love and faith.

I quickly noticed that this family approached life with a quiet confidence that was both intriguing and inspiring. They prayed together before meals, their voices lifting in unison as they expressed gratitude for the food on the table, for each other, and for the day that had been given to them. There was a sense of intentionality in everything they did, from the way they spoke to one another to the way they resolved conflicts. It was clear that their faith wasn’t just a part of their lives—it was the foundation upon which everything else was built.

In the evenings, as we gathered around the dinner table, I listened to their conversations with a mix of curiosity and awe. They spoke openly about their faith, about the challenges they faced and the ways in which they believed God was guiding them through this difficult time. There was no pretense, no attempt to present themselves as perfect or infallible. Instead, they were honest about their struggles, and in that honesty, I found something deeply moving.

One night, as the pandemic stretched on and uncertainty loomed large, I found myself sitting with the father of the family after dinner. The others had gone to bed, leaving just the two of us in the soft glow of the kitchen light. He noticed my silence and asked, “What’s on your mind, Jacob?”

I hesitated, unsure how to articulate the questions swirling in my head. “I’ve been thinking a lot about how you all seem so…calm,” I finally said. “Like you’re not afraid of what’s happening.”

He smiled, a gentle, knowing smile that carried the weight of experience. “It’s not that we’re not afraid,” he replied. “We’re human, just like anyone else. But we trust that God has a plan, even if we don’t understand it right now. Our faith gives us the strength to face uncertainty without being overwhelmed by it.”

His words struck a chord deep within me. I had always equated strength with control—with the ability to manage situations, to steer them in the direction I wanted. But here was a different kind of strength, one that didn’t rely on control but on surrender. It was a strength that came from trusting in something greater than oneself, from believing that there was a purpose to the struggles we faced.

As the weeks turned into months, I continued to live with this family, and in that time, I witnessed countless acts of kindness, both large and small. I saw how they cared for their neighbors, offering help to those who were struggling, whether it was running errands for an elderly couple or sharing meals with those who had fallen on hard times. Their faith was not just a belief—it was a way of life, one that centered on service, compassion, and love.

What struck me most was the way they handled conflict. In my own home, arguments had often been loud and unresolved, a clash of wills that left everyone feeling more isolated than before. But here, disagreements were approached with a spirit of understanding and reconciliation. Instead of shouting or blaming, they listened to one another, shared their feelings, and sought to find common ground. It was a way of resolving conflict that was both foreign and deeply appealing to me.

In those moments, I began to see the transformative power of faith—not just in how it shaped their actions, but in how it shaped their hearts. Christianity, I realized, wasn’t just about following a set of rules or attending church on Sundays. It was about becoming a different kind of person—one who is more compassionate, more empathetic, and more connected to others. It was about living in a way that reflected the love and grace that God had shown to them.

This realization was the beginning of a journey for me—a journey that would continue long after I left their home. As I returned to my own life, I found myself thinking more and more about the things I had seen and experienced during those months. The way they lived their faith had left a lasting impression on me, one that I couldn’t easily shake.

When I started college, I decided to explore Christianity more deeply. I attended church services, joined a Bible study group, and began to read the Scriptures with a new sense of purpose. The more I learned, the more I realized that faith wasn’t just about understanding; it was about transformation. It was about allowing God to work in my life, to shape me into the person He intended me to be.

As I continued on this spiritual journey, I found that the values I had seen in that family—service, kindness, and gratitude—began to take root in my own life. I started to see my relationships with others differently, approaching them with more empathy and understanding. I became more intentional in my actions, seeking to live in a way that reflected the love and grace that I had come to know.

One of the most profound lessons I learned during this time was the importance of community. The family that had taken me in during the pandemic had shown me the power of living in a community of faith, where people support and uplift one another, where conflicts are resolved with love, and where everyone is welcomed with open arms. This sense of community became a cornerstone of my own spiritual life, one that I sought to build and nurture wherever I went.

Looking back, I realize that the pandemic, for all its challenges, was a catalyst for one of the most important transformations of my life. It was during those months of uncertainty and fear that I discovered the peace and strength that come from faith. It was in the home of that Christian family that I saw a different way to live—a way that was rooted in love, in service, and in the belief that God is present in all things, guiding us even when the path is unclear.

My journey towards Christianity wasn’t a dramatic conversion; it was a gradual awakening, a series of small steps that led me to a deeper understanding of what it means to live a life of faith. It was about finding a new way to see the world, one that is infused with grace and purpose. And as I continue on this journey, I am constantly reminded of the lessons I learned during those months—the importance of humility, the power of compassion, and the incredible gift of community.

These are the values that now guide my life, both personally and professionally. They are the principles that inform the way I approach challenges, the way I interact with others, and the way I strive to live each day with intention and gratitude. I am forever grateful for the serendipitous encounters that led me to this path, and for the unexpected hospitality that opened my heart to a new way of being.

My journey towards faith is ongoing, and I know there is still much to learn and understand. But what I do know is that Christianity has given me a foundation upon which to build a life that is meaningful, purposeful, and aligned with the values that I hold dear. It has shown me that there is beauty in surrender, strength in humility, and peace in knowing that we are never truly alone.