One day, when driving to the bay area, my hubby and I began a deep
discussion of what it was like to grow up Christian and the effect it
has had on us then and now. We compared our childhood, our experiences
growing up with very different experiences, and how those times molded
us to the Christians we are today.
I am born into a Christian family. By 1982, my grandparents, my parents, most of my uncles, aunts, and cousins were Christians. I have known no other religion, except for the few times I was exposed when my mom's family and some of my dad's family would hold their shaman gatherings. Growing up, I was always surrounded by church activities, church going people, and my youth memories are filled with events with other fellow youths from other Lao Evangelical Church (LEC) churches. Most Sunday mornings consist of an understanding that I had to get up, get ready and be at church by 9 a.m. Our church had 3 main youth activities during the year (church camp, convention and a sport tournament). There were always little things in between the three events, like leadership, fellowship with other LEC at different cities, and fellowship nights with the youth group. Christmas and New Years Eve were always spent at church. When the weather got warmer, Friday consist of practicing for the sports tournament. Because we had "older" youth members, they planned wonderful fellowships for us to spend time and to grow in our faith together. We were busy with church, but I like to believe that it was something we all looked forward to at the end of the school week.
My husband's story wasn't anything like mine. He doesn't have an extended family, and only his parents and two other siblings (including their family) attend church on a regular basis (from when we first began dating). He shared about his family "not fitting in" at churches they attended and never having the pressure to "have to" attend church. His mom began attending the Salvation Army church, and she would always ask the kids to attend. He did from time to time, but never consistently. He never had the desire to follow Christ. Sure, he prayed, but only when he was struggling.
When we began dating, I took him to Capital Christian Center because at the time, that was where I attended. An English speaking church made it easier for him to begin building his relationship with Christ. He love the Pastor there, and the congregation is welcoming. They have ushers and greeters; something I think he needed. I love the church as well, but deep down it was never "home".
So, after getting married, there was this tug in my heart to return to LEC. Finally in November 2015, I began my first steps at returning back to LEC. At first, it was hard for my husband, but it has definitely gotten easier. He speaks Hmong well enough to get by, but definitely not enough to truly understand and comprehend sermons or hymns. But, Pastor Fred and Rev Wang Lue has been very welcoming to my husband and it puts him at ease to join. The younger fathers in the mens group there also helped a lot with making my husband feel like a part of a congregation. He especially loves the youth group, who he feels he fits in with very well. For my husband, it's relatively new. As for me, I have a history with LEC and grew up knowing the elders and the dynamics of the church. It was much easier for me to walk in and feel welcome. The women group there has been super supportive and very accepting. They welcome me with smiles and warmth. LEC is home.