Greetings,

Thank you all for having me here. I am delighted to have been asked to represent the students of Friendship House for giving testimonies, and I am pleased to be here to meet all of you.

First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to our board members, donors, pastors, teachers, and friends. I also extend my thanks to Dan and Jinsook for their enormous coordination and tremendous kindness as the executive director of the Friendship House who engage with students daily – especially me, who has many needs – please do not kick me out.

In the beginning, I had searched for English classes – I am sure everybody did too, and it turned out that what I found was more than just English classes. Besides English grammar and conversation classes, I attend bible classes that are genuinely eye-opening for me to hear words from God, and I am very thankful for that since I never had a bible class. I also have improved my English conversation skill through my conversation partner, Julia Seeley. She is very lovely and supportively helps me in any way. I am very grateful that I have friends worldwide because not everyone can have that opportunity!

1 John 4:7 “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God”. This passage reminds me of Friendship House a lot on how everybody has been beckoning me with warmth and so much love. For me, friendship house is not just English courses; it is more than just an education and community. It is like a family that loves you, helps you, and supports you no matter who you are or where you are from. And that inspires me to do the same thing to others unconditionally, and I hope other students do too.

Finally, let me tell you quotes from Charles Kuralt and Elbert Hubbard, “The love of family and the admiration of friends is much important than wealth and privilege.” and “Love grows by giving. The love we give away is the only love we keep. The only way to retain love is to give it away.” For the Friendship House, please continue to give love to us international students!

About the author:

Stefanie majored in Medical degree in her country, Indonesia. She previously worked as a teacher assistant in Anatomy Department in her university, and she also spent her time doing health volunteer in several places. She followed her husband, who is now doing a fellowship in Kansas City, and she has been attending friendship house for one year to make friends and improve her English communication skills.