I came to America from Mongolia in 2013 with my five-year-old daughter and three-year-old son. We journeyed here alone as my husband remained in our home country, and our first experiences here were incredibly difficult. I found the United States to be vastly different than Mongolia, and not having friends or knowledge of the area led to many logistical challenges.

I was initially very confused by American culture. In just two months, I had received traffic tickets for not having an EZ pass or understanding seatbelt laws, and I had my car towed. The school counselors were concerned because I allowed my daughter to walk home alone. I broke down in tears often and felt isolated and lonely. I was beginning to think that this wouldn’t be a great place to live or raise my family.

In the midst of all this, I somewhat accidentally stumbled across Harvest Fairfax, where I met Lilia Oberman. Her warm smile instantly made us feel welcomed, and we began developing a friendship. Lilia demonstrated to us Romans 15:7: “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” She became like a grandma for my kids, and was even willing to watch them while I went to work and evening classes. It was through Lilia that we got a true taste of what America had to offer and were encouraged that God had a plan in this.

Our family has since become very involved at Harvest, and I could tell a thousand stories of the kind people here who showed me God’s love and treated us like family as we learned to live abroad. Through all of this, I’ve realized how God remembers us, comforts us, helps us by our prayers, shows us His authority, teaches His Word, and blessed us abundantly in all things and situations. I’m grateful to God for what He’s done for my family, that He directed us to Harvest Fairfax, and for the way He’s brought me closer to Him in our time here.