Hey, IFI friends! 🤗
We hope you’re settling down this holiday season and getting ready for the new year. To wrap up 2024 (pun intended), we brought a heartfelt, reflective article from one of our beloved IFI staff members, Mary Kim! Mary works as the Ministry Coordinator at IFI NYC and has a beautiful, multicultural background– we hope you learn something from this piece and leave feeling encouraged! ✨
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There’s something magical about the holidays in New York City. The lights twinkle a little brighter, the air feels crisp, and the world seems to slow down just enough for me to reflect on how far I’ve come. Funny thing is, I’ve been here before. Not just on a visit or as a tourist, but as someone who once stood on these very streets, an international student trying to make sense of everything. Fast forward years later, and here I am again—not as a student this time, but as a ministry coordinator.
I came to the U.S. all the way from Korea, with dreams bigger than my suitcase and a mind full of “what ifs.” From studying in France to China and now, back in the city that never sleeps, I sometimes wonder how I made it through the valleys. There were nights when I felt so out of place, unsure of my identity, my purpose, my next step. But what I didn’t know back then was that God was walking with me, even when I felt utterly alone.
Let’s talk about the little things. Like walking down a busy street in Manhattan, surrounded by a chorus of languages, and not hearing a single word in English. The sound of Mandarin, Spanish, and even Korean fills the air, and for a moment, I’m not in a foreign land—I’m home. It’s a beautiful feeling to know that even though I’m far from Korea, God has planted a sense of belonging in my heart. Every corner, every café, every car ride feels like a reminder that He’s been faithful in bringing me back to this city—not as a student, but as a part of a greater plan.
I’m a little bit of everything now. Korean by blood, international by experience, and a child of God by grace. I’ve learned to embrace the chaos, the hustle, and even the loneliness that sometimes creeps in. The beauty of being here, though, is that no matter how many times I’ve felt lost in the crowd, I’ve never really been lost. He’s been guiding me all along. It’s like when you’re walking down the street, feeling the holiday spirit, and you realize you’re not just walking to get somewhere—you’re walking *with* Him.
Of course, the holiday season isn’t all cozy vibes and hot chocolate. It’s also filled with moments of confusion, a bit of homesickness, and the occasional “What am I doing here?” But that’s the beauty of it—those moments are the ones that bring me closer to Him. I may not have it all figured out, but I know one thing for sure: His faithfulness is the thread that ties all these chapters of my life together. From the bustling streets of China to the cozy cafés of Paris, He was there. And now, as I continue my journey here in NYC, I see the ways He’s been shaping me, not just for this moment, but for the future.
This city can be overwhelming, no doubt. But as I walk through it, I’m reminded that I am home. Home isn’t just a place, a language, or even a holiday gathering. Home is where God is, and He’s always with me, whether I’m surrounded by friends or standing alone at the corner of 42nd Street, taking in the holiday lights.
As the holiday season wraps us in its warm embrace, I find myself filled with gratitude. Grateful for the valleys that taught me to trust, for the highs that reminded me of His goodness, and for the chance to now give back through ministry in this city that has become so much more than a backdrop to my story.
So, to all the international students out there, whether you’re in NYC or somewhere else, struggling with loneliness or finding joy in the little things—remember this: You’re not home alone. God is with you, every step of the way. And even in the hardest times, when the world feels overwhelming, He’s got a way of making sure you find your way back, whether through a familiar face or a quiet whisper in your heart.
Here’s to the holiday season, to the journey, and to knowing that no matter where life takes us, we’re never too far from home.
“Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations” Psalm 90:1
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