Journey to America
Finding His Passion Through the Valley
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The early years of Pastor Paul Huang’s journey in America were excruciating.
Being the head of the household, yet unable to work legally due to his visa at the time not providing any working provision, Pastor Paul Huang was depressed. However, he faithfully took care of two teenage boys while Mei worked at an afterschool to support the family. His sons still recall this period of time as the happiest days of their childhood because of Paul: he played with them and taught them how to be men who love God and their families. It was also during this time that Pastor Paul Huang was equipped for ministry at Harvest Seminary where he received his Masters of Theology,
joined River of Life Christian Church as a minister, and was ordained as a pastor in 2009.
When Paul’s family arrived to the United States in March 2001, Mei was the only one in the family who was allowed to work. She worked in a Christian after-school program, and Paul would drive Mei to work and pick her up each day. He spent time at home taking care of the two boys, who were adjusting to school in the United States.
Paul and Mei attended Mei’s brother’s church, Fountain of Joy Prayer Church in Sunnyvale, for a couple of months.
Paul and Mei joined River of Life Christian Church (ROLCC) in 2003 and made ROLCC their permanent spiritual home.
During the first few years of his journey in the United States, Paul never made the extent of his struggles known to the children. He had expressed some anxiety and sometimes became depressed that he was not able to provide for his family. But to his children, he was always smiling, encouraging, and loving. David and Nick later reflected that this was probably the period of their lives that they spent the most time with their father.
The family still kept up their tradition of going on trips regularly, so that the children could know that there was a world worth exploring. Mei was usually the person who generated the idea of where to go, and Paul would prepare for and round up the children for these trips.
Paul and his family seeing snow for the first time. They were fortunate to have wonderful church brothers and sisters to guide them through this trip and sharing their experiences. Later on, Paul and Mei took their children to visit many other places.