When I first came to Bangkok about 2 years ago, one of the most amazing thing was to meet the people here. There's been many special people i've been getting to meet out here, we strike up a relationship so fast and so close that it totally feels like I'm meeting my long lost brothers and sisters. Meeting people with the same heart is totally a God thing.

A few days ago our staff got an email from one of our sisters who was with us in Bangkok, but now is attending college in Boston. She is originally from China, attended her last 2 years of High School at ICS (International High School in Bangkok), during that time she found a home with newsong bangkok. Below is an email that i've gotten permission from her to post on live.newsong

Kylie we miss you very much!

For your reference: 'Farang' means Foreigner in Thai

Hi Newsong,
How are you doing? I hope everything is good in God's hand.
This is Kylie, one of the ordinary Chinese girls who found you in Thailand and had best time of her life with you. I'm guessing you haven't forgotten me yet even though countless people are eager to see you and keep coming to you. I just wanted to get this time of Thanksgiving to thank you and tell you how much I miss you.

Around this time last year, you came to ICS and I found out you had a branch in Silom, in Trinity Complex, two floors above where I lived. I went to Dave's apartment and experienced what Newsong really was for the first time. At that time I thought, "this is cool. I want to come back again." But the next time I went to see Newsong again was much later at Siam, where I thought it was cooler.

However, being away from family and a new believer, I didn't put much trust in a church, which at that time for me was only a place to hang out, like a crowded Starbucks providing free food with live music. Occasionally I went to Siam CupB on Saturday nights, and left right after the music was over.

Without knowing it, I was going to Newsong as a habit since the beginning of this year--it was a must once a week. Not going to Newsong would bother me all the time until the next time i went. Gradually, I would get to Siam earlier than everyone else, looking at people set up stuff, and just be there. But I still left right after services because Newsong just became a crowded Starbucks providing free food with live music plus God's words. After God was done speaking, I was done there. I didn't think God would stay in Starbucks for long.

Given the good timing by God, I had a special opportunity to go to the retreat with you in March. God encouraged me and asked me to take a step forward. In your witness, I got baptized by Abe on the last day of the retreat; and you, became part of my life, my lovely family. Feeling at home, I started talking to my families and realized how amazing the family was. In this family, some came all the way from the other side of the world; some gave up better material lives they could have had, and worked just for you. In this family, everybody has wonderful background and stories to tell; everyone accepts everyone else as who he/she is, and no one would have to hide or cover themselves.
Newsong is a crowded Starbucks providing free food with live music plus God's words to a family.

I started to stay after service almost every week. Just like after having dinner with your family, you probably wouldn't just leave the table; instead, you would stay at the table with your beloved family and spend some more time together. Every week I was waiting for Saturday to come.

Having you as my only family, and best friend, I went to Siam every single week just to see you and be with you; knowing I was leaving, I attended any event, did any stuff I could for you. When the office was opening, I joined the group and painted the walls, even though I didn't do a good job on it. I left some marks on the blue wall on the second wall, only wishing I could have had the whole wall and written whatever I wanted to tell you.

Finally I had to leave Thailand by the end of June, unfortunately not being able to attend NOW on the last day of the month. It hurt so so much for me to leave. As I was taking as many pictures as I could, it was painful to think I had to say goodbye to you. After these 5 months, I still miss you so much that sometimes I wish I have chosen to stay in Thailand.
But you know what? I'm taking you with me wherever I go.

As such a diverse family, you gather us Asians and farangs from all over the world together. Being an Asian, I found it easy for me to be with Newsong; having farangs as sisters and brothers, I didn't have any cultural shock or hard time to be in Boston, a completely different place from where I have lived before. God gave me Newsong to help me with my future, showing not only the different cultures, but also what he wants His children to do. Regardless what jobs the sisters and brothers at Newsong have, or what positions or talents they have, they serve for God by offering what they have. Whether they could do very much for God with what they have, or do very little, they sincerely and humbly work for God. You provided all these images right before my eyes, telling me what the family is doing.
Newsong, you're not an emotional fetter that would stop one from stepping forward in his life. Instead, you're God's tool, you're a vision, a plan, a representative of love. Through you, I understand church is not a building, not just a starbucks. Church is God's family.
I want to thank you for teaching me all these and letting me find you. I thank you for letting me be part of you. Thank you for coming all the way from Thailand, to China, and to Boston, the US.

There's no way I can find a family, a best friend like you in here. Instead of hoping to find something else to replace you, I'm keeping you at heart and pray that one day, people would know about you here.

I miss you Newsong. Very often I get homesick here, which didn't happen to me when I was in Thailand, away from my family in China. I know a lot of times the home I'm homesick for, is you. Although I didn't really try to know you until March, it feels like I've known you for a long long time. I did not tell you, without you, I wouldn't have liked Thailand; without you, I wouldn't have got to know God or grown in Christ better; without you, I wouldn't have known what God wanted me to do. It was only a few months, but you changed my life, Newsong.
After seeing the pictures from Getaway Weekend, I'm thinking all the stuff I've done with you. I wish I could have known you earlier and had more time with you. And I pray for you Newsong, that more people would come to you, and you would teach them just as you taught me. I pray that no matter who comes and goes, you'd stay strong and grow in His hand. I pray God bless you as always.

You're always in my prayer Newsong.
Love you,
Kylie