Alice Wu

Alice P. Wu -- aka Awie, Al

Occupation:  "Associate" for Applied Development Economics
B.A., English, UC Berkeley; M.A., Urban Planning, UC Berkeley
Soon to be married to Cameron Cardona on July 18, 1998
Childhood friend from church

Alice was my best friend growing up, beginning around the 5th grade and continuing throughout high school.  Alice lived far away from me (for a kid, Orange County WAS far from LA), so our friendship was built through times spent together at church at EFC-LA.  When her family left to found EFC-OC in 7th grade, we bridged the distance through letters, a few overnight visits, VBS/music camps, summer Music Ministry tours, and church retreats where we would always somehow manage to be roommates even if it took some switching around!

Perhaps more than anyone else, Alice has helped shape my Christian walk.  We began our spiritual journies together in the 6th grade, passionate and hungry for Christ.  I well remember one VBS when we, as 6th graders, asked our teachers if they could skip "crafts time" to do more bible study.  (Our request was denied because the other students objected.)

Alice is the one who gave me the bible (and bible cover) that I have used since junior high.  Though its pages are tattered and it has completely fallen out of its binding, I stubbornly continue to use it because its familiarity reminds me of my heritage in Christ.  (Sounil recently gave me the priceless gift of having my bible rebound so that I can continue to use it for many more years.)  Alice is also the one who first introduced me to Christian music, giving me a tape of Amy Grant and worship songs when I turned 13.  What an impact that one act has made in my life!

Alice also challenged me to think deeper about God than I ever had.  By nature, Alice is a deep thinker who, even at age 13, wrote allegories and poems to God and journalled regularly.  She taught me to meditate on His Word, to really drink in its meaning, to be obedient to Christ.  She also possesses great compassion for people which has helped to balance me when I've become too principle-driven.  Even now, her life is a testimony of her faith as she lives with and ministers to Cambodian refugees in inner-city Oakland, even turning down a Ph.D. candidacy to remain there.

Thank you, Alice, for your friendship over all these many years.  Neither of us could have ever anticipated all that God intended for our friendship when we first played freeze tag and charades together so long ago.  Praise God!