Hyepin C. Im

At Home in Exile

History & Biography

“Russell Jeung’s book At Home in Exile, at first glance, may be read as a wild adventure tale of ragtag bunch of misfits in exile, whether it be Russell—a descendant of the Hakkas, or the Cambodian refugee grandmother, or the African American gang members who stole his laptop, or the veteran who keeps waiting for his big check—all living in public housing complex. But it is so much more as he weaves the stories of their lives to lift up social injustice, racism, poverty, and obeying Jesus in a delightful storytelling! I was inspired, challenged, and my faith and conscience pricked at times reading Russell's obedience of truly walking amongst and embracing the poor. At the same time, his transparency of his own humanness facing at times the raw reality of humanity and poverty and living in a crime-driven neighborhood makes his faith ever more real. Finally, I was inspired to want to do more as he shares the beauty, joy, life, and hope that can be found even amongst the poor and those in exile and the interconnectedness amongst all of us.”