Carrie Park strikes a pose with flowers from a farmers market the first week of school. Park and her friends did not let the Coronavirus stop them from keeping up with their traditions. “I couldn’t ask for better people to surround myself with,” Park said. | Submitted photo

Student leader reveals hardships as an independent

Carrie Park, an independent student, finds her home at Bethel University.

By Ariel Dunleavy | Reporter

Carrie Park arrived home after a long morning of work at Caribou to a month’s worth of groceries piled on her desk and a check for $1,800 lying on her bed. A note attached that read “you are so loved, we care about you.” Park has been providing for herself for most of her life. She immigrated from South Korea when she was nine years old, Park and her two siblings moved to Port Washington, Wisconsin. After Park had graduated high school, she got emancipated and has been independent ever since. Park had been struggling financially for the past six months and was desperately hoping God would provide.

A few days prior, Carrie was sitting in the Brushaber Commons trying to sort out tuition, gas and car payments for the month when a friend came up to check on her. Park explained her situation, and was told that God had it under control.

“It was at a time where I was just frustrated.” — Carrie Park, Bethel junior

“It was at a time where I was just frustrated” Carrie said, and this was not the first time.

Carrie Park performing at Outset Apparel’s Worship night. Park sang alongside a fellow vespers leader for a crowd to worship the Lord, and provide advertising for Outset Apparel, while doing what she loved. “I’ve become so much more confident, (because of worship) and fully expressing what God lays on my heart,” Park said. | Submitted photo

On the way to babysitting, she was sobbing in the car for the 15 minute drive, wondering where God was.

“I need you to show up,” Carrie said. “I’m so tired.”

The next day, the groceries and the check were found in her room.

“I can’t receive this,” said Park, and her roommates said, “‘Carrie, you would do the same thing if you were in our spots.’”

“Carrie is one of the most caring and selfless people who embody what it means to love like Jesus” Karly Siedschlag, one of Park’s close friends, said.

These friendships are held close to Carrie’s heart.

“There is just something different about Godly friendships,” Park said. “I don’t know that I would be at Bethel if it weren’t for those people.”