Matthew, second right and Grace Huang, right, accompanied by their sons, celebrate with Pastor Gregory Waybrightt, left, during a service at Lake Avenue Church on Dec. 7, 2014 in Pasadena, Calif.PASADENA, Calif. – An American couple detained in Qatar before being cleared in the death of their 8-year-old daughter attended a church service in Southern California where worshipers greeted them with a standing ovation.
Matthew and Grace Huang were called to the dais at the Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena shortly after the 9 a.m. service began. The couple stood in front of the congregation hugging their two surviving children amid sustained claps and cheers.
Matthew Huang briefly addressed the parishioners, saying he was thankful to be home and among friends.
“The situation the past two years was extremely difficult,” he said. “It’s taught us a lot about patience.”
The Huangs gained international attention when Qatari authorities arrested them in January 2013 on charges of starving their African-born daughter, Gloria, to death.