| December 29, 2003
Sisters and brothers, I greet you in the name and spirit of our
Lord.
We have only two days left for the year 2003. Before I face the
new year, I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to you
for what you have done throughout the year. I am grateful to God
and God’s blessing to me. With your prayers, loving support,
and God’s grace, I could accomplish my work successfully
for women’s ministry in Korea. I had many meaningful times
this year for my ministry and my personal life. I began my work
as a mission co-worker in Korea in 2000 and completed my first
three-year term this year. After my first term, I returned to
the United States for my “interpretation assignment”
and visited many Presbyterian churches. Beside the church visits,
I was the guest speaker for the NKPW gatherings in the Synod of
South Atlantic and the Synod of Living Waters. I also attended
the NKPC General Assembly gathering, which celebrated the centennial
of Korean immigration in Hawaii, the PC(USA) Worldwide Presbyterian
Women’s Gathering, and the missionary sharing conference.
This fall (2003), I came back to Korea to start second term of
mission work with the PC(USA).
I worked closely with the representatives from Cayuga-Syracuse
Presbytery, who came to Korea to relate to Pyung-Yang Presbytery.
I am still busy working with the battered women who stay in the
shelter and the runaway girls who struggle for their lives. Through
their situation I have experienced feelings of limitation and
weakness from time to time. Even though I am in the midst of a
down mood, I don’t fail. I decided as a mission co-worker
to be a role model and practice always joy, continued prayers,
and thanksgiving in all circumstances. At this time of the year,
I recall the blessings that I have received. I just felt God’s
overwhelming grace. God was so good to me.
I am working for Good News Shelter of the Women Ministers Association.
I am especially pleased that the Good News Shelter was selected
as one of the 2003 Birthday Offering recipients, which means the
shelter received a generous grant from the PC(USA)’s Presbyterian
Women. I am very grateful to God for the staff of Presbyterian
Women and many other people who helped make it happen.
Another unforgettable occasion this year was participating in
the baptism of newly recruited soldiers. The baptism ceremony
was held at Yan Mu Dae church, located at the Non San Army Training
Center. Ten clergywomen of the Presbyterian Church of Korea were
among the 30 ministers who did the baptism ceremony. When we arrived,
Yan Mu Dae church was filled with soldiers—2,367 soldiers,
in fact, and they were all baptized in this special service. The
Holy Spirit filled the church, touching the soldiers as well as
the ministers who participated in their baptism.
While I worked in Korea as a mission co-worker, God blessed my
family very much. My husband, Elder Bae, celebrated his 60th birthday
on January 12, 2003. My three sons’ families are not only
blessed but also they dedicated themselves to church activities.
Sam and Jade moved to their beautiful new house and their third
child Reyna was born on June 22, 2003. David and Janine are expecting
their first child in January 2004 and David just started his own
business as an architect. Joe and Janice also moved to their new
house in Manhattan, New York, and we celebrated their son Owen’s
first birthday on November 14, 2003.
What a blessing! I praise the Lord. I feel overwhelmed with thanksgiving
to our Lord who poured my cup, which overflows.
Best wishes for a happy New Year.
In Christ,
Sook Hee Bae
Presbyterian Mission Co-worker in Korea
The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
89
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