November 8, 2004

Greetings from Korea!

More than four years have passed since I was appointed as a mission co-worker and moved in Korea. It is near Thanksgiving season, and all the leaves have turned into beautiful colors. I give thanks to God for the privilege of serving people in need here in Korea. I’d like to express my appreciation to the PC(USA) for the chance to serve as a mission co-worker.

Korea has currently many political and economic issues as well as social ones. It is facing the threat of attack by nuclear weapons from North Korea. Domestically, the Korean economy is not growing as expected, which causes many social problems. The uncertainty of the Korean economy and the high price of oil makes many middle class people feel vulnerable. Financial difficulties often lead to family problems, such as domestic violence.

I am glad to report good news about the “Good News Shelter.” The Women Ministers Association (WMA), which runs the Good News Shelter, has been struggling with a building in such poor condition that it’s insufficient to accommodate the victims of domestic violence. It leaks when rain comes, the electrical system is not safe, and there are unhygienic conditions in the kitchen. The WMA has been trying to renovate the shelter but they didn’t have the financial resources to do so. I have been praying continuously with the WMA members that funds be found to repair the building.

The renovation process encountered no difficulties, and I am so glad to report to you that the renovation is completed! I would like to give thanks and glory to God, who granted an opportunity to WMA to carry out its ministry for women who are suffering and alienated from Korean society.

In addition to my duties with the WMA, by the way, I also have been serving since 2002 with the National Korean Presbyterian Women (NKPW). I work on international issues and as a interpreter for foreign visitors and others.

Last year I had the privilege, with other ministers of baptizing 3,000 soldiers. It was quite an exciting experience to baptize so many young soldiers. This year the Republic of Korea’s army chaplains again invited over 30 ministers to baptize newly recruited soldiers. This is now an annual event for NKPW, and so I had my second opportunity to baptize 3,500 Korean soldiers.

I am planning to go be in the United States from August 15 to October 15, 2005, on interpretation Assignment. I would like to visit as many churches as I can during this short period and would be honored to have the privilege of sharing my experience of doing ministry with women in Korea with you.

Except for the last two last Sundays of September, my schedule is completely open. I deeply appreciate all your support and care even though I haven’t been able to write individual thank-you letters. My last newsletter was last Christmas. If by chance you haven’t read that, it is available on the Web page that the Worldwide Ministries Division keeps for me at: www.pcusa.org/missionconnections/profiles/baes.htm.

My home base in the United States is:

1 Beehive Lane
Flemington, NJ 08822
(908) 237-2739
shbpcusa@hanmail.net or shbpcusa@yahoo.com

Thank you and God bless

Sook Hee Bae
Presbyterian Mission Co-worker in Korea

The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 89