December 1, 2004

Greetings!

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my best wishes to you and your family during this holiday season. This is a special time for family and friends as well as a time for reflection. I am grateful to God to be working as a mission co-worker here in Korea.

The following is a list of key events that happened in 2004 in my regular role as a counselor for the survivors of domestic violence.

January—Elder Horace Underwood, third-generation missionary in Korea, passed away. The Underwood family has accomplished remarkable works in Korea not only for Christians but also in the fields of education, medicine, and the improvement in Korea’s economic life.

February—Women Ministers Association winter retreat at Che-Ju Island.

March—Farewell dinner for Mrs. Dorothy Underwood, who returned to her home country, Australia, after her husband died.

April—I attended a meeting of the Pyung Yang Presbytery (which I joined when I came to Korea—my father was a member there) with a group from Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery in New York. The two presbyteries have a partnership, and I happily served as interpreter.

May—Family Day celebrated for youth, young adults, women with children, and others in the shelter. The 50th anniversary celebration of Kei-Myung University, Dae-Ku, founded by a PC(USA) missionary. Will Browne and Insik Kim, Worldwide Ministries staff from Louisville, were invited to attend along with mission co-workers in Korea

June—National Korean Presbyterian Women (NKPW) group tour for continuing education program at Princeton Seminary. I participated in Korean American Christian Retreat at Stony Point, New York.

July—Staff of NKPW had annual spiritual retreat in Yong-In.

August—I participated in the Women Ministers Association's continuing education program in Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne, Australia

September—I participated in the General Assembly of NKPW and the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Korea

October: Farewell dinner for H.H. Underwood, fourth generation of Underwoods who have served over 120 years as missionaries and educators here in Korea

November—I baptized about 3,000 newly recruited soldiers at Yonmudae Church at Nonsan, Korea.

Family

Besides my missionary work, I would like to share with you about my family. My oldest son, Sam, is doing fine as a medical doctor in New Jersey. His wife Jade spends most of her time taking care of their three children, Sofia, Christian, and Reyna.

This year is a challenging one for my second son, David. His son Augustus (Gus) Bae was born on January 3 this year. David and Janine give thanks to God for Gus. David and Janine bought their first co-op in New York and David opened his own architectural office as well.

Joseph is very busy as usual as an investment analyst. He resides in Manhattan with his wife Janice and their son Owen. Owen has just had his second birthday on November 14th. Joe and Janice are expecting their second child in March next year.

The most exiting thing is that my husband KJ has decided to retire, after having worked 32 years in the chemical industry. He worked as a research and development chemist as well as a technical manager in the field of plastic additives in United States. KJ is planning to move back to Korea and to look for a new opportunity. I am so happy for KJ and give thanks to God for his retirement. I trust God will provide a new life for KJ here in Korea.

As we move on to a new year with a new challenge, I wish you and your family happy and safe holidays.

God bless you, your family and your work!

Peace,

Sook Hee Bae

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