August 30, 2004
Dear Friends,
As you already know, we will be doing mission interpretation
in the States from the beginning of October to the end of March,
2005. The dates to visit churches to give our mission report are
filling up, but some supporting churches still have not requested
a time. So, please let us know when you desire for us to visit
your church. Our email address is choon49@ms34.hinet.net.
Before reporting on our mission work in Hualien, I’d like
to extend my personal thanks to those who sent us emails and prayed
for my unthinkable meeting with my half brothers and sisters in
North Korea. Since so many people requested a report on my trip,
I am using this mission report as a means to tell you. My time
in North Korea was filled with emotion because after over half
a century I could visit and see my family, my relatives, and my
birthplace. Furthermore, because no communication was allowed
between North and South Korea, I learned that my father lived
until 1992. My father had remarried and has five children there.
I mentioned a youngest uncle in my last email, but the last uncle
passed away two years ago. There is now no living uncle in North
Korea who can remember my mother, who presently lives in Chicago.
I had two unforgettable experiences, among many others. One was
to meet my step-siblings. I was always the youngest one in my
family, but there, my five siblings called me elder brother. I
was confused. The other was to see my father’s tomb with
a picture of him when he was an elderly man. (Until then, I had
only seen his wedding picture.) When my only elder brother, who
went to North Korea with me, told me that he arranged for me to
see our father’s tomb, I said to him, “You don’t
have to do it for me.” I didn’t consider it as important
thing to do because I thought, “He’s already gone;
so why should I see his tomb?” Besides, I don’t remember
him at all, since I was only 2 or 3 years old when we were separated.
But when I saw the tomb with my father’s big picture, which
my youngest brother had prepared for me in the cemetery, I changed
my thinking. I felt something in my heart and cried unceasingly.
I couldn’t say a word in front of the tomb. Later, I began
to accept who my father was and is and also to whom I belong.
Walking through all the emotions of dealing with my birthplace,
my father’s tomb, and my siblings and relatives in North
Korea helped me discover who I am. This trip helped me to have
a better relationship with my father and to know what my homeland
means to me. Most of all, I matured from this trip and saw another
of God’s missions for me. Therefore, it was a very important
journey. I have other good stories like what happened to me in
the Bongsoo Church in Pyongyang and the social changes I saw in
North Korea, but I can’t share everything with you in this
report. When we meet each other in person, please ask me about
my trip. Again, thanks for your prayers. |
