Trip to Korea (April 2015)

At Yonsei Campus with the Main Building and the Underwood Statue

After visiting Thailand and Philippines, I extended my trip to visit Korea. Obviously, I wanted to see my parents even for a short time, but I also saw my friends and gave a few lectures.

First of all, we had a family reunion with my siblings, their children and my parents. This was the first time in a long time to get together with my younger brother, Min Tae, along with his children. His daughter, Youngae also brought her fiancee. They plan to get married this year. Minja and Minsook also came with their husbands and their children. What a blessing to get together as a family! Unfortunately I was the only one from my family, but I was happy to be with them. I am sure my parents also enjoyed the time together.

My extended family

Youngae, my niece, and her fiance

Secondly, I gave lectures at KOICA Head Office, Handong Global University and KDI School of International Policy and Management. The topics were ODA + Finance, Microfinance and Development and Innovative Solutions to International Development, respectively, but the contents were pretty much the same with a slightly different perspective. It is always a blessing to be able to share what I know with others. I hope some people took advantage of the presentations.

Lecture at KOICA H.O.

With Sungeun Choi, Hyojung Lee and Sangkeup Lee

With Professor MS Doh and cheery blossom

Handong Global University Campus

HGU Faculty Worship

Former Rz Manna staff

KDI School of International Policy and Management

Lecture at KDI School

Professor Booyuel Kim and his wife and the youngest child

Thirdly, I attended the wedding of the son of Pyung Ku Lee, one of my best friends. I saw many college friends. But what was more fun was to participate in a monthly golf outing for my college friends. It was so much fun to play golf with my old friends after 40 some years. Amazing. Many got really old. I am sure I may have looked that old also.

Fourthly, I also saw many other friends, including Agape friends (YD Suh, Jinbae Park, Namhyun Kim, Doojin Ahn, Hyun Chan Bae plus several others), Jun Kim, Joon Kyu Kim, Myung Ken Lee, Dowoon Lee, M. Jae Moon, Gunshin Lim, Hyo Jung Lee, Dong Hwa Kim, Matthew Jung,

Agape Club friends

Seafood Dish with Jun Kim

Y D Suh and his wife

Heon Lee at Ritz Carlton in Hong Kong

Joon Kyu Kim (far right) and his friends at Heart to Heart

Fifthly, we held an off-line SBS get-together in a cafe. A dozen people participated and it was so encouraging to see young people who are making conscious efforts to living a godly life. Participants were Jihyun, Sunghye, Hayan, Sungeun, Jooheum, Sangmin, Isaac, Youngsup, Jonghak, Jaejoon. I sincerely pray for their continued growth in faith and godliness.

SBS gathering at Hapjung

Sixthly, I visited Mokpo, where I was born, and saw medical and dental professionals who regularly visit Rwanda to serve Rwandans. Also, I got to see a couple of my high school friends after 40 some years. It was a pleasant surprise to see them, but the world was small. I also took a day trip down to Sacheon with my high school friends, Myung Gyu and Gilyong to see Young Soo. We were a group of friends who got together regularly while we were attending the same high school. The short but sweet reunion gave us a lot of nostalgia.

With Dr. Haegyun Park and Dr. Seunggon Yang

Dr. Park's Korean traditional house

With Dr. HS Cho, my friend since primary school

With Mr. SJ Jun, a high school class mate

Gilyong Choi, MyungGyu and Youngsoo at Sacheon

Seventhly, I also saw many fellow Kingdom workers, including Pastor Dongho Kim, Pastor Sunki Bang, Pastor Harry Kim and Elder Kyongsup Kwon over breakfast at Marriott. I also met up with Seung Won Lee and Yeun Kang, Shinick's daughter. I had a great fellowship with Missionary Matthew Jung and Donghwa Kim, CEO of GMF at one of the traditional tea houses at Baek Woon Lake. I attended a worship service at a house church ministered by Harry Kim and their welcome was warm and their fellowship was great, specially the flood of sea food!

Harry Kim, Kyongsup Kwon, me and Dongho Kim

A traditional tea house

Seafood, seafood, seafood!!!

One of  the exciting benefits that I had in this trip was to stay at Bon World House, a housing sponsored by Bon Juk to assist the returning missionaries for a temporary shelter. It was a studio apartment and cost me less than $10 a night. God bless them and their businesses so that they may become greater blessing to many others! - Jeffrey

Trip to the Philippines (March 2015)

With Elder and Mrs. Jang

After the Thailand BAM Academy, I had a chance to visit Manila, the Philippines for the first time in my life.

The primary purpose of this visit was to spend time with Elder Jae Jung Jang, a former marine ship captain and now a successful businessman owning and managing several businesses in the Philippines. He is a man of faith and also a member of BAM Academy.

I participated in a fund-raising golf tournament to support the Uni Sorok Foundation. Uni Sorok Foundation supports various activities and programs for former patients of Hansen disease, including a self-supporting village, economic development skills training and education. It was unfortunate that I did not have time to visit the village.

I also participated in a street church program, started 17 years ago by Pastor Song, now in his 70's, and supported by Elder Jang, which now serves up to 600 members who are all homeless and living on the streets. I was humbled and inspired by Pastor Song's dedication and all other volunteers who are sparing their time and talents in serving them. Elder Jang and I also participated in handing out breads along with Christian tracts on the streets in Manila.

Pastor Park, the successor, Pastor Song

Volunteers preparing for lunch

A Filipino doctor

Elder Jang and I gave a lecture to a group of Christian marine school graduates who will soon set sailing on ships. Missionary Jung has been teaching and training them for the past several years and now bearing many fruits all over the ocean. Each student is sent to a ship, signifying a church, to serve them not necessarily by the Word but by humble and sacrificial service to the fellow seamen. I talked about Good Steward's Financial Management for their better financial stewardship.

Rev. Dr. Lee, CEO of a retreat center and Elder Jang

I also consulted with Mr. Jinsu Kim, CEO of IT Corea, a financial platform to clear electronic payment transactions via mobile phone, G Cash, and VISA cards. They have secured several valuable tools to generate revenues if they are run properly.

Overall, my visit to Manila was short but sweet. I experienced the diversity and outgoing nature of the Filipinos and their conviction of the role to play in the end times according to God's grand salvation plan. I was grateful for the opportunity to visit Manila and for Elder Jae Jung Jang who welcomed me and shared a lot with me. His hospitality was greatly appreciated. We would stay in touch. - Jeffrey