Trip to Korea (September 2025)

After I left Tashkent, I went to Incheon, Korea for approximately two weeks. The primary purpose of this visit is to consummate several financial transactions with Hesed to swap investments. But there are always things to do and people to meet. 

The first meeting happened accidentally. I bumped into Mr. Ahn from Bishkek at the Almaty Airport. There, I was introduced to Herbert Hong from the U.S., who has since relocated back to Korea. He has been serving in Central Asia for the past 30-plus years. We agreed to meet again while we were all in Korea.

In the evening of the day I arrived at Incheon, I met with Agape friends. It was for the first time for us all five alumni together since we graduated. One of them, Jinbae Park, had recently resigned from Jeonju University as its President. We heard about the story around his resignation and the politics were disappointing. It was quite joyous to see old friends.

We had a meeting for the SHINE Alliance Task Force at the Incheon Airport. It was the seventh meeting and the last. I found the K-Culture Museum located at Terminal 1 quite interesting. 

I met with Mr. Kang, who was introduced by KS Lee in Delhi. His ministry was quite interesting, but I was unsure if I would be able to use the Befu Resort in Japan. Anyway, I made a small contribution to help him out.

BJ Kim made an arrangement for me to meet with Elder Sukha Kang. He is a businessman, but eager to serve missionaries in various ways. We liked each other well and we instantly agreed to join the Nestorian Forum in Bishkek in May 2026. He knew Caleb Choi in Bishkek. What a small world!

I made a trip to Sokcho along with my mother and my younger sister, Minsook. Jimin, my first younger sister, moved to Sokcho, and our visit was for the housewarming. We stayed at her apartment for two nights. It was so nice to be able to see the sea and Mt. Sorak at the same time. It was so relieving. We enjoyed our time together.

Uzbekistan snacks I brought

I am so thankful that Jimin and Minsook are close and getting along well. They visit our mom twice a month, and it takes a commitment to do so.

Except for one meal we ate at a restaurant, Jimin prepared all other meals. The food she prepared was far better than the one we ate at the restaurant. Disappointing.

We met up again with Elder Ahn and Herbert Hong, who came with Michael Cho. Cho is involved in several International Schools. After a meal at the ICN, we went to visit one of the international boarding schools in their network. I still do not fully understand how they work, but the network seems to be growing. 

I met up with Wonjin Choi and Steve Park near my place. This particular restaurant specializes in baby octopus cuisine. It was delicious. Our fellowship was useful and fruitful, as well.

On the way home, I took a Turkish Airlines flight that was passing through Istanbul. But, due to the weather, my flight from Incheon to Istanbul arrived late, thus missing the connecting flight. I had to take the following day's flight, and I stayed at a Mercure Hotel downtown Istanbul. The facility was a 5-star hotel. 

Turkish sweets

When I returned home on September 30, my two-month journey ended after 17 flights in total. I was thankful that I was kept safe and healthy. Praise the Lord! - Jeffrey