Trip to Korea (October 2017)

In early October, I made a really quick trip to Korea. The purpose of the trip was two fold: brainstorming with Rev. Jung Gil Hong, the founder and retired pastor of Nam-Seoul Church, a famous one and brainstorming with Missionary Bong Rae Lee and his people of HESED.

After his retirement from pastoring the church, Rev. Jung Gil Hong used to minister at Yanbin University of Science and Technology (YUST) in China for more than a decade. In recent years, he received approximately $30 million from one of Christian business founders, called O-ddu-gi. He built a retreat center called Yesu Village and is engaged in a school project and potential BAM project in Myanmar. This meeting was arranged by Missionary Min Young Jung, but our conversation never came to any tangible conclusion. I think I just listened to his story. The chapel built within the YeSu Village was stunningly beautiful. In fact, it received an architectural award.

Although we did not have any tangible outcome from the meeting, I had a joyous fellowship with Missionary Jung who is scheduled for retirement from his missionary duty at the end of 2017. We might develop a collaboration opportunity in Myanmar. Who knows...?

But, my trip to Korea bore a lot of fruit from the brainstorming session with Bong Rae Lee and his partner Joon Hong Uhm who traveled from Jeju Island. We spent almost five hours together to continue to explore the ways for collaboration. I was so grateful for God's intervention and provision. We in principle agreed to work together from 2018.

Unexpectedly, I worshiped at New Life Church in Ah-San, which serves Thai workers living in Korea. The church membership appeared to be 150-200 and the church was celebrating the 11th anniversary. Rev. Gwang Pyo Hong is shepherding the congregation. The guest speaker was a Thai pastor who is serving at a church in Bangkok where Night Light employees worship everyday. What a small world! I was given an opportunity to speak without any warning. SfK Ministries desires to work with New Life Corporation in Thailand in its organic chicken farming project.

Missionary Chang Sun Moon arranged for my housing at New Joong-Ang Church in Ahn Yang. The church was large with an estimated membership of 20,000 and carries a missionary housing facility of 68 rooms. They dedicated significant resources for serving the missionaries. I was thankful for their dedication and service.

I am also grateful to Chang Sun Moon who promised to arrange for my housing every time I need it in Korea. Wow!!! - Jeffrey