Incheon, Suwon, and Osan, Korea (January 2025)

 

In January 2025, Kristin and I traveled to Korea. The primary purpose was for Kristin to receive the simple but important surgery to treat her stenosis in the back. Also, we wanted to get over the jetlag resulting from the time difference before we began our trip to Japan.

Before we left Korea, Jimin, and Minsook came to Incheon to meet up with us despite the snow. We had a joyous time together.

I did not plan to meet people on this trip, but I met up with JC Park because I was wondering what the Lord had in store for him. He was working as an executive vice president of JB Holdings, but he was considering relocating to Indonesia to lead a bank that another business group had acquired. Since he studied Islamic finance for his master's and doctorate degrees, it could be a wonderful opportunity that the Lord may have bestowed upon him. We will see.

During our trip, there was the Lunar New Year or Seol in Korean. I joined my siblings and their family who were gathering at my mom's apartment in Osan. My mom prepared a lot of food despite her age at 94 years old. We all enjoyed a feast.  

After the meal, we bowed to our mom, called Sebae, and exchanged edifying words. We also did to each other. It was a happy custom for us to have to keep.

Kristin received the surgery on the same day we arrived at Incheon. After we dropped our luggage, I rented a SOCAR and drove to Suwon where Dr. Park had a clinic. He happens to be a son of Kristin's high school alumni. He operated on her in the evening and we both stayed at the clinic. The following day, Kristin was able to walk with minimal pain. After 10 days, we returned to the clinic for the doctor to remove the stitches. The surgery was successful.

Since Kristin could not join us in our Seol Gathering, we drove to Osan, not far away from Suwon, for her to meet up with my mom. We had lunch together. 

Meanwhile, Amanda and Joyce both sent us photos of their children wearing Korean traditional clothes, called Hanbok. They were so adorable! 

Coincidentally, Sujin's birthday was falling on the same day as the Lunar New Year's Day. I bought a cake with candles to celebrate her birthday. We also celebrated Jimin's birthday which was seven days after the Lunar New Year.

Danny Kim is a missionary now serving in Spain. He was a missionary to Haiti for 10 years or so before. He is a friend of mine and he was scheduled to share the Lord's Day message at a church where BJ is worshipping. That night, Danny was scheduled to leave Korea to return home. So I went to worship at that church and to fellowship. Several of us continued our fellowship at the home of the parents of one of the church members. It was a joyous reunion not only with Danny and BJ but also with the church members to whom BJ had been talking about me. 

One business meeting I had to hold was a stakeholders' meeting about SHINE Alliance, which has been tentatively named for an initiative to scale up the collaboration among BAM organizations. Both SfK and Hesed representatives met and agreed in unity while Professor Moon led the discussion. I was grateful for His grace in the process. 

My trip to Korea this time was short, but impactful. As always, I am deeply grateful for all God has been doing for me and other people around me. - Jeffrey