A letter from Sook Hee Bae in Korea
December 14, 2009
Greetings from Korea.The weather is getting cold and Christmastime is around the corner. K.J. and I are grateful to God for our ministry here in Korea.
As you know, the Women Ministers Association runs two shelters. One is “Another Home,” which is for runaway juveniles. The other is “Good News Shelter,” which is for victims of domestic violence. Many people came to our shelters with family problems. Most of them were despaired and frustrated, and they did not know Jesus Christ.
Ms. Nami Kim came to the Good News Shelter about five years ago. Her husband had abused her physically and mentally for many years. She decided to leave her husband, run away from him and come to our shelter. She was 58. She was very quiet person, but I realized from the way she looked that she was filled with anger and frustration. Nami didn’t know Jesus, but she attended our Yeji church service regularly.
Nami stayed in our shelter for nine months. During her stay I realized that she had changed her attitudes and behavior. She wanted to know more about Jesus and the Bible. It’s God’s blessing to see a person like Nami, who accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and was baptized here at Yeji church.
Photograph taken at the ordination of Nami Kim to service in KwonSA, a group of senior women deacons.
Nami moved out of our shelter and rented a small room near Yeji church. She continued to attend Sunday worship Services and was very active in most of the church’s programs. Two years ago, the church elected her a deacon. It was the first time in Yeji church history we elected a woman to the office of deacon. We glorified God, and Nami dedicated herself to serve God and the church. She showed her leadership at church and comforted other residents as a role model. I’m so happy to see her at Sunday services and grateful to God for her dedicated service for Jesus. In Korea, we have a group called “KwonSa,” which is made up of senior women deacons. Being a member of KwonSa is an honor for women deacons.
Last October 25, Yeji church elected Nami as the first “KwonSa” at Yeji church. Praise the Lord! I’m happy to share Nami’s story of faith and the transformation of her life by the love of God. Through God’s grace, Nami became a KwonSa. I pray that she and Yeji church continue to serve God and build the Kingdom of God on earth. I’m also asking your continuing prayer for her and support for my ministry with women.
The Rev. David Hudson (center), PC(USA)’s area coordinator for Asia, meets with women from the Women Ministers Association.
We visited our family in the States during the Thanksgiving holiday. It was great joy for me and K.J. to see our son’s family and share our love. The Reverend David Hudson, PC(USA)’s area coordinator for Asia, visited Korea on December 1, and he met with all mission co-workers in Korea. I was so happy that David visited my work site WMA, even though he had busy schedule, and that he was able to meet WMA staff. He visited two shelters at WMA. I appreciate David’s taking the time to visit with WMA staff and share his thoughts with them. K.J. and I also had a meeting with David for our evaluation and discussed our re-appointment for next term. I’m grateful for David and Louisville staff’s support for our ministry here in Korea.
K.J. and I would like to serve God another term. As I mentioned in my last newsletter, we will stay at Stony Point Center, New York, from April to September, 2010. During our interpretation assignment, we would like to visit as many as churches and share our ministry with you. Contact to me and K.J. by email at shbpcusa@yahoo.com and kookjinbae@yahoo.com. We look forward to hearing from you. I will send a more detailed schedule of our home assignment soon as we have confirmed things.
K.J. is quite busy going the PC(USA) Seoul office every day and aking care of financial issues and matters related to mission co-workers. It is rather a challenging job for K.J., and he needs your prayer.
I wish every single one a wonderful Christmas holiday. May God bless you richly during this Christmas season.
Peace and Grace,
Sook Hee and K.J.
The 2009 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 120
