A letter from Sue and Art Kinsler in Korea
May 19, 2010
Dear partners in mission,
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people ...” (Galatians 6:9, 10a)
Trip by nine Korean Americans verifies aid and increases understanding
Sue Kinsler took a group of eight Korean Americans with her on her third trip in 2010. The Korean peninsula was in turmoil over the explosion that sank the South Korean naval ship Cheonan and the North government’s taking over the Diamond Mountain tourist facilities built by the South, which had blocked trips there for two years. But visiting with the helping hands of Christians, Sue’s group kept on with their planned visit to help needy North Koreans and further peaceful relationships, convinced that this is the Lord’s work. On arrival at Pyongyang Airport the group was met by three officials of the Overseas Koreans Aid Committee.
Kwonsa Mina Won embraces some of the orphans she has been helping by providing food and other needed supplies.
Visiting from May 1 to May 8, the group was made up of two pastors, two elders, two deacons and two Kwonsas (senior deaconesses), one of whom was accompanied by her daughter. Sue and three others on the trip had visited previously, but despite the international tension they found nothing different this time in the warm reception and helpful cooperation the group received. On Sunday the group worshipped with more than 50 foreigners and about 300 local members at Pyongyang’s Bongsoo Church. Sue and Elder Shin, invited to give a musical number, sang “Have Thine Own Way Lord.” Bongsoo Pastor Son Hyo Soon commented that missionary Sue Kinsler visits so often that she is like a church member.
Monday’s schedule began at the Mirim Orphanage-School with its 580 orphans, where rice, flour, cooking oil and kitchen utensils have been recently sent by Sue from Seoul. A key point of discussion was making plans to help the much-needed renovation of the kitchen and dining room. When the group of nine visited the Potonggang Sheltered Workshops Sue and officials of the organization talked about the North’s interest in increasing similar workshops to train more persons with disabilities in response to the high quality of tailoring, hair dressing, watch and shoe repair, etc. done by the Potonggang workshops.
Praying at the Panmunjom Peace Table and a Kaseong homecoming
At Panmunjom the May visiting group poses with a soldier after praying at the truce table.
On Tuesday the group visited the North’s side of Panmunjom and openly prayed at the table where the truce agreement was worked out in 1953. At the nearby city of Kaeseong, Sue’s visitors celebrated with Kwonsa Grace Lee, who was able to visit her hometown after 60 years. These stops were a tearful, emotional experience for all in the group as they visited historical sites.
The next day at Sariwon the group handed over the 350 sets of clothes and bath soap brought in their luggage for the young orphans in two orphanages, and they checked the storage room for ingredients for the tasty bread they were offered at the Sariwon bakery/soymilk plant. After singing and a magic show by the 4-year-olds at the orphanage the visitors were taken to Chungbang Mountain’s scenic location for an outdoor lunch feast and a sharing time with workers from the bakery and the local officials telling about their 10-year relationship with Sue and her supporters.
Students at Kangwon School, one of 11 special ed schools helped by the Kinslers, are learning sign language.
Sue tells about Thursday’s visit: “We drove three hours east to Wonsan, where the first stop was the Kangwon School for the Hearing Impaired. There we visited each classroom and met the increased group of new students beginning the first of their five years. The school is expanding their school body and programs such as computer, handicraft and artwork training for boarding young persons 12 to 22 years old. It was fun to visit those in their first year learning sign language.”
Those with artificial legs drive delivery motorcycles with hand controls
Back in Pyongyang the group had seen pictures verifying the arrival of the 100 wheelchairs gived by Elder Park, which had been sent ahead along with 25 tons of corn flour. But in Wonsan there was more interest in examining three-wheel motorcycle delivery carts controlled only by hand, some of which had been paid for by the repeat visitors on this trip. What a blessing to talk with those who had lost legs to accidents but now could be gainfully employed! Thursday night was spent resting at Tongcheon on Korea’s east coast with its beautiful scenes of ocean and lake.
After returning to Pyongyang the group was hosted by the department head of the inviting agency, Mr. Kim, for a dinner and discussion of shining God’s light by helping needy children and the disabled even in the face of the difficult political situation. This work of giving humanitarian aid is able to continue despite other restrictions tightening because the need for food and other necessities is as great as ever. As Christians we feel constrained to help the least ones in North Korea, who are in so many ways victims. We ask for your prayers and support.
Escorting concerned persons to North Korea takes a lot of contacting and phone calls to set up, but God moves people’s hearts when they see with their own eyes those in need and are welcomed by those serving to make the projects work — both government-provided project staff and officials. Permission to visit and communication is easiest when Sue takes overseas Koreans to visit. Husband Art writes newsletters and thank-you mail in English. Somehow in this work God has been doing a marvelous thing — providing food that after several years makes the children healthy, demonstrating that people with disabilities can make a contribution and bringing relationships that enhance the hope for peace on the peninsula.
Yours in the name of Jesus who makes us all one,
Sue and Art Kinsler
The 2010 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 138
