A letter from Choon and Yen Hee Lim in South Korea
June 2013
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9).
Dear Friends in Mission,
A new hospital in Rason, North Korea, with Manna mission team
At the beginning of my position as RL (Regional Liaison) for East Asia, I was struggling to make mission goals and projects. People, including our staff, asked me questions like “What are you going to do for East Asia, or for North Korea?” I answered, “At this point I don’t know, I will let you know maybe six months later.” Galatians 6:9 encourages me to do my new mission work. If I don’t give up or lose heart for East Asia, I will reap a harvest of blessing in God’s time.
I was eager to meet our partner church, UCCJ (United Church of Christ in Japan) and mission co-workers in Japan. I felt welcomed with a warm heart. Within nine days I went from the north of Japan—Sapporo—to the south of Japan—Nagasaki—and the middle cities of Japan—Nagoya, Kobe and Tokyo—where I met the general secretary and staff of the UCCJ. I would like to mention here a special thanks to Yodogawa Christian Hospital, which invited me to attend their grand opening of a new hospital before visiting mission co-workers in Japan.
Receiving a Bible and hymnbook published in North Korea in 1990 from Rev. Chongro Lee
Another partner church I wanted to visit was Pyongyang Bongsoo Church of the Korean Christian Federation (KCF) in North Korea. I had prayed for it for a long time. On May 3 I met Rev. Chong-ro Lee, Director of International Affairs of the KCF at Bongsoo Church. We had had a good relationship with the KCF, but had not had any communication in three years, so I discussed with him rebuilding a good relationship again. He welcomed it and wants to visit our General Assembly meeting in 2014, and also wants to invite five representatives from the PC(USA). He then offered me a Bible and hymnbook that the KCF published in 1990. After the meeting we decided to send 60 tons of flour for the Noodle and Bread Factory (which we built before) to Bongsoo Church as humanitarian aid.
Yen Hee and I also visited Manna Mission Center in Rason, in the northern part of North Korea. Manna Mission has a new hospital, bread factory, kindergarten, and tuberculosis sanatorium. This very unique and impressive mission work is supported by the Korean Presbyterian Church (KPC) in the PC(USA).
On December 8, 2012, I attended Bishop Ting Kuang-Hsun’s memorial service in Nanjing, China, representing the PC(USA). He dedicated his lifetime to the ecumenical movement and developing the international relations of the Church in China. He was chair of the National Committee of TSPM (Three-Self Patriotic Movement), president of CCC (China Christian Council), principal of the Nanjing Union Theological Seminary, and chairperson of the Amity Foundation, where we had had a strong relationship. There I met many representatives from other denominations and officials in China. With the Outreach Foundation I visited many cities in China and met many officials of CCC and TSPM, making new friendship with them.
Missionaries in East Asia
I also attended the General Assembly of the PCT (Presbyterian Church in Taiwan) in April 2013 and visited our mission center, HACM, in Hualien. The students were so surprised to see me so soon again. I missed them a lot and have still communicated with them sometimes through Facebook. I had spent time with them as a translator in February when 20 students came to Seoul, Korea, and performed Gospel Praise Night at several churches.
Yen Hee spends most of her time taking care of our mission compound in Seoul, which has four apartment units. She is the manager. In the future she wants to go to North Korea and help the hospital at Rason as an operation room nurse.
Now I began to know my RL work and appreciate the opportunity God gave me. I will not be discouraged by it or give it up, even if it demands strenuous work. Please pray for my new adventure, the new work, and safety, because I have to travel a lot. As in the Chopstick Mission Theory I wrote before in my mission report, I am still your supported "going" missionary and you are my sending missionary. Let’s work together so that we can feed the poor physically and spiritually, especially in North Korea. With only one chopstick we can’t do this mission. God bless you all!
Together in Mission,
Choon Lim
The 2013 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 204
Read more about Choon and Yen Hee Lim's ministry
Write to Choon Lim
Write to Yen Hee Lim
Give to Choon and Yen Hee Lim's sending and support
