아쌀라무 말라이쿰, 평안의 인사를 전합니다 ~
Assalamu Alaikum, sending you greetings of peace.
As the rainy season ends and the dry season begins, the scorching heat of over 30 degrees has returned during the day, but the mornings and evenings feel cool, much like autumn in Korea.
As we settle back into Y City, we have a bit more time on our hands since our two children are away. However, on the other hand, the emptiness left by their absence sometimes makes us hesitate.
Although M Country seems to be carrying on with daily life on the surface, we see deep wounds and pain among the people, as many parts of society have collapsed due to political instability and international economic sanctions. It breaks our hearts to hear local ministers confess that the church, which is meant to be the salt and light, is now weaker than before.
Please pray for the healing of wounds and resentment between ethnic groups, between society and the church, and among the churches themselves, caused by political chaos and civil war. Awake local churches and believers are holding gatherings, hoping for a prayer movement for recovery and repentance. Just like the Israelites during the Babylonian exile, please pray that the grace of returning to Jesus Christ—the source of hope and our true fortress—will fall upon them. Pray that the church recovers the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and rises as workers who share love with tens of millions of Buddhists and millions of Muslims.
As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit. Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you. (Zechariah 9:11-12, NIV)
Neighborhood Walks Begin Again
Noor Mentoring Center
D Region is geographically familiar to us, but this is the first time we have stepped into it with a heart for ministry. Through the introduction of a fellow worker we met while doing prayer walks, we formed a precious relationship with 'Brother Anu.' We are now worshipping and having fellowship with him every Sunday through DBS (Discovery Bible Study).
Recently, we had the joy of being invited to Brother Anu's home for a meal. Unfortunately, his wife’s heart is still closed to the Gospel. However, through 'Solarium cards' (conversation tools), we discovered that she loves reading. We plan to use this as an opportunity to read books together and naturally share the Gospel.
Upon surveying this D Region, we found that about 600 people from the Raja (who settled long ago) and 150,000 people from the M live here. When we greet them in their language—though our skills are clumsy—at local tea shops or bus stops, they are fascinated and open their hearts to us. We are so grateful to learn the R language effectively from Brother Anu, who has teaching experience. Please pray that we can build deep trust with our neighbors here and that the 'English/Korean Classes' and 'Youth Mentoring' we are preparing will become channels for the Gospel.
Uncle King David's Family in SD Region
While prayer walking in the SD Region, memories of our past border village ministry came flooding back. Despite our foreign appearance likely being strange to them, the residents greeted and welcomed us without guard, just like the innocent people at the border. My heart ached seeing young people stripping copper wires from discarded appliances to sell for scrap just to survive the day, as jobs are scarce on the outskirts of the city. This scene overlapped with the scenery of the border village.
Thankfully, 'Uncle King David's' family welcomed us warmly, allowing us to have deep conversations inside their home. Although exact statistics are unavailable, we heard from him that Raja people are migrating to this area. Since we do not have a car yet, it is difficult to visit often, but we are determined not to let go of this connection. We plan to build relationships through consistent visits. Please pray that God shows us what ministry is needed in this barren land and sends new workers to join us.
Vision casting : Standing in the Gap
For the past two months, we had a busy time moving to Y City, organizing our home and center, and settling in. In every step, we experienced the Lord’s grace, attaching helping hands to us and providing for our needs in detail. Although there were difficult situations, we are deeply grateful that we arrived safely without losing any belongings and that the center and our home are well-arranged.
The team retreat and evangelism vision workshop with our colleagues were highly beneficial as we began this new ministry season with rising motivation and passion. It was a time to organize our busy minds from the move and renew our vision.
Looking back on our ministry in the border region, I realize that while I tried to share the Gospel with neighbors and children using my own knowledge and experience, our role was actually to go into an empty field and sow the 'seeds of the Gospel.' Although we didn't see large, visible changes, I am grateful that the remaining workers are continuing that ministry in my absence. Through this seminar, I am looking at the vision of spreading the Gospel once again. Now, rather than relying on my own passion and effort, I hope to establish this vision by wrestling in fasting and prayer, seeking only the Lord’s leading.
🤲🏻 Please Pray Together!
By God's grace, we aim to see an Indigenous Biblical Church Movement (IBCM) among the R people, and 7 faithful workers equipped for their own people and other people groups.
hope4roh@gmail.com
