16 April 2013

Korean Trip

I have just returned from a 4-day trip to South Korea where I had the privilege of being the speaker at the CEF Korean conference for leaders and local directors. This years' theme was 'Youth Challenge' and I taught 10 sessions of 50 minutes each with interpretation.

The fellowship was very special, the food was amazing (I'm now a master with the chop-sticks) and it was amazing to pray with these believers 'Korean style' (everyone at the same time, out loud, in their own language) for the children and teenagers of South Korea as well as to cry out to God for open doors into the north (a country very much on my heart).
If you have been watching the news in recent day, you will know that it has been dominated by threats coming from Pyongyang. The day I arrived, news broke that the north was advising foreigners to leave the country. My Korean friends smilled and said, "Don't worry, we will take care of you and we are all in God's hands". Despite the reservations of many about travelling to the region, I felt that this was an opportunity to speak to these dear CEF workers that was one too good to miss. Now I am so glad that I went.

Pray that the workers will soon begin to translate the JYC teaching manuals and that the JYC ministry will now begin to grow in this country. Plans are also being made to hold a full JYC Instructor course in the country next year.

감사합니다