Just a couple of weeks coming from our energy- sapping but extremely fruitful mission trip to Bangladesh and Thailand, I felt the trip to Korea was not a priority. With the thrust here at home to intensify prayer, evangelism and discipleship gaining momentum in connection with our Jubilee battle cry: “Raising Up A Nation of Davids!” and with myriads of ministry responsibilities in the Body of Christ that I have to attend to, I was inclined to turn down the invitation of Rev. Mary Chang of Diakonia Leaders’ Intitute to speak in some key churches in cities of Daegu and Inchon in South Korea. In the trip, I was also arranged to meet with key church leaders and explore the possibility of ministry partnership. As I prayed to the Lord for His confirmation concerning the ministry trip to Korea, the Lord clearly spoke to my heart to accept the invitation because He is going to show me many glorious things and open many strategic doors.
Ate Tanette and I rushed the processing of our visa application with the Korean Embassy. Thank God for the efficient work of Ate Sarah Rabino and Kuya Andy Camu, the visa came out just in time, a day before we fly to Inchon, South Korea last October 23. The Lord also provided some a loving, wonderful couple to go with us: Kuya Butch and Ate Nellie Ocampo, our Jesus People/ CLSF members living in New Jersey, USA who have recently retired from their jobs in America and would like to experience going with us in some of our foreign mission trips.
The chilling early autumn air brushed our faces as we arrived at the ultra modern Inchon International airport, some two- hour drive from the capital city of Seoul. Inchon airport, the biggest and most modern airport in South Korea and one of the biggest and most beautiful airports in the world was built in an island and was connected to the main peninsula via a beautiful 36 kilometer highway called the Incheon International Airport Expressway spanning some 30 kilometers over the sea. Ate Tanette and I were overwhelmed by the tremendous development and progress South Korea has made some ten years since the last time we were there. All over Korea, you could see so much prosperity and development. This is a stark contrast to what we saw in Bangladesh, nevertheless, the Lord spoke to our hearts that He is at work in these nations. Korea today is a picture of the Lord’s mercy, grace and goodness upon a nation and a people who have zealously embraced the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and whose church (40% of the population are Bible believing Christians) have intensely prayed for and loved their nation for the past 100 years. The Lord answered their cry with a sweeping revival from the 1960s till now that brought tremendous transformation to the whole nation. Today, Korea boasts of the biggest and richest churches in the world with the biggest church having 750,000 members. They have one of the most prosperous and strongest economies in the world!
Some 50 years ago, they were like Bangladesh. Out of their desperation, they cried out to God, made prayer their number one priority, had come to their “kairos” time (Acts 17:26) and seized their destiny with passion and importunity. Today, the nation is a picture of prosperity and well being with the church manifesting the wisdom, power, honor and glory of the Kingdom of God.
Indeed, our four day mission to Korea turned out as the Lord has spoken to me. The Lord did open many doors of ministry and strategic partnerships with the Korean leaders and churches and have opened my eyes on the power of His grace. I sense in my spirit that the same “almond branch” of His mercy is being extended to a similar “kairos” opportunity before us in the light of our Jubilee season! The Lord showed to me a glimpse of His glory when the whole nation like Korea turns back to Him. This is the Korean connection! We will pursue it with great faith and perseverance in our hearts!
Kuya Dan
Also published in Eagle Christian, Issue No. 267, October 31, 2010
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