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• 2002 June

Deaf Ministries Update

Bringing the Gospel to the Deaf

June 2002

At the raw fish restaurant

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Following the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Immanuel Church for the deaf in the town of Taechon on the second day we were in Korea, we were taken to a hotel at the nearby beach for a workers meeting then to a restaurant specializing in raw fish that same evening. We survived our first day after flying all night from Australia by attending the worship service at Seoul Union Church, speaking at the Seoul Deaf church, doing an ordination in the afternoon followed by another meeting at night. Jeff Weston from the OMB here in Australia was with me on his first and possibly last trip to Korea! The workers meeting got a bit heated which is more than we could say for the raw fish. I actually love raw fish so I was telling Jeff of a previous visit to a similar restaurant where the fish was so fresh it was still moving on the plate! I am sure that he thought that I was exaggerating until a dish of freshly caught octopus was put before him with the tentacles still moving. The taste is not bad but the feeling in the mouth of the octopus still jiggling is a bit off putting to say the least.

The main purpose of Jeff’s visit to Korea was to help with an ordination that first Sunday. It was a wonderful moving service where each person who attended was really blessed and encouraged. A visit to the Geon Children’s home and a service at the Churches of Christ Seminary in Seoul where Jeff was the speaker saw his main obligations fulfilled so the rest of the time was spent with our deaf churches, workers and families. It was a great time.

Park Kwang Chol and family with Jeff Weston

Park Kwang Chol is one of our young evangelists. He is now responsible for the church in Kuri on the eastern side of Seoul. Kwang Chol has leukaemia which is in remission and he is doing well but needs to be checked constantly. We are hoping that he will be able to visit Australia later in the year to share in churches here. Keep praying for him.

Kim Yong Whan

Kim Yong Whan in Chun Cheon was in hospital when we arrived. While fixing a shelf in the bath room it fell knocking over a bowl which broke and then fell on to his leg cutting it right down to the tendon. He was kind of out of action while we were there. I say kind of, as he kept checking himself out of hospital so that he could be with us wherever we went in Chun Chon so really didn’t miss too much of the fun.

100 year old Anglican Church on Kangwha Island

A day was spent too in Kangwha with Kumiko and Doo Hyong, and we visited a 100 year old Anglican Church on Kangwha Island. The Kangwha Immanuel Church for the deaf is growing and we shared a great time at the service Wednesday night.

Our little Seoul Church meeting in the basement of a conveniently placed building received a bit of a shock when the landlord increased the key money from July onwards by a cool 32,000,000 won which in more understandable terms is about $US27,000 or $AUD47,000. The pastor O Sei Hwang faxed me just now saying that he would like to immigrate to Tasmania … or anywhere! Please pray for the church as they try to relocate, which is easier said than done.

Seoul Church

During the week spent in Korea we took part in 5 Church services, an ordination, Church anniversary, 3 workers meetings, a Seminary Service, orphanage visit, Rotary Club meeting, so many dinner invitations we lost count, two visits to the immigration office for a renewal of my permit which I still keep, taxation office visit, plus loads of personal counselling and discussions. Thank you for praying. One of our churches is on the verge of a split so please keep this issue in your prayers too.

God Bless,

Neville