The rest of the trip was very similar. We visited schools in the mornings and visited refugee camps in the afternoons.
During the trip, I took some time to get to know a little more about the Syrian war. It was difficult to get a detailed view, as so many different parties with their own motives got tangled within. Nonetheless, a war was what occurred, and a lot of the Syrian refugees flooded into the neighboring country that was Lebanon.
Lebanon was most a Christian nation, nearing 60% of the population following God. Soon with the refugee crisis and changes in demographics, the country was supposedly mostly Muslim. However, due to the sensitivity of religions, the government did its best not to label issues as religious. This is not to say hate crime against religion is nonexistent, but when an issue rises concerning rabbis or priests, the officials soon backed off.
This paved way into a gang-like territory issue. Whenever a town had a church, Muslim leaders would be hesitant to build a synagogue near it. Whenever a town had a synagogue, churches would not be planted. The towns chose what religious buildings they wanted present, and more people came for the religious colors. The cycle continued and heavy religious colors resides in local areas.
Although gang-like territory wars do not occur, it was enough motivation for us to pray for the country. It also gave me a sense of alertness for Muslims in light of spiritual matters.
We left Lebanon on Friday, leaving behind, hopefully, our sincerest prayers and touches of love. Honestly, I do not know if the sick we had prayed for will get well. I do not know if the seeds of the Gospel we spread would fully bloom. I guess I would only know if I ever make it back to Lebanon. In the meantime, I pray that I may continue on with my life in the peace of God, while constantly searching for what God has in store for me.
Friday, June 29, 2018
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
Thoughts on Lebanon #3
The refugees were more or less the outsiders in the issues of the community. Yet, there were so many of them. I had only heard about the growing masses of refugees, but I never knew the scale was this large.
The camps were an amalgamation of garbage. Wood piled here and there, while long banners kept the wind away. Yet, their hospitality was glowing. The hosts invited us with pleasure into their homes. Though the day was a classic summer day, they treated us with scalding hot tea, as they had not much else to offer.
Being a doctor and having not much else to talk about, I told them I would perform medical examinations if they wanted. Unfortunately, I had not brought any examination kits, let alone any medicine.
After a short history check, I had to let the family know that there really was not much I could do to help the patient, but the words did not quite leave my mouth. In that moment, a pastor opened her mouth to say that we will pray for them.
Soon she had spoken of the Gospel, and that Jesus truly loved them.
As a Christian, the command of Jesus to spread the Gospel always lay heavy in my heart, but it was always something I could not easily do. I had been too sensitive of the opinion of others, whether or not talking about God would bother them. I also felt very hypocritical, as I did not feel like I was living a very "Christian" life.
Yet, all there was to it was to simply say that "Jesus loves you."
The children did not care what I had done in my life at home. The refugees did not care who I was or what I do for a living. They all simply wanted to love and be loved. They were just grateful to be with us, that somebody cared enough to visit.
It was as if God was letting me know that I was righteous enough to be loved, perfectly built to love as well. He simply wanted to be with me.
I am not to say that the mission trip was a blast. It is taking a toll on me physically. Spiritually, however, I never felt so free.
The camps were an amalgamation of garbage. Wood piled here and there, while long banners kept the wind away. Yet, their hospitality was glowing. The hosts invited us with pleasure into their homes. Though the day was a classic summer day, they treated us with scalding hot tea, as they had not much else to offer.
Being a doctor and having not much else to talk about, I told them I would perform medical examinations if they wanted. Unfortunately, I had not brought any examination kits, let alone any medicine.
After a short history check, I had to let the family know that there really was not much I could do to help the patient, but the words did not quite leave my mouth. In that moment, a pastor opened her mouth to say that we will pray for them.
Soon she had spoken of the Gospel, and that Jesus truly loved them.
As a Christian, the command of Jesus to spread the Gospel always lay heavy in my heart, but it was always something I could not easily do. I had been too sensitive of the opinion of others, whether or not talking about God would bother them. I also felt very hypocritical, as I did not feel like I was living a very "Christian" life.
Yet, all there was to it was to simply say that "Jesus loves you."
The children did not care what I had done in my life at home. The refugees did not care who I was or what I do for a living. They all simply wanted to love and be loved. They were just grateful to be with us, that somebody cared enough to visit.
It was as if God was letting me know that I was righteous enough to be loved, perfectly built to love as well. He simply wanted to be with me.
I am not to say that the mission trip was a blast. It is taking a toll on me physically. Spiritually, however, I never felt so free.
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Thoughts on Lebanon #2
Main ministry started on Monday. The first school we visited was among the nicest schools. It was funded by a Lebanese pastor, while run by a Christian Syrian refugee. A lot of volunteer teachers were present also, ones from the US as a long term missions trip. The sun was scorching down, so we spread a huge cover across the playfield and waited for the kids to arrive.
They were all so loving. Some wore uniforms, some wore colorful wardrobes. As each and every student came running, though shy at first, soon welcomed all of us with big smiles.
After a short while of classes, the kids gathered around to watch the team perform. We prepared a skit, while some played songs with their instruments. We had the kids run around with pinwheels and balloons, right after a snack time. In the end, we had them sing and dance their hearts away.
A missionary who was watching the kids have fun, mentioned that kids from Muslim families would have been executed if they found their kids to have been singing songs about Jesus. Yet, here they were learning about Jesus. He mentioned how miraculous it was, and that God had used the tragedy of war to spread the Gospel.
It got me thinking about the problem of pain. C.S. Lewis wrote a whole book about it, and to the best of my knowledge, his conclusion was along the lines of that no one may understand why suffering occurs in this life. What we can do is to react to it to the best of our abilities, say, by getting to know God all the more.
They were all so loving. Some wore uniforms, some wore colorful wardrobes. As each and every student came running, though shy at first, soon welcomed all of us with big smiles.
After a short while of classes, the kids gathered around to watch the team perform. We prepared a skit, while some played songs with their instruments. We had the kids run around with pinwheels and balloons, right after a snack time. In the end, we had them sing and dance their hearts away.
A missionary who was watching the kids have fun, mentioned that kids from Muslim families would have been executed if they found their kids to have been singing songs about Jesus. Yet, here they were learning about Jesus. He mentioned how miraculous it was, and that God had used the tragedy of war to spread the Gospel.
It got me thinking about the problem of pain. C.S. Lewis wrote a whole book about it, and to the best of my knowledge, his conclusion was along the lines of that no one may understand why suffering occurs in this life. What we can do is to react to it to the best of our abilities, say, by getting to know God all the more.
Monday, June 25, 2018
Thoughts on Lebanon #1
Milk and honey. That was Lebanon to me. Known to be a part of the Promised Land, Canaan, Lebanon was in my mind a paradise. In reality, however, it was just a desert. Mountain ranges were seen miles away, stretching further out as if drawing the borders to the country. The clear blue skies stretched even further out, no sights of clouds whatsoever.
As a Korean, Lebanon was just another country in the Middle East. Prejudiced by the media, Arabic countries were rather a scary place to travel. However, I decided to join a missions trip to Lebanon as part of Seoul Dream Church.
The team's main ministry was to serve refugee children at their schools. The dates were from the 23rd of June to the 30th. We met on the evening of the 23rd and rode the plane extending to the 24th. With a 6 hour time-zone difference, we started ministry right away, as it was Sunday morning when we arrived.
As we moved away from the main cities, it really did seem much like a desert. It helped me imagine life of the Israelites as they were wandering for 40 years. As much as it seemed suffocating, it really highlighted how God truly made wonders just to feed them and keep them alive.
Yet, whenever there was a shade, it was nice and cool. Wherever there was water, life flourished. Shepherds walked around with their sheep safely, while men sat around to enjoy a good rest. The country was peaceful. My heart soon found the comfort as well.
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
Rebuilding the Walls
"Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel.
The Fish gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah...The Jeshanah Gate was repaired...The Valley Gate was repaired...The Dung Gate...The Fountain Gate..." Nehemiah 3:1-..
After long years of servitude, God had started moving on with his plans of restoring his people. In series of events, Israelites moved to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Though the story is about actually rebuilding the temple, every time I read this passage, I think about God rebuilding the temple inside me, one that has been completely ruined by the sins of my heart and the tempests of the world. One by one, the walls are rebuilt by the Israelites. Each section worked by each person. The walls soon come to completion, despite much opposition.
Repeated sins, moral hazards, misdirected anger, feelings of betrayal and general helplessness make it difficult to love. Experiences of pain accumulated started to paralyze my life as a Christian, but one by one, God seemed to mend the walls of my temple. Just like the verses, though, he seemed to work through many people, one by one.
Though it may be a lifelong process, it was good to know that God is still working in me.
The Fish gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah...The Jeshanah Gate was repaired...The Valley Gate was repaired...The Dung Gate...The Fountain Gate..." Nehemiah 3:1-..
After long years of servitude, God had started moving on with his plans of restoring his people. In series of events, Israelites moved to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Though the story is about actually rebuilding the temple, every time I read this passage, I think about God rebuilding the temple inside me, one that has been completely ruined by the sins of my heart and the tempests of the world. One by one, the walls are rebuilt by the Israelites. Each section worked by each person. The walls soon come to completion, despite much opposition.
Repeated sins, moral hazards, misdirected anger, feelings of betrayal and general helplessness make it difficult to love. Experiences of pain accumulated started to paralyze my life as a Christian, but one by one, God seemed to mend the walls of my temple. Just like the verses, though, he seemed to work through many people, one by one.
Though it may be a lifelong process, it was good to know that God is still working in me.
Thursday, June 7, 2018
Thoughts from Psalm 73
"Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.
For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.
They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills.
When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply
till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.
Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.
How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!
They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies."
But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.
For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.
They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills.
When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply
till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.
Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.
How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!
They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies."
Psalm 73:1-5, 16-20
Surely God is great. Surely He is. Yet, the world is full of mysteries I do not understand. It is full of iniquities, unfairness and harm. Even I am perhaps regarded as someone with no human burdens. Maybe I am that healthy, strong and rich. However, I still envy those that have more than me. Those who know God not, yet live perfectly well.
When will I enter your sanctuary? When will I see the destiny of the ungodly? When will I finally know the beauty of your love and live in peace with it? When will I return to you from this place?
Friday, June 1, 2018
Night Thoughts by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Night Thoughts by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Stars, you are unfortunate, I pity you,
Beautiful as you are, shining in your glory,
Who guide seafaring men through stress and peril
And have no recompense from gods or mortals,
Love you do not, nor do you know what love is.
Hours that are aeons urgently conducting
Your figures in a dance through the vast heaven,
What journey have you ended in this moment,
Since lingering in the arms of my beloved
I lost all memory of you and midnight.
Stars, you are unfortunate, I pity you,
Beautiful as you are, shining in your glory,
Who guide seafaring men through stress and peril
And have no recompense from gods or mortals,
Love you do not, nor do you know what love is.
Hours that are aeons urgently conducting
Your figures in a dance through the vast heaven,
What journey have you ended in this moment,
Since lingering in the arms of my beloved
I lost all memory of you and midnight.
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