Dearest friends and family:
As you may be well aware, this August, my Korea venture will come to a close as I will be returning to the U.S. to begin a graduate program in International Affairs. During my final days in the motherland, God has put it on my heart to take part in a 5-day English Unification Camp (July 22-26) to bring together middle and high school-aged students of North and South Korean descent to learn English, study God’s Word, share His love, and dialogue on the matter of Korean reunification.
During my time in Korea, I have had the privilege of meeting a girl with a heart so big that I am uncertain at times how her now 22-year old body can contain it . She came to South Korea over a decade ago as a North Korean defector bearing through treacherous conditions, walking up to 10-12 hours a day across country borders to find momentary safe havens at great risk, even being caught and detained once in Cambodia. Some of you may have heard the news of the nine young North Koreans repatriated to North Korea recently from Laos; this could have easily been this girl’s fate as well, but God had a different plan in mind.
Her family was released from the prison and eventually granted refugee status to settle in South Korea. While experiencing the culture shock of Seoul’s modernized, high-pressure success-driven society, she faced difficulties adjusting in South Korea’s public school system. She fell into the “wrong” crowd, until she experienced a wake-up call overhearing her parents express regret over leaving North Korea*. After that, she remained quiet and out of trouble, but felt she could not fully be herself or fit-in anywhere. In high school, she was transferred to Heavenly Dreams School—a Christian school developed specifically to meet the needs of NK refugee youth. She came to know Christ in 2009—which has, since, turned her world upside-down (in a good way). Over the past three years, I have been able to witness this girl grow in her relationship with God, find strength and confidence recognizing her identity as His beloved daughter, and overcome spiritual battles to reveal His glory as she learns to surrender her life and trust Him in increasing measure.
Alongside her, I have been personally learning these same lessons. Learning to trust Him even when I don’t see the complete picture, requiring me to walk by faith and not by sight. Moving to Boston and going back to school, taking part in this local mission trip, writing this support letter … are a matter of trust and obedience. As Jubilee Church partners with Heavenly Dreams School in hosting this camp, I do not know what God will do nor do I know the reason why I have been called to serve this group of youth on this particular occasion.
I am merely following His lead as I ask you to partner with me through financial support and prayer. My goal is to raise 350,000 KRW which would cover my expenses and contribute to a scholarship fund for NK refugee students to attend this camp. Specific prayer requests are: 1) for cohesiveness in purpose and team unity as we go through intensive training from June 29~every Saturday until the camp, 2) that the hearts of the camp participants will be well-tilled and ready to receive whatever God has in store, and 3) personally, for stability of mind and strength of spirit as the next month and a half unwinds—that I will be able to focus on the things that God wants me to and be faithful with what is right in front of me.
Thank you always for your immense support and for being part of my life. Excited. I hope you are too. =)
Expectant of God’s Faithfulness.
Heart and Blessings (*fist pound),
~Lila
*NK refugees even after escape face many hardships adjusting to South Korean society; many even regret leaving their home country where at least they were familiar with how to navigate the socio-cultural environs. Encountered with various forms of prejudice (including discriminatory hiring processes) cumulated with other social and economic difficulties create tensions in marital and familial relationships, while their children are maladjusted to the school system and trying to cope with various emotional issues from trauma.