DMZ...

Monday, we made a day-trip to the DMZ... the area dividing South and North Korea. DMZ stands for Demilitarized Zone (for those that didn't know already!). My cousin and her husband thought it was really weird of me to suggest going to such a place, but they were gracious to take me (I think it was an educational experience for the entire family!). When we neared the border separating the two countries, I was feeling various emotions about the whole thing (can't really describe in words... still have lots of process and didn't get to since I don't seem to have any time by myself!). Playing games in the back of the car with Jihae and Jihoon (my niece and nephew), we neared Paju City and got out to load into the tour bus which led us to the Observatory. We were astounded (all of us!) to see how close we actually were to NK (from Imjin River)... 360 M!

We got to the Freedom Bridge and saw lots of everyting. From signs and ribbons to clothing and prayer cards, it was pretty evident to everyone visiting that re-unification was not only favoured, but seemed to be the only represented voice there. When I asked my cousin on whether this was the attitude for most South Koreans, she gave me an interesting, yet very much the anticipated answer. Most modern-day South Koreans do not really want re-unification (recall East and West Germany)... Those that heavily support re-unification are the older generation, who have a greater solidarity to those in the North (10 million Koreans have separated families)... hmmm... lots to ponder and think about...
Lots observed and somehow in the midst of all the conflict (I just found out today on CNN that a NK soldier fired two shots at SK soldier at the border on Monday before the sunset... eerie thing was we departed the DMZ just before the sunset... but we didn't hear any gun shots!), His purposes and His Ways will always trump our ways. There is prayer/fasting movement on behalf of NK happening in clusters around the world (July 7-August 15, 2006)... God is definitely listening and will move in His perfect timing for His glory sake... I'd be very interested to know what will happen in the upcoming months ahead (especially 2007!)