When you ponder about the situation in North Korea, what comes to your head? We all hear about the nuclear crisis (or non-crisis) going on and the millions who go hungry every day... North Korea seems so far away, almost unreal, unconnected with the rest of the world that we live and engage in... We know about the plight and the poverty, but do we really believe that that's what's REALLY happening? At least I don't sometimes...

I imagine myself (being Korean and all) being born in North Korea... I can't even fathom what life would've been like, growing up and living there. Being forced to learn "Kim Il Sung"-ism and not being able to read the Bible... We heard in yesterday's sermon to not neglect the Word ("Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God"). It's funnny how in our North American context, we need to hear this kind of preaching when in another part of the world, they're not able to "neglect the Word," because they're not allowed to read the Word! I know that every context is different (contextual ministry), but living here in this affluent/accessible nation, we take for granted what others are dying (literally) to have... Bread, yes. Word, definitely yes. How is it that we're here when they're there? I know that it's all in God's Will (and I totally trust that), but it just doesn't seem fair that we can live here, when others are suffering for the sake of the Gospel... I know, I know. We suffer persecution here too, and I'm very much aware of that (and have experienced it too to some extent)... but it just doesn't seem fair.

I have never been to NK ever, so I have no field experience to even write these comments down... but hearing, reading and listening to the reports from those that DID enter the "most secretive nation in the world," it seems that these horrendous stories that we hear (of people starving to death... even to the point of eating their own kids!!!) is, on the most part, true.

For those of us that are not CALLED to go just yet (not unless the country opens), we can "GO" by praying and interceding for our brothers and sisters dying every day for the sake of Christ our Saviour and Lord. I cry while writing this, because God moves my heart each day for the people crying out to Him to save them from the suffering and anguish that they are experiencing each day; every hour; every minute.

Watch this: North Korea Prayer Focus Click "3 MB Download"

J