"Ten-year-old Hyun Joo was different. Few North Korean children know about God. But Hyun Joo believed in God and trusted Him. Hun Joo’s parents were Christians. They shared their faith with their daughter even though they knew they might be punished if officials found out. The country’s leaders want to people to honor them, not God. Hyun Joo’s parents wanted her to know about Jesus, in spite of the obstacles. They prayed that God would use her to change North Korea. One day, Hyun Joo’s aunt, Mrs. Kim, came to her home for a visit. But the house was empty. The family had vanished. A friend later told Mrs. Kim what had happened. Hyun Joo’s teacher at school had asked her, “how did you get such a good grade on your test today?” “By God’s grace,” Hyun Joo answered. The teacher was angry. She dragged Hyun Joo out of the classroom. Then her family disappeared. No doubt the government took them away. No one has heard from them since. Inspired by reading about North Koreans like Hyun Joo, a church made up of about forty neighborhood kids in St. Marc, Haiti, decided to help North Koreans are very poor, often sick, and do not always have clean drinking water or enough food. The Haitian believers understood what it was like to be without. They, too, lived in poverty. But the teacher explained that North Koreans have additional obstacles. They can not go to church when they want to, or own a Bible, or learn about Jesus. The Haitian children said they would be very afraid if they did not have God to help them. When the teacher told them how VOM launches Scripture balloons into North Korea, the Haitian children offered to help. One little boy handed the teacher a Haitian dollar, worth twenty cents in the U.S. Other children gave what little they had to send to OM to help North Koreans learn about God. Even though the children had their own problems to overcome, they felt excited to help North Korean children who suffer from the greatest tragedy of all-- being without Jesus. 'We as Haitians need to be more thankful,' said one."
As I read this story in the Voice of the Martyrs newsletter, tears came to my eyes almost immediately. Having been to Haiti (the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere) this September, I saw first hand what I had been told by many people before: the beautiful country of Haiti has so much poverty. However, these Haitian children, although themselves overwhelmed by many needs, gave their resources in order to help the people of North Korea. So often I even forget to pray and give faithfully for the persecuted church. Even though I have been blessed beyond measure, have all of my needs completely fulfilled, have been saved by a holy GOD, have a wonderful family and friends, and much more (believe me the list could go on and on and on), I so often forget to do so many things. I could share the gospel with people I meet more. I could take advantage of more opportunities to give, I could pray more faithfully, I could give more to the persecuted church (just like the children in Haiti, who probably had next to nothing). The point is this: I COULD DO SO MUCH MORE FOR GOD'S KINGDOM!
The above story made me realize just how guilty I am of not doing all I can. After all, God has given me the greatest gift, salvation! (Plus many more gifts!). What can I do but give Him back everything that He first gave me? Isn't this the very least that He deserves?
I just wanted to share a little bit of what God's been teaching me lately... God has some very wonderful ways of humbling me! Whether it's through a ten-year-old girl in North Korea that I've never met, or some little school children in Haiti (again whom I've never met!) But the main thing I wanted to say is this: would you be in prayer for me? Would you pray that I would serve God more, give Him more... give Him my everything? I would really appreciate it! And it would be my joy to pray for you, too, if you have any prayer requests. Thanks guys!!!
"...From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded..." Luke 12:48
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