Click here to read this column in Korean.
Many churches were at leisure over the summer months as members went away to cottages and other vacation destinations. Yet at the same time, many churches were busy organizing summer special mission projects such as youth camp, VBS, community projects and short term mission trips. Many groups from various regions went out as mission teams to share, serve, and build relationships with others. I believe they all came back with experiences they will cherish for the rest of their lives. I still have a vivid memory from my first mission trip. There I was shocked by the living condition of the people and learned a precious lesson – we have to share. The impact was so great I ended up going back on many other trips in following years.
Eastern Europe was the moderator's official trip for 2008. The PCC has built a strong relationship with the Reformed Churches in Hungary and Ukraine. This year we have extended our partnership with the Reformed Church in Romania. We have signed a mission covenant with them.
Karen and I went to Budapest, Hungary in July. We arrived there about nine hours later than our schedule due to the timely cancellation of the connecting flight. We had to take a train instead. We were tired yet very thankful to get there. Our friend Ron (Rev. Dr. Ron Wallace, Associate Secretary of International Ministries) was already there yet they lost his luggage. I was not sure which case was worse. (They found his bags in Helsinki, Finland and brought them back two days later.) Every single mission trip has its own story.
We were very impressed by the challenging and proud history of the Reformed Church in the area. All three countries fell under Soviet Russia's invasion and suffered terribly. The government confiscated church properties. Hungarians have contributed so much to the survival of their church during this very difficult time. After the infrastructure of the society collapsed, churches took back the schools, hospitals and other properties. Most properties are damaged so badly, it will take much time and money to restore them. Yet I saw churches work hard and diligently.
Churches are getting back to shape. I was very impressed to see how eager they were to share and care, although they didn't have enough. They seemed to do more than we who live in abundance and comfort. After visiting many places, meeting with church officials, and talking with ordinary people, I was convinced God was in charge. He was doing great things with His people to restore justice and peace in the area.
I'd like to acknowledge the generous members of our church who gave to help brothers and sisters in the region. We have been working, through International Ministries and Presbyterian World Service and Development, with members of the Reformed Churches in Romania, Hungary and Ukraine and I am confident that through your prayers and support, we will continue to work with these churches.
I owe an acknowledgement for the committed and devoted works of three missionaries of our own in the region. Mary Gorombey is working with the Reformed Church in Hungary. She is working for the refugees in the country and her co-workers regard her as a wonderful and hard working servant. David Pandy-Szekeres is working with the Reformed Church of Sub-Carpathian Ukraine. He is truly a multi-talented servant. His three young children are also junior missionaries, not to mention his wife Anna. Brian Johnston is an English and music teacher working with the Theological Seminary of the Hungarian Reformed Church in Romania. They really set a wonderful example for us. I'd like to ask you for continuous prayer and support. Mission work is the main reason of our own existence. We all should either send or be sent. Let us participate and make the difference. God is calling us all to his mission.
