 Elder Jongeul Kim (Gumi Manmin Church, Assistant Director of Public Affairs Division of TK Chemical)
Last December I was inaugurated as an elder. Before I went to church, I believed in Buddhism because I was influenced by my mother who was an earnest Buddhist. My mother used to add my family's names onto the lamps that are decorations hanging on the temple on the birthday of Buddha. How great is the love and grace of God that now God has blessed me to become an elder!
My Wife Fell into Depression Raising Our Children
In 1994, my wife and I were becoming nervous about her not getting pregnant even in ten months of our marriage. "Lord, please let us have our baby. We seriously need one."
My wife prayed in the church everyday and at last she conceived twins and I was overjoyed. In October of next year, the birth of the twins brought big changes to our lives.
The twins were very weak and often got sick. My wife and I were not able to fall into deep sleep at night. There was no distinction between day and night. My wife used to spend the whole night struggling with the twins. This went on and on. What is worse was that she had a herniated disk. I hardly ever saw her smile and she seemed so exhausted. She was frequently quick-tempered at small things and our conversations stopped. I saw her sitting alone absent-mindedly for long periods of time or she would be sobbing in a corner of the house. She finally fell into depression.
Nonetheless I was so busy at work, so I couldn't take good care of her. The house was in a mess. And the happiness had gone because I became sharp tempered as well.
I Was Impressed to See My Wife Change After She Was Healed.
One day in 1997, she found her smile back on her face and her way of talking also changed. She even hummed hymn songs. And strangely, she tried to listen to me whatever I spoke to her, and the house was cleaned up again, unlike the mess before. 'What made her change like that?' I had doubts whether or not she was my wife!
"After I went to Gumi Manmin Church, I felt the love of God. I realized that life is so precious."
My wife said she was healed of her depression and whatever she did, she always rejoiced and was happy.
But I flatly opposed what she had said. I would not tolerate two different religions in the family. Of course I was happy to see changes in my wife, but I was worried thinking that my mother would be very upset at a different religion. But the more I objected to her going to church, the kinder she became and she tried to serve me and made me comfortable. Besides she said she was praying for me. My anger was melting down.
And whenever I drove my wife and kids to church I received a good feeling about it. So I came to think that the church is not that bad.
I Realized True Meaning of Life by the Word of Life
In August 1998, I participated in Men's Mission Summer Retreat by my wife's earnest pleas. I experienced surprising things. It was raining all day because it was the rainy season. But when the time came when Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee was going to preach the message, clouds began to disappear and there was a blue sky.
I thought, "It is still raining in other areas. How could possibly this thing happen?"
I majored in mechanical engineering. I believed only things that are visible and evident such as "One plus one equals two." The existence of the invisible God, however, knocked on the door to my heart. And that finally led me to enroll in the church.
Later I was deeply touched when I learned God's providence of the cultivation of mankind through Dr. Lee's Book 'The Message of the Cross.' Having been raised in a rural village, I had a deep understanding of God's separating the wheat from the chaff at the time of harvest.
And I realized that we have to seek goodness and righteousness because it is the will of God to accomplish goodness that is the heart of God and to live an upright and good life.
Thus, I learned true meaning of life and tried my best to live by the word of God. I began to attend the Daniel Prayer Meeting every night. At first I found nothing left to pray after I said a few words in prayer, and kneeling down for prayer was not easy either. But I have now been praying for 10 years every night by the grace of God!
Overflowing Happiness at Home and My Workplace
Meantime I had an opportunity to look back on my life of faith. On March 22, 2005 my son Taeyoung broke his right leg riding on a skateboard. The bone was broken to 3 pieces and he had to receive surgery to fix the bones with pins. My wife and I repented of having quarreled with each other and received the prayer from Senior Pastor. Then, Taeyoung's broken bones were put together and his leg was healed without surgery.
God also let me reflect upon myself in my workplace. I often raised my voice toward my fellow workers when I was annoyed while working. When I was praying, God showed me their faces and let me feel their hearts. I thought, "How much have I hurt other's feelings?" and I repented and tried to be gentle and seek peace with them. Now I am very thankful to God because I am told that they feel comfortable around me.
My parents have registered at Daegu Manmin Church and my twin sons are already in the middle school. They are both in good shape and pray hard. My wife is my prayer mate and supporter in church works. The spiritual love between us is growing day by day.
I give all the glory and thanks to God who healed my wife's depression and let us realize the true meaning of life and accomplish a happy family in the Lord.
X-ray of Taeyoung
1. The bone broken into 3 parts
2. The bone put together after prayer
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- Deacon Injoon Chun (1-3 Canaan Mission; Dramax Cable Broadcasting)
Deacons Hyosu Han and Byunghwa Lim
And amazingly even after the accident, neither of us had scratches and bruises on our body. The police arrived at the scene and were surprised to see us not injured at all.
- Hyungbae Park (1-1 Canaan Mission)
The Book that Causes the Readers to Realize the Importance of Salvation