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23rd November 2011
Pastor David Min CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO ENLARGE
This is the last Seoul Survivors Blog and the first Home Survivors Blog !
Let me introduce you to some lovely new friends that I've been privileged to get to know over the last seven weeks.
Pastor David Min.
Two months ago David was just the name of the senior pastor at Yesuin Church where I would be staying and now he is a friend for life. David and his wife plan to come to Drymen in August 2012. His English is very limited but we have been able to communicate in other ways and as we embraced at the airport he had just three parting words, "David and Jonathan! " I have learned so much from him. I am humbled and challenged by his generosity to me and his faithfulness to his congregation.
John Lee
John was my interpreter and he was with me almost every day. At times our relationship felt a bit strained and awkward but I had to depend on him and in the end we finished up good friends! John is on the left
Samuel
Samuel was ordained as a pastor during my last week in Seoul. Samuel introduced me to sushi and became a real friend. I hope that one day Samuel and Anna and their son Hee will visit us in Drymen.The ladies at the church cafe who served me endless coffees and cakes.
And finally, doing some last minute shopping
Does anyone know the way to Drymen?
 John Lee |
 Samuel |
 The church cake ladys |
 The Shops |
 Time to go home |
17th November 2011
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Light of the world you stepped down into darkness.
Opened my eyes, let me see.
Beauty that made this heart adore You.
Hope of a life spent with You.
My time in Seoul is almost over and i am grateful to God, my family and my congregation for this deep and rewarding experience. Last night we were at a lantern festival right in the heart of Seoul. It was a magical place to be and often I reflected on the worship song that we love to sing in church. " Light of the world you stepped down into darkness "
We are speeding towards Christmas and many people who normally never come to church will come for the Christmas services. It's a time of the year when lots of people are more open and ready to hear the Gospel. I am eager and excited about the prospect of reaching people this Christmas with the Good News.
I am longing to see you and work in partnership with you.
This morning at the 5am prayer meeting i was praying for our valley our churches and for you. It is hard getting up at that time but rewarding and exciting to meet with brothers and sisters in Christ.
Let us pray for each other as we prepare for the weeks ahead.
Opened my eyes, let me see.
Beauty that made this heart adore You.
Hope of a life spent with You.
My time in Seoul is almost over and i am grateful to God, my family and my congregation for this deep and rewarding experience. Last night we were at a lantern festival right in the heart of Seoul. It was a magical place to be and often I reflected on the worship song that we love to sing in church. " Light of the world you stepped down into darkness "
We are speeding towards Christmas and many people who normally never come to church will come for the Christmas services. It's a time of the year when lots of people are more open and ready to hear the Gospel. I am eager and excited about the prospect of reaching people this Christmas with the Good News.
I am longing to see you and work in partnership with you.
This morning at the 5am prayer meeting i was praying for our valley our churches and for you. It is hard getting up at that time but rewarding and exciting to meet with brothers and sisters in Christ.
Let us pray for each other as we prepare for the weeks ahead.
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12th November 2011
CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO ENLARGE
A new recruit in The Korean army !
It's only now as I sit with my laptop that the significance of yesterday has hit me. We had gone north to DMZ on November 11th ! DMZ is the Korean Demilitarised Zone, a strip of land that separates the north from the south. It's the most heavily militarised border in the world. As well as watchtowers, razor wire and land mines, there's also an incredible 2 million troops stationed along it's 151 mile border! Just 3 days ago a North Korean civilian was shot dead while trying to escape from his country.
North Korea is the most dangerous place on earth for Christians.
Pastor David Min is a chaplain to the Korean Army and so we were able to get into restricted areas. It was a huge privilege and I found myself quietly praying (on Nov.11th) for men and women serving our country, for their protection and security. You will be in my prayers on Remembrance Sunday and especially Stuart as he leads you in worship. I have a busy day here with three services.
In 1975 four tunnels were discovered going under the DMZ. The tunnels were to be used for a military invasion from the North to the South. We joined some of the soldiers and walked along tunnel number four under the DMZ. An awesome experience !
It's only now as I sit with my laptop that the significance of yesterday has hit me. We had gone north to DMZ on November 11th ! DMZ is the Korean Demilitarised Zone, a strip of land that separates the north from the south. It's the most heavily militarised border in the world. As well as watchtowers, razor wire and land mines, there's also an incredible 2 million troops stationed along it's 151 mile border! Just 3 days ago a North Korean civilian was shot dead while trying to escape from his country.
North Korea is the most dangerous place on earth for Christians.
Pastor David Min is a chaplain to the Korean Army and so we were able to get into restricted areas. It was a huge privilege and I found myself quietly praying (on Nov.11th) for men and women serving our country, for their protection and security. You will be in my prayers on Remembrance Sunday and especially Stuart as he leads you in worship. I have a busy day here with three services.
In 1975 four tunnels were discovered going under the DMZ. The tunnels were to be used for a military invasion from the North to the South. We joined some of the soldiers and walked along tunnel number four under the DMZ. An awesome experience !
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10th November 2011
Preaching in DaeGil Presbyterian Church. CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO ENLARGE
As I write this blog on my laptop I'm listening to some Hillsong and Tim hughes, 'Light of the world" and 'Happy Day.' Just a hint of homesickness in my heart for family and friends and church. A timely email from David Armstrong put me back on an even keel : " Alex, don't be homesick, it's dark and cold and wet back home ! "
Anyway, all is well here and for most of the time I am just thrilled to be in Korea.
Wednesday 9th Nov.
In the morning I visited Torch Theological College in Seoul. I met some of the staff and also some students, one of them had studied at Aberdeen University!
In the afternoon I met the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Japan. He is on a one week visit to Seoul and it was a real honour to meet him and hear about the church in Japan.
In the picture (below left) the Moderator is on my right and David Min is on my left. (He is the senior pastor in the church where I'm staying)
In the evening I was preaching in DaeGil Presbyterian Church. They were celebrating their 55th birthday and were astonished when I told them that our church was built in 1771. I was the first Scottish pastor to preach at their church.
I thought you might like the pink robes worn by the choir !
Tomorrow I go with Andrew and Pastor Min up to DMZ. We are taking our passports with us. We should get some good photographs of the border between the north and south.
Anyway, all is well here and for most of the time I am just thrilled to be in Korea.
Wednesday 9th Nov.
In the morning I visited Torch Theological College in Seoul. I met some of the staff and also some students, one of them had studied at Aberdeen University!
In the afternoon I met the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Japan. He is on a one week visit to Seoul and it was a real honour to meet him and hear about the church in Japan.
In the picture (below left) the Moderator is on my right and David Min is on my left. (He is the senior pastor in the church where I'm staying)
In the evening I was preaching in DaeGil Presbyterian Church. They were celebrating their 55th birthday and were astonished when I told them that our church was built in 1771. I was the first Scottish pastor to preach at their church.
I thought you might like the pink robes worn by the choir !
Tomorrow I go with Andrew and Pastor Min up to DMZ. We are taking our passports with us. We should get some good photographs of the border between the north and south.
 The Moderator is on my right and David Min is on my left |
 DaeGil Presbyterian Church. |
 I thought you might like the pink robes worn by the choir ! |
 Autumn in Korea. I guess I can put the sunglasses away when i get back home. |
8th November 2011
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There is a hero. It's not you or me. It's always Jesus.
God demonstrates His love for us in this: while sinners, while rebelling, Christ died for us.
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5th November 2011
CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO ENLARGE. As darkness falls Japan comes to life.
From the Land of the Rising Sun
 Bruce and Naoko. They were in Drymen church earlier this year for Amy Lander's wedding |
 More healthy food! |
 Which lobster would you like for lunch? |
 This was one step too far for me. Raw salmon eggs! |
 Lots of temples. |
 Time for an ice cream. |
 Me and my Japanese cady |
 The club house |
 Time for my flight back to Seoul. |
27th Oct 2011
(Click on any picture to enlarge) This is me with pastor Sung Kyu Lee
I'm eager to share this latest blog. Last night the congregation preached a sermon to the minister! This is Kim (picture bottom right) (I struggled with his surname!) He is the most recent convert from the North. He has only been here for a few months and yet he is talking about going back to his country to rescue his family and bring them into this grace filled church that they too may discover his God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
 This is Sung Chi Hang |
 Kim a recent convert from the North |
24th Oct 2011
Click on photos to enlarge
Have you ever wondered what the biggest church in the world looks like inside? This is it
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Oct 19th 2011
Click on Photos to Enlarge
This is the view from the highest point in Seoul. A short ride on the cable car takes you to Namsan Tower.
The views from the top are spectacular, especially at night looking right across Seoul. The most amazing thing to me was to discover tens of thousands of paddle locks all fixed to the railings. Seemingly a few years ago in a Korean movie there was a scene where a young couple left a pad lock on the railings as a symbol of their love for each other. Since then thousands of them have been left every year by couples to demonstrate their strong and permanent love for each other.
High up in Seoul I was struck by the permanent, unchanging, love of God for each one of us and the greatest sign of all, THE CROSS.
From Seoul Tower dozens of huge neon crosses light up the night sky. It doesn't matter where you are in the world, the sign of the cross speaks louder than words.
There's always time for an ice cream!
My preaching schedule has been fixed up. I will be preaching every Sunday in small and large churches of different denominations. The one I am looking forward to most of all is a North Korean Church with a North Korean pastor situated near the border. This will be a huge honour and I will learn so much from the persecuted church. Thanks for your emails and prayers, they mean so much to me.
Shalom
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Oct 14th 2011
Click on photos to enlarge
KOREAN LANTERNS
Sometimes you are just in the right place at the right time for a Kodak moment. Okay, it wasn't me with my iPhone it was Andrew with his Nikon camera!
Last Sunday I preached my first sermon in Korea. I was in Sanbon Jungang Presbyterian Church. (70% of the churches in Korea are Presbyterian) Here I am before the service starts, the translator was more nervous than I was. Don't be fooled by his jet black hair, most of the men in Korea dye their hair..including pastors. Yes, I thought about it for one second.
This is me in action. Great privilege! Great honour! The people are so warm and friendly and we now have a church in Korea praying every week for Drymen and Buchanan Churches. They had our church web page up on the big screen behind me.
It has been great having Ruth out here and I know it meant so much to Andrew to spend some time with his mum.
I miss you all back home. You are in my prayers. Big thanks to those who are preaching, you are feeding my soul out here in Korea.
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11th Oct 2011
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Ruth arrived in Seoul at 11.30am on Saturday after a 16 hour journey. It was an emotional moment for Andrew and Ruth, meeting up after 7 months. Just over an hour after arriving at the church flat we had a surprise invitation to the wedding of one of the pastors. This is him with his new wife.
We had a fabulous day on Sunday. Details and photographs in the next blog.
 Here we are tucking into the wedding buffet - Korean style! There was an amazing selection of all kinds of unusual foods. Ruth is the one on the left! |
 Andrew and I trying to keep up with the rest of the wedding guests who have been using chopsticks for years. |
 At the end of the day Ruth just had enough energy to make it to the firework display in the centre of Seoul. We were there along with what seemed like millions of others. |
7th October 2011
For some time I have been praying and wondering about some of the things that would impact my life out here. The Korean papers have been full of stories about 9 North Korean defectors who escaped on a small boat and made it to South Korea. Being a Christian in North Korea is considered to be one of the worst crimes you can commit and an estimated 40.0000 Christians are in prison labour camps because of their faith. For 8 straight years Open Doors has ranked North Korea as the world's worst persecutor of Christians. Recently a 33 year old woman was publicly executed for giving out Bibles.
Pray for believers in North Korea who follow Jesus at great risk. ( I will try and do something for next months prayer diary).
I have just finished reading a great book on North Korea that Frances Lander gave me before I came out, it's called 'Nothing to Envy' by Barbara Demick. It is a real eye opener to the poverty and discrimination in that country and it would be good if some of you could read it. I may have the chance to meet up with some members of the underground church who are now living in South Korea. That would be a real honour to meet with persecuted Christians. At the moment much of this is just in the pipe line and I don't know if it will actually take place.
Thank you if you are following this blog. Some of you have emailed me and i love to hear from you and will reply to all your emails.
You are in my prayers.
Alex
5th October 2011
MacDonalds in Seoul
FAST FOOD
At last a McDonalds. I get to eat my food without chopsticks!
And it is cooked and I know what I am eating..getting better.
SOUL FOOD
Things are becoming a little clearer concerning my preaching commitments. I am on at 9am this Sunday in another church, I will be preaching in different churches every week,always with a translator. This will give me a real feel for the different churches and how God is working in seoul. I feel privileged and humbled. I hope also to be introduced to some of the staff at Yoido Full Gospel Church. This is a huge Pentecostal church, the largest church in the world with an active membership of 1 million! I doubt I will get to preach there, but you never know. Watch this space. Im off now for a big mac.
At last a McDonalds. I get to eat my food without chopsticks!
And it is cooked and I know what I am eating..getting better.
SOUL FOOD
Things are becoming a little clearer concerning my preaching commitments. I am on at 9am this Sunday in another church, I will be preaching in different churches every week,always with a translator. This will give me a real feel for the different churches and how God is working in seoul. I feel privileged and humbled. I hope also to be introduced to some of the staff at Yoido Full Gospel Church. This is a huge Pentecostal church, the largest church in the world with an active membership of 1 million! I doubt I will get to preach there, but you never know. Watch this space. Im off now for a big mac.
 This is the front entrance to Yesuin Church. I know what your thinking..looks more like a hotel than a church. |
3rd October 2011
The night before flying out to Seoul.
The night before flying out to Seoul. Can you believe that we are so chilled? I can just hear you saying, "OH yes we know what Alex is like!"
It was great to see Andrew at the airport in Seoul with two of the 12 pastors that serve in Yesuin Church. Everyone here is so polite and it is a joy to meet so many Christians. Tomorrow I am going to try and familiarise myself with the huge and complicated metro. That will be a challenge.
Today is a Korean holiday so I have spent most of the time with Andrew and a really nice pastor from the church.
My first official duty will be to preach at the 2 o'clock service this Sunday. Do keep me in your prayers.
 Samuel introduces us to sushi, it is tricky using chop sticks and it takes me twice the time to eat a meal! |
 chong mal tta-gindeyo. That's Korean for, 'this is hitting the spot.' |
