As a prodigal son, I will serve the Lord for the rest of my life
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 12989 |
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December 27, 2009 |
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 Deacon Samson Kim
(14-1 Parish, 3-3 Men's Mission)
Deacon Samson Kim smiling in a Hallelujah Volunteers' Mission uniform in the sixth sanctuary where patient members worship
There is a man who has a special feeling when Christmas comes around every year. His name is Samson Kim, 55, of Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi Province. Even now, he silently kneels down and prays the following prayer:
"Lord! Thank You for forgiving me of my sins in the same way You welcomed the prodigal son. From now on, I will not live a foolish life of repeating a cycle of committing sins and repenting; rather, I wish to live by the Word by understanding the heart and will of God. Please help me to always glorify You amidst the joy of salvation and the hope of heaven."
Deacon Kim was led to church by his wife in 1989. But he didn't understand the messages preached from the podium. He reluctantly attended Sunday Morning Services and then went straight to gamble. Finally, his factory was handed over to someone else, and his family had to constantly move from place to place. He felt so sorry to his family and ashamed of himself that he couldn't even lift up his face. Finally, one December day in 1994, he left home and wandered in the streets for 5 years. He made his income by getting a free share of winnings at a gambling place. One day, he was harshly insulted at the gambling place. He began to miss his wife and home, but didn't have the courage to meet his family again.
Then in May of 1999, he heard about the distorted reports about our church made by MBC (Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation). He thought the church would face great difficulty and his family would suffer a lot as well. He found this to be the chance to go back to his family. His wife, Senior Deaconess In-ok Kang, was very thankful for his coming back rather than being contemptuous toward him. The Senior Pastor also encouraged him to lead a life of faith as well. However, this didn't last long. He was tormented by financial problems. He had to come up with living expenses and pay for his two daughters' school fees. Without a decent job, each day was like torture.
After a year, in the summer of 2000, Deacon Kim left home again and drove a taxi for the first time in his life. He thought he had to earn some cash before going back home. Of course, he didn't go to church. But things didn't go as well as he wanted. Despite a year of toil, he returned home only with a disease. He had gastric perforation and had to undergo surgery.
After this, he became poor in heart. He tried to change himself. His family also held onto God and fasted for him. Several times God gave him the grace to repent with tears. His family began to find peace. He didn't hesitate to take on hard labor to support his family. Even though the work was demanding, he gained strength by thinking about his family.
His wife was overwhelmed when Deacon Kim handed her 8 hundreds of thousand won ($800 in U.S currency) one payday.
"Darling! This is all by the grace of God. Let us save our money and sow for God's kingdom." They decided to offer three hundreds of thousand won ($300 in U.S currency) as GCN-Manmin TV mission offering. In addition, Deacon Kim looked around all corners of the church and did volunteer work. He then became a building manager for a shopping center in Ilsan. Goyang City, Gyeonggi Province, with the help of Deacon Jongkwon Kim. But the job was difficult, since he had no experience in this field. When he wanted to quit, he reminded himself of the Senior Pastor's message. It was humbleness and serving others. So he began to treat tenants with politeness all the time. Then, they became grateful and in return, tried to help him. And after one year, he became so qualified as a building manager that he was blessed to manage one more building.
Deacon Kim confesses that all of this is by the Lord's grace and the Senior Pastor's love. The Lord always led him with love, even though he left the church twice. He tried to do whatever he could to pay back the grace he received. So he decided to join the Hallelujah Volunteers' Mission.
"I didn't even feel disgusted when I had to wipe after a patient's bowel movement. I am just thankful that a person like me can serve others."
Deacon Kim has now been helping wheelchair-dependent members every Sunday for the 3 years. Rain or shine, hot or cold, with a bright smile on his face, he diligently helps members in wheelchairs.
"I sometimes shed tears when I think about the Lord's love that forgave me, like the prodigal son, and blessed me with a new life. I am a person who received a grace that I can't pay back for the rest of my life."
With thankfulness for the Lord's grace, Deacon Kim commits himself to live a life of helping his neglected and needy neighbors.
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Manmin News 
