The Love of the Lord Made Me Happy Even in This Foreign Land
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 14220 |
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February 26, 2012 |
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Deaconess Bokyung Kim (Ida Manmin Church in Japan)
I went over to Japan to attend the graduate school in May, 2001. I had attended church when living in Korea, but it was hard to find a church in Japan. Feeling distressed, I really wanted to go to church. At the moment, my Lord came to me.
I Was Touched by Dr. Jaerock Lee's Books
In the early 2003, Missionary Changmi Lee gave me Dr. Lee's testimonial book Tasting Eternal Life before Death. Reading it, I was deeply moved. Then, I began to attend Osaka Manmin Church. I also read his book The Message of the Cross, which let me realize why I have to believe. Through another book The Measure of Faith, I came to know what a true Christian life is like. It dawned on me that I spiritually had wandered for I didn't know such truth.
Reading the books that contain the core of the Bible, I received a lot of grace and I became sure that I finally met the true shepherd. I talked about the church and Dr. Lee to my boy friend, Kawakuchi at that time. In April, 2003, he experienced healing of serious pollen allergy by the power of God. And he became a Christian.
I Got Married and My Father-in-law Met God
In January, 2004, Kawakuchi and I got married and lived with his father. There was a Buddhist shrine in the home. But I could freely lead a Christian life since my father-in-law was a gentle and kind man. He let me do so.
My father-in-law had suffered from ringing in ears for nine years. It was the cause of him being unable to hear low sounds. In September 2004, I heard about the 2004 Japan Handkerchief Healing Meetings (Acts 19:11-12) that would be held with Pastor Heesun Lee. My father-in-law attended the meeting and received Pastor Lee's handkerchief prayer. He said that he had felt something come out from the top of his head. Then, the symptom of ringing in ears disappeared. He came to hear normally.
In August 2005, he passed away. At that time, a smile broke out across his face. My husband said, "I've never seen him smile that brightly." Seeing him, my husband and I came to be assured about the existence of Heaven and our faith increased.
I Enlarged My Heart-field with Prayer
The Buddhist culture is spread here and there in Japan. There were often conflicts in families because of different religions. My family was no exception. Although my husband was a generous man, I often had troubles with my family-in-law due to the cultural difference or difference in values.
In May, 2007, I moved to Ida and started to attend Ida Manmin Church. I performed my duty earnestly. I thought I'd led a good Christian life. But I couldn't bear abundant fruit. I tried to discover myself and studied myself thoroughly.
I realized that I had usually blamed some of my troubles on others. I changed my mind-set and endeavored to admit my faults. With a humble heart, I respected others and prayed for my husband with all my heart. I prayed to get rid of arrogance, ill-feeling, and the like during Daniel Prayer Meeting every night. I also asked God to help me understand different kinds of people in my workplace and He gave me strength from above to do so. In this way, I circumcised my heart, which led to answers and blessings.
Blessing both in Spirit and Body Runs Over in My Family
In February 2008, I joined Citizen Watches which is a well-known watch manufacturer. After discussing it with my husband, I gave all my first salary to God. God who was pleased with my deed of faith blessed my husband. He was given paid vacation along with pay raise of 50,000 yen. I also was protected from a sweeping restructuring of my company.
In November 2011, we were blessed to have a new house. In January 2012, my 7-year-old daughter, Yuri had flu and a fever up to almost 103 ℉ (39.4 °C). I repented that I had been hot-tempered and burst out in anger trying to teach her. Then, her fever quickly abated. Through this occasion, I was blessed to demolish my self-righteousness and self-framework.
My husband has become a faithful worker for God's kingdom acting as the president of Men's Mission for three years in a row. He even attends the Dawn Prayer Meeting held in the early morning. I am working as a vice president of Women's Mission and a guidance teacher of Wheat Children Praise Team. I can't say how happy I am seeing my family united as one transcending the nationality. I give thanks to the Lord of love.
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