I was no better than a beast due to alcoholism, but God met me!
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Manmin News
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 14717 |
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September 06, 2005 |
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 Myoungkeun Shin
(5-19th, 3-2nd Men's Mission)
My father died when I was a child, and I was seized by a thought that I would have to make as much money as I could and in the early 1979 I flew to Saudi Arabia as a welder.
Returning from Saudi Arabia
I was so faithful in my work that I won the award from the Minister of Commerce, Employment & Trade, and enough pay that was some comfort to me while working in a foreign country. One day I had my spine severely damaged and had to return to Korea in September that same year.
When I came back, I was greatly shocked to find all the money I had deposited from Saudi Arabia spent. My elder sister ran a money-lending business and lost not only all the money I had deposited but also everything from my brothers and other family members. Finally, she committed suicide.
I was greatly shocked and made speechless. Because of my herniated spinal condition, I could not work. I drank in tears every day. "I could I have earned all that money and it is no more? Now what shall I do?"
To make matter worse, in 1998, I had a traffic accident and was diagnosed with the third degree (moderately severe) disability. From that time on, I became more pessimistic day by day and at last I became an alcoholic. Every time I drank, I broke things in the house and even struck my wife.
Trying to kill myself
Whenever I drank, I behaved in a very disorderly manner in my village and teased many people. They accused me and I was taken away by the police. When taken by the police, I had beaten a policeman and made a mess of things. So, many times I tried to kill myself to put that wretched and tough life to an end, but in vain.
I had to live such a meaningless life. One day in June I was on a chair changing a light bulb and suddenly slipped and fell down to the ground. I had three ribs ruptured. I was in the hospital for a closer examination, but there I discovered the light.
In the March of 2005, I was on the way to my home to Kwangju in Kyongkido. That day I was drunk as usual and got on a city bus. The driver kindly spoke to me, "Have you been drinking?" And he said to me, "Could you visit Manmin Joong-ang Church in Kuro-dong?"
Before then I hurled curse words at those who tried to evangelize me, but that day unexpectedly I answered, "Yes. Fine, I will come." It was a strange thing to me. That bus driver was Deacon Taesang Cho.
Following the light and being guided to Manmin Joong-ang Church
On April 17th, I remembered that promise and to keep the promise, I picked up a syringe and left the hospital. When I arrived at that church, I felt familiar and comfortable with it.
Through the Message of the Cross preached every Sunday morning by Rev. Dr. Jaerock Lee, I became certain of the existence of heaven and hell and of God's love for all men. I realized that my past life was meaningless. When Rev. Dr. Lee said, "When we have realized we are late, if we start, we can make up time by moving faster," I thought he was speaking to me.
After that afternoon service, when I met my parish pastor Rev. Hakyoung Lim, he asked me, "Have you ever seen circular rainbows? Look up at the sky." It was my first time that I have ever seen such a wonderful circular rainbow. It was so beautiful!
A few members of my parish including sub-district leader Deacon Kyoungnam Park advised me to visit Rev. Dr. Lee and receive his prayer. They explained to me that anybody could be healed of any kind of disease if he would just receive his prayer with faith.
After receiving Rev. Dr. Lee's prayer
I didn't completely believe what they said, but followed them anyway. At the parking lot of the church many people stood waiting for their turn to shake hands with him. It was touching to me that they gave their testimonies of healing and blessing to him with such smiles. At last it was my turn. He asked me if I had a problem and what it was. Then he prayed for me with his hand on my body. He said in prayer, "Father, heal him of alcoholism and pain in the ribs in the name of Jesus Christ."
My body shrunk back during his prayer, yet I was greatly moved by his earnest prayer. How thankful it was that he prayed for me who had done so many evil things and was so valueless! I could not sleep that night because of the love of God, the Lord, Senior Pastor and many brothers and sisters. I became determined to attend the church faithfully.
After that something very surprising happened to me. Until that time I had drunk 5 or 6 bottles of liquor a day, but I no longer had a desire to drink. Rather, I felt disgusted just at the smell of liquor and vomited. My wife was surprised and asked me why I did not drink anymore. I completely abstained from a 20-year addiction to drinking through the prayer of Rev. Dr. Lee.
Healed of alcohol addiction and my family was filled with smiles
After I was healed of alcohol addiction and began to live a Christian life, my parish members let me know of the detailed things of spirit and planted faith into my heart. And listening to Rev. Dr. Lee's messages, I apologized to my wife for my past sins and began to help her with running a restaurant - marketing, getting cooking ingredients, and delivering food.
I changed into a gentle husband and evangelized my wife. I told her to work for 6 days and rest and go to church on the Day of the Lord. My wife was curious about the church where I was attending and changed. So, she followed me and eventually registered at Manmin Joong-ang Church on July12th.
Now I work at a construction site because I have recovered good health, and I gave my monthly salary 1,800,000 Won ($1,757 USD) to her for the first time in 20 years. She was so touched that she bought me a car with the money she had deposited for a long time in savings, so that I could drive to my church every week.
I am the happiest when I attend the church with my wife and hear the words of life. I give all thanks and glory to God the Father who changed a wretched family into a happy one and give real thanks to Rev. Dr. Lee who prayed for us with all his sincerity and fed us with the food of life.
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