"I give thanks to God who enabled me to adopt as my foster son, the enemy who killed my sons."
Pastor Yang Won Sohn took care of the lepers with all his strength. He was also put in prison for refusing to worship at Japanese war shrines under Japanese rule in Korea. Despite his dedicated work for God, he had to hear shocking news.
In October 1948, two of his sons were killed by leftist soldiers in a rebellion against the ruling authorities. Ordinary people would have complained toward God saying, "If God is alive, how can He do this to me?"
But he just gave thanks that his two sons were martyred and were in Heaven at the side of the Lord. Furthermore, he forgave the rebel who killed his two sons and even adopted him as his son. He gave thanks to God in nine aspects of thanks at the funeral of his sons that has so very deeply touched the hearts of so many people.
1. I give thanks for my sons becoming martyrs even though they were born of my bloodline, for I am so full of iniquities.
2. I give thanks for God gave me these precious ones to be my family among so many believers' families.
3. I give thanks that my first and second sons were both sacrificed, who were the most beautiful among my three sons and three daughters.
4. It is hard for one son to become a martyr, but for me to have two sons who became martyrs, I give thanks.
5. It is a blessing to die in peace with faith in the Lord Jesus, and I give thanks that they received the glory of martyrdom having been shot and killed while preaching the gospel.
6. They were preparing to go to the United States to study, and now they went to the kingdom of heaven, which is a much better place than the United States. I am relieved and I give thanks.
7. I give thanks to God who enabled me to adopt as my foster son, the enemy who killed my sons.
8. I give thanks because I believe there will be abundant fruit of Heaven through the martyrdom of my two sons.
9. I give thanks to God who gave me the joy of feeling God's love and faith to endure in the hardship.
To take care of the sick people, Pastor Yang Won Sohn did not evacuate even during the Korean War. He was eventually martyred by the North Korean communist soldiers at the age of 48. He took care of the sick people who were completely neglected by others, and in goodness he treated his enemy who had killed his sons. He was able to sacrifice himself the way he did because he was full of the true love for God and other souls.
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Manmin News 
8115
