안녕하세요~
It’s officially fall in Korea.
After a long summer of heat and humidity the Ginkgo trees are starting to show their beautiful bright yellow color, there’s a fresh breeze flowing through the city, and I’ve gotten my sweaters out of storage. Thanksgiving isn’t celebrated in Korea, but I found a small comfort in a cafe that serves an authentic pumpkin spice latte.
Along with the refreshment of the change of seasons, a surge in new opportunities have been happening.
We had the wonderful blessing of having Professor Guy. Marquardt come to Seoul and teach a class on Luther’s Small Catechism at Great Light Lutheran Church. We had about 10-15 pastors and seminary students from different backgrounds come and study. I had the privilege of joining them and sitting in on the classes along with some other church members. I had a beautiful moment with a new friend.
She came and attended the class from the recommendation of one of our church members. We sat next to each other and chatted a bit during the break. I found out that she wasn’t a christian but was interested in christianity. I thought it was amazing that her first introduction to christianity was an in depth class about Luthers Small Catechism. One of the questions we had to consider was “How does knowing you are daily forgiven impact your christian life?”
I asked her, “As someone who isn’t a christian, what do you think of this concept of daily forgiveness?”
She answered,
“I think if its true that God forgives you daily, Christians are the most blessed people in the world.”
She’s right! We are the most blessed people in the world. Knowing we are daily forgiven by our Savior is such a blessing. The seed is planted in her heart and I pray it takes root.
“So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.”
1 Corinthians 3:7
This class was a wonderful opportunity for people to learn more about what we believe as Lutherans. And praise the Lord that it also turned out to be a wonderful opportunity to share Jesus! Please pray for Gina and her journey of faith. Pray that she would have an open heart to hear the gospel.
Along with the Catechism class, Ive also been teaching the English class on Thursday night. Last week one of our regular members brought two new friends! We are slowly starting to gain traction and spread the word about our free English classes. I hope by the next news letter there will be more people still!
Along with the outreach English class I’m also doing my regular tutoring and working at the english lounge. I’ve been able to have great conversations about faith and also make many new friends. It is such a wonderful opportunity that the Lord gave to me. One of my coworkers expressed an interest to come to church! The seeds are being planted!
In this months newsletter video I included a interview I did with my friend Eli. Let’s give him a round of applause! He is one of our regular church members and is attending seminary to be a pastor. It’s really amazing how the Lord has been working in his life and through the influence of pastor David to encourage him to be a pastor. He works really diligently on his studies while also working a job and helping build up the church. It’s so unfortunate he can’t be with his family while going to seminary, but with the current state of christianity in China it would be too dangerous.
I am blessed to have a few friends here from China who have fled the country to have freedom to practice their faith in Jesus. Hearing their stories and seeing their strong faith encourages me. Despite the opposition there, God’s word continues to spread and the seeds are growing. Please pray for my friend Eli as he navigates going to school, working his job here while being separated from his family. Please also pray for our brothers and sisters in China. That they would be safe and have the strength to share the gospel message despite opposition.
I’m so thankful that I live in a country where I can share my faith freely, Eli can attend seminary and we can attend church and sing with the windows wide open! People are hearing in Korea! My prayer is that the whole city…no…the whole world can hear.
Until next time!
-로렌 Lauren
