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The mothers and fathers of faith who prayed
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Chapter 23 - The mothers and fathers of faith
An elder who was going to Canada wanted to see me. He asked me “Mr. Lee why don’t you go to a seminary because I think its God that’s calling you.” He had some money that his mother has left behind for someone like Mr. Lee who would be a great worker for God. I was told that the financial aid was to be paid to me once I started Seminary and the fund was held one of the pastors. The person who was in charge of the funds asked next year asked me “how about studying in seminary?” and I was hesitant. To be honest, my wife was working as a public official but after our second child, retired. So we could live only with me working. But the person said “The elder has left you financial aid so no need to worry.”Thus, that’s how I started in seminary.
The first semester went smooth with the financial aid. But after the 2nd semester started nothing came. Turns out the fund was designated for me. It was also stranger that the funding person didn’t ask for my grades. I waited and waited but after I didn’t get any financial aids. I would’ve had the courage to ask the person now, but I couldn’t do it at that time. I also thought it would’ve been better to just go into Salvation Army Theological School. I heard that in that school you don’t have to pay any tuition, and my wife and my children would also get educated and would have financial support, which was very tempting.
I noticed several of the elders (men and women) that I knew well that I was struggling. I had not asked anyone to help or support. One day my wife had given me an envelope. I had asked her where this had come from. Apparently one of the elders had forcefully put it in her bag while my wife was coming home after church. My wife was carried my daughter on the back and my son was holding her hand; the other hand was holding the bag. I had asked the elder later and she said “We had prayer meeting every month for you Mr. Lee and gathered some funds so use it whenever needed.” Not only had they prayed for me but also had paid for living expenses and my school tuition fee. If I had met the person who was supporting me financially he asked “Mr. Lee how are you doing in the seminary?”
The people who had supported in prayer and with finances mostly have probably passed away now. I only knew the lady who was the most prominent out all those who had helped me. I didn’t how they gathered the funds and whenever they had gathered. When I had moved to the United States, I was so grateful of those who had supported me. So I went to a Christian bookstore and bought a “praying hand” picture and asked the lady to pass out the members who had prayed for me. There was a wife of a pastor who was in the same denomination as I am. She was a YoungNak Presbyterian Church Sunday School when I had served as staff. We had met in about 20 years but still recognized me and greeted in gladness. One day she saw her mother putting the image of the” praying hand” on the wall and asked “who had given this?” and her mother’s response was “a seminary student whom I had supported gave me while he was moving to the United States.” She knew from our conversation that the seminary student was me. Her mother (who is an elder) is very elderly now but still alive. I give my sincere thanks to the fathers and the mothers in faith that had supported me.
I had gotten a room in the 2nd floor of the house that was close to the seminary and our family lived there. I had to use a 19 holed briquette (it’s a type of coal) during the winter even though it was dangerous for our children. But with that, we warmed water to wash kids, cooked all our meals and heated our rooms. I couldn’t send my son even if he was in the age for kindergarten. I had gone to greet for every New Years to Reverend ChangHwan Park’s house with my children, who had taught me during Sunday school staff training program and also who taught me during young adult’s bible study class. Professor Park had prayed for my children very earnestly. With some connections I had met with Mrs. SooSam Hyun, she was in charge of the kindergarten which was associated with the seminary. She said there was a program for seminary student’s children and offered very cheap tuition and had let my son enter kindergarten.
Professor ChangHwan Park taught Greek and New Testament. He said that there was a special lecture for students during summer vacation. For a week he would teach us the “Lord’s Prayer” in Greek. All the students who wanted learn more Greek was allowed to come with no tuition fee. I had passion to study even though I wasn’t too well with education. It was a very hot summer with no air condition. Even though he was pouring with sweat he diligently wrote Greek and taught us the Lord’s Prayer. I do not recall most of what he had taught me at that time. But the passion he had to teach the students with love that he had was unforgettable. As a pastor I would never forger Reverend KyungJik Han, and never forget missionary Sarah Barry for bible study.
During one of the lessons Professor ChangHwan Park said humbly “I am not the best scholar, I had taught myself Greek. One paragraph took me about 2 weeks to figure out its meaning.” He also said “One of you should become a professor and take over my position so I can leave.” Knowing it’s a very competitive to have a position as a professor. One time a student had asked “Professor, how many times have you changed your bible during your life time?” and he had smiled and said “I meditate on a Greek bible and study with it; I had changed about 7 bibles and now on an 8th bible to meditate.” It was very admirable. Even with his old age (about 90s) he went into mission to teach students of that country. I still have contact with the professor.
One day professor SunAe Ju who teaches in Christian education called me. She was a teacher for me during the YoungNak Sunday school staff training program and served as principal during after school program that was held in church. During that time I had volunteered to be a staff. She was such a kind person. She would listen very deeply to those who spoke with her. During one of the classes she said “I teach you Christian education but day by day I feel my background in theology is lacking. You students are learning theology. I wish there is someone who is more professional than I am.”She said that many times. She was such a humble person. I liked the time there.
At one point there was a bazaar opened by the professors for funds. Professor SunAe Ju saw me and said “I have a request” the request was “I am so busy and I lack in skill. I don’t have anything great to sell during the bazaar I would like to ask your wife to help me make something.” My wife was great in making macramé, pot decorations, wall decorations and bags. The professor paid for all the supplies. There was another reason the professor asked for macramé. After the request items were made the professor thanked “for making it so beautifully” and paid a large sum of work fee. I think she wanted to help me since I was in struggling financially. I thank the professors who had helped me be able to study.
I give thanks to all mothers and fathers in faith, professors who cared for their students. I reflect again and again to raise God’s workers and to encourage and love them, and help their struggle with care.
(January 2011)
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Moving back to San Jose 
The mothers and fathers of faith who prayed