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His words are sweeter than Honey
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Chapter 11 - His words are sweeter than Honey
I wanted to learn deeper of His words as a youth group bible study teacher, A missionary by the name of Sarah Barry (Sarah Bae) came from the United States PCUSA as a young adult bible study teacher. I think she was sent because Reverend KyungJik Han said that she was the best at teaching the bible. She started the ‘University Bible Fellowship’. She was a great influence in starting the “Quite Time” and was one of the central figures of starting it.
In the start a lot of young adult group steering committee used to come out but soon started to come out less and less and soon didn’t come. During the time of President ChungHee Park was a harsh and hard time. There were many discussion amongst the Christian young adults how they should influence the nation. Many schools were occupied at times by the army because of the martial law. Because of many protests during this time for free religion, labor, and many other things. This time of martial law cause many tears because of the tear gases used during the protests. Many of the steering committee thought that Bible study was important but learning the true meaning was unnecessary and boring.
In the end, almost all the committee stopped coming and only the members and I were the only ones left.
Every week was deeply moving meeting and learning from missionary Sarah Bae, of her deep understanding of the Bible and her obedient life to the word. This time was sweeter than the honey during the time I was learning in detail of the Book of John. Sometimes I would read and reread the chapter I have to study and even look at the commentaries and asked her if I didn’t understand. She would always answer kindly. During my youth, the 2 years I spent was the best in learning the Bible.
Because the committee members wouldn’t come the atmosphere was not good. After the study meeting was over we had a meeting. It was decided that we would combine the strength in our group by gathering more members. The actual plan was to have 3~4 in a group to be formed and visit some of the members who didn’t come or proposed to interested people to come. Before we visited we would pray, have a light snack after get the address book to gather more members. When we visited we would sing praise songs, pray for them, and share the message we learned that day and then suggested them to come to the Bible study. At that time the area of Seoul was not very well developed so finding some of the houses would take till evening to get there.
Some of the times were tearful. One of the sisters who were on the visiting list was living in a mountain board houses. We were barely able to visit her house because her address and name didn’t exist.
She was trying to run away because she was embarrassed. But several sisters were also there to comfort her down. She had many of her household items on a board. We cried and sang praise songs. After I was about to leave she told me her story. Turns out her father had failed in business and ended up living in the mountains. I had a great sympathy for her because I was raised poor.
Because of our effort the class started to grow larger. The missionary also grew in strength teaching the central point of the Book of John. The reason why I am a Pastor is because I had a great role model thanks to missionary Sarah Bae.
After the two sweet years the Bible study ended.
After that I joined the ‘University Bible Fellowship’ to learn the book of Genesis as a one on one Bible study with missionary Sarah Bae. Learning the Genesis gave me greater understanding of the Bible. I give God my thanks for the chance of able to meet with the missionary.
There are two things I will never forget.
The Book of Genesis was taught in 7 sections, one week of lecture and one week of preparatory studying. I had no problem doing that but every week a section was finished I had to write a reflection. I enjoyed language classes a lot but was never good at writing. But since it was homework I had to do it. Sometimes she would make me rewrite the reflection because she thought I didn’t think enough. Sometimes I would have to write it twice. Missionary knew I wasn’t great at writing but she made me rewrite few times because she wanted me to have patience and to grow. With that I had finished learning the Book of Genesis.
Sometime during the Christmas when one of her college group was busy preparing with rooms full. I thought “we probably won’t have a Bible study” but that as wrong.
“Mr. Lee we should go to the kitchen to study.” The kitchen was no place to study. Because there were no desks but she sat down on a cement stove top and gave me an aluminum plate, and she got one herself because was very cold and there no doors shut close. During that time her passion to teach me reminded me of a shepherd trying to feed his sheep.
She told me something personal before she left the young adult bible study. “I came to report that during the 2 years I stayed to teach the Bible, I see that Mr. Lee’s effort had made the youth group grow in Reverend KyungJik Han.” I didn’t understand what that meant at that time but after about 2 years I learned what that meant. Thank you Missionary!
(January 2011)
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YoungNak Presbyterian Church World Gospel Mission 
His words are sweeter than Honey