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Home > Liberty Tower Room 57 |
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Unexpected Rain
On the 28th of July an unexpected downpour occurred. It was a very strange thing to happen this time of year. Except for about 4 years, as I have lived here in California for a long time it was strange indeed. The weather is much cooler than the usual this year.
For several months now I have prepared for the “Old Testament Panorama” in Southern New Jersey Methodist Church and the 9th “Praise and Thanks Night” which was prepared by people in New Jersey and New York for several months. I was going to attend the night. On the 22nd of June, with a feeling of renewed excitement of coming back after 4 years, I went to San Francisco International Airport to New Jersey’s Newark Airport. I had to think about the 3 hour time difference and the 2 hours of driving time while sitting in Deacon Kyung Yi’s car.
But there was one concern: While I was the superintendent of the Korean District of C&MA, September 11th terrorist attack, which changed the history of United States happened. Afterwards, it was expected to have extremely long lines in the airport. It was very difficult considering I had about 150 trips each year. So whenever I went to the airport to get my tickets from automated machine, instead it would say to see the airport security. Turns out if there was a terrorist suspect or any criminal was like my name, Paul Lee, I would have to see them. Besides the discomforting time it takes, I also get worried I may miss my flight. I would have to give my citizenship card to the security personnel to have my name checked here and there to make sure and then get my ticket. It was a very bad experience and I remember it so well.
So after I moved to California, I did not travel as much, but just to not run into this situation again, I called the TSA (Transportation Security Administration), to have a letter and a proof number that I am safe, in case I run into similar problems again. I had to send letters and called many places to clear my name. This was the perfect opportunity to check and see if I was on the list and this time, I got my ticket without a problem. I was so happy.
I got on the plane that would take me to New Jersey. It was too much how the people were treated in the airplane for such a short trip. Back then, if the trip was more than 5 hours, there would be a meal served to be eaten, but all they serve now is a bag of peanuts and drink. I really doubted if “Good times in United States have passed” was true. Getting out of my house around 8:30AM in the morning, I arrived in the evening around 7:30PM. I wanted to buy some lunch but they didn’t except cash and only took credit card. I didn’t want to swipe my card for just $10.00 lunch so I decided not to have lunch.
After having some late diner with Deacon SukYun Yeon in New Jersey, I arrived at my motel around midnight. One thing that really concerned me was that there would be early morning service daily, including Sunday. I decided to attend the early morning service because I was leading the seminar, and I didn’t want to be a bad example. But the problem was the time difference. Since the church was located some 20 minutes away, and the starting time was 6AM in the morning, I would have to get up 4:30AM. In California time, that would be 1:30 in the morning. I thought if I took a small nap and get up to go to the service like this daily, it would affect me negatively during the 2 hour sessions, 4 days of leading seminar. Perhaps I would be able to take a nap? But the problem was of the time change, checking for the evening session; I could not get any nap at all. I also worried about the next day’s seminar because my voice was slowly dying.
I give thanks that despite the fatigue, I was able to lead the seminar till the end. I feel that for this seminar, there were several members of the church, who had prayed for me, and the Southern New Jersey Methodist Church members who had prayed for me months ahead for this event. God had answered their prayers. Unlike the other churches I have led seminar, this church had more passion and I also was able to have more strength to lead on, and was glad.
The seminar had ended unexpectedly late and after finishing the last session on Sunday evening, with the family members of Deacon SukYun Yeon, we hastily headed up to Northern New Jersey to head to Dongsan Alliance Church. It was so that the soloists would have time to practice, since they arrive earlier. After arriving slightly later than expected, I met up with the soloists and the musicians. Along with Soprano KyungHwa Yu, I was happy and glad to see the soloists. Amongst them was Tenor InJun Yang of the Seoul YoungNak Presbyterian Church Calvary Choir.
He is my wife’s friend, Elder BoBae Song’s younger son. When I moved to United States, he was 4, but now he is a very handsome 30 odd year aged tenor. I was glad to see. I had such a good time during the “Praise and Thanks Night” because everyone in New Jersey Manna Choir and the New Jersey Dongsan Alliance Church had sung so greatly. I give thanks to Elder YoungRan Hong, and Deaconess YoungSook Jang and countless others who had helped to prepare reception, and greet and serve the soloists and the choir. There are so many others to be thankful for.
The pastor of Dongsan Alliance Church had requested that I would speak for the Monday early morning service several Sundays ago, I lead the early morning service. Afterwards, a small simple meal was served for the pastors and several church workers. Pastor David (MyungHo) Yoon provided me a car ride, so I was able to get back to Newark Airport. I was able to return home safely thank to Deacon Kyung Yi who had waited for me in San Francisco Airport.
Looking back, it was indeed a late rain, but it cooled down the weather a bit, and like those church members who long the word of God like the blissful rain, I can only be thankful. I wanted to get to the “Praise and Thanks Night” at 4:30PM, but because of the schedule, I got there around 5:30PM instead. But because the choir members and all those who had participated in the “Praise and Thanks Night” like the cool, summer rain, we were all able to be drenched in the welcoming rain, of God’s grace.
(July 5th, 2011)
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Epilogue: 20 Months 
Unexpected Rain