REPORT ABOUT A TRIP TO KOREA

Nehemiah 2:17 : "Then I said to them, You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace."

I thank the Lord for the opportunity to travel to Korea and visit the World Mission Report, the leaders conference based on the book of Nehemiah, as well as learn the spirit of the Korean Christians through visits to various historical places of Korea. The Lord gave me a lot of experience through this journey. I pray through the writing of this report to accept deeply one word of God, one fact as well as share their mercy. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ.

1. The travelling

We took off from Boryspil airport on May 27. Before that we and our brothers and sisters prayed for the safe road and the Lord heard us. He did allow us to take off from Kiev in a faulty plane. Our flight from Kiev to Abu Dhabi was 2 hours delayed, which resulted in a delay of a flight from Abu Dhabi to Seoul. We had to stay overnight at the airport in Abu Dhabi. But we thank God that thus he saved us from any more considerable inconvenience. Also, being at the airport in Abu Dhabi for a long time, we had the opportunity to pray for the United Arab Emirates, as well as see how people live in the country. United Arab Emirates is a very rich country, but its inhabitants are mostly emigrants from other countries. They come for work. Most of them are Muslims. When we wanted to pray aloud at the airport, the police did not allow us. I also noticed the influence of materialism and hedonism which captures the Muslim world. For example, all night TV in the airport was filled with very violent and dirty movies. When we flew from Abu Dhabi to Seoul in the plane, I tried to listen to Arabic music, to understand the soul of this nation. And I found that in spite of their inaccessibility and foreigntiffness appearance there are very wounded and the thirsty souls. Subsequently, m.Point confirmed my observation. Muslims need shepherds. Behind their external religiosity and violence toward people there is a wounded broken heart, hungry for God's love. May God have mercy upon United Arab Emirates and this country will open the door to the Gospel!

2. World Mission Report and leaders workshop

On arrival in Seoul we had a very warm welcome from shepherds of Kyung Sun UBF. They took us to the Bible center, where sisters of common life have prepared a generous dinner. Despite it was 1-30 am local time, we ate with gusto. On the next day on Sunday we went to the great gymnasium hall Jang Chung. They held a ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the mission of UBF. Gymnasium Hall was packed. Dr. John Jun delivered the main message based on 1 Peter 2:9,10. He said that God in His mercy has used powerfully UBF throughout the world the last 50 years. He sent 3300 missionaries in 93 countries around the world. But we must not dwell on laurels, but continue to live as royal priests of this world. It so different from the world the character of God's people - the sanctity and purity We have to continue intercessory prayer for students and preaching the gospel, send to 100 thousand missionaries from UBF to 140 countries, where there is no our churche. Then local leaders shared their moving read reports, they were representatives of different continents, where UBF missionaries work: David Hall of the United States, Isidro Peres - a pioneer of Mexico ElSalvador (Latin America), Darren Hilldrow (England, Europe), Padiet Deng (Africa, North Sudan). In the past 50 years, the sacrificial Korean missionaries raised beautiful spiritual leaders among the local shepherds. The greatest impression I received from the report of Padiet Deng from Sudan and Darren Hilldrow from England.

Padiet Deng is a director of UBF in Northern Sudan. He decided, like Queen Esther in the Bible, to suffer for the sake of his people with the spirit of a martyr based on the key verse: "If to perish I will perish." May God have mercy on North Sudan! May God have mercy on us and give us a spirit to serve our people!

Darren Hilldrow grew up in a family of English priest who left his mission because of financial problems. Darren wandered in this world - sexual immorality, drug abuse - until the shepherds of UBF picked him up. Now he grows as great shepherd in London UBF. After his report, I realized that rich materially Europe needs shepherds and missionaries. As in Muslim countries in Europe also there is a need to send missionaries, only temptations out there, in a sense, are more seriously. So shepherds need to be strong and proven of gospel faith. Europe is sinking in sin and we should pray for the EU countries!

The day after the World Mission Report we went on a special seminar for missionaries and local leaders. 2.5 days we have been learning the spirit of our UBF ancestors' faith m. Samuel Lee and m. Sarah Barry. Our world is filled with the influence of materialism and hedonism, but more sad is that this effect penetrates into the church. There is a temptation for the mission and UBF. Therefore, through the workshop we deeply repented and again restored the spirit of UBF - spirit of our ancestors, the core of our mission. In short it can be described with these words - "to live according to the Bible." The opening address of m.Sarah Barry was "In testimony to all nations" on Mf.24. In the message she gave us direction how to live in the last times: to fear nothing, but to actively explore and teach the Word of God, the Gospel Jesus Christ.

Then, with a few lectures, we speculated in detail about the spirit of our ancestors of faith: Why is it important to write a testimony, the daily bread and the mission of raising students and creating house churches, the spirit of sacrifice, self-support, the spirit of community (the fellowship), a world mission. I learned one important fact: our mission was founded on a deep learning and practicing of the Word of God. Samuel Lee every day engaged into deep research and study of God's word and writing daily bread, Bible studies and messages. It is the love for the Bible, the Word of God that made the faith of our ancestors so influential. We are all the fruits of their dedication and Bible study, prayer, and sacrificial life. I realized that I should go back to the Bible and love the Word of God genuinely. I pray bear a fruit of repentance. Also there were shared the reports and testimonies of several local leaders: p.Stas Ugai (Almaty) and Dr. William Altobar (Philippines). May God bless the Philippines and Almaty UBF and raises a lot of students there, like Abraham-Stas and dr. William Altobar! I was very moved by both reports. In conclusion of the seminar sh. David Kim (new coordinator of Korea UBF) gave a message on 2-Tim.3: 16.17 "Horrible times and The Bible". All Scripture is God-breathed. How can we be filled with God's spirit, breath of God and win in this world? Only returning to the Bible, to the God-inspired book, book, filled with breath of God and love the Bible wholeheartedly. Then our Bible study will not be boring, formal and dry. Then God's lambs will come to our church and grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. I should start with myself. Amen. In conclusion of the seminar dr. John Jun gave us direction to pray fervently for the remaining 140 countries, where there are no missionaries of UBF. We were given a list of these countries and we prayed to continue missionary work. We also blessed and prayed for the new director of the mission UBF Abraham T. Kim, Korea UBF - David Kim.

3. Tour to important places of Korea

Our shepherds from Kyung Sun UBF prepared for us a wonderful tour to important places of Korea. About 5 hours bus-ride brought us to another the part of Korea. There we visited the Kwangju UBF, graveyard of missionaries who have given their lives to preach the gospel in Korea, the memorial of Pastor Song Young Won, a pastor and martyr, who adopted a Communist who killed his two sons for the Gospel. We also visited a Buddhist temple, and were able to swim in the sea.

Kwangju UBF is a historical place for the mission of UBF, the place of its origin. We looked at photos of our ancestors of faith, and we watched a short movie. The movie was about the mission report letters of m. Sarry Barry in Kwangju UBF. I realized that our ancestors had no great (eg, technological) opportunities to preach the Gospel in comparison with our times. However, they had one - the Bible, the Word of God, faith and love and dedication to the Word of God. Day and night they remained in the Word of God. Students stood in line to study the Bible with the shepherds. They fervently prayed to establish a solid foundation for their lives through the Word of God.

Visiting the graveyard of foreign missionaries who gave their lives for preaching the gospel in Korea, we wondered how many there were such people. We understood why Korea is now such a strong Christian nation - because many of the martyrs shed their blood for this. In Ukraine, too, there will be fruit, if we give up our lives for the Lord and preach the Gospel.

We were strongly impressed through visiting the hospital for lepers and Memorial of Pastor Son Yang Won. This pastor sacrificially served the Gospel and God's love for the lepers and the other lambs of God. Once the Communist killed his two sons. Forgiving the murderers, the pastor then adopted him. Subsequently, Song Yan Wong also died a martyr for Christ. Through the pastor, I see Christ and His love for me. Although I have killed Him with my sins, He adopted me. I repented that I had no such love for neighbors, even her husband and children. Korea is a blessed land, because there were and there are true believers. I believe that in our land God will bring up the true servants of God. I believe that we are in their number. Amen.

Climbing high into the mountains, we visited a Buddhist temple - the temple of one of Korea's major religions. The place is very beautiful, but sad that it is full of idols, not God's church. The Buddhist temple is very similar to Orthodox Temple - similar icons, incense, candles, a price list for prayers for different needs. All religions are essentially the same, and, eventually, lead to materialism and hedonism. Only Christianity is not a religion but a life with Christ. Many people went to worship at the Buddhist temple. They had such sad faces, because in Buddhism there is no escape. There is a way only in Jesus Christ. I pray that the name of Jesus Christ has been raised above all the false names and gods of this world, both in Korea and Ukraine!

4. Conference on the Book of Nehemiah

After the tour we went on a joint Kyung Son UBF conference for Leaders based on the book of Nehemiah. In the conference participated also missionaries, shepherds and pioneers from Canada, Brazil, Sri Lanka, El Salvador and others. At the conference, we intensively studied the book of Nehemiah and were very touched by his spirit, a shepherd heart and a dedication to God and God's people. Personally, I accepted a word of God - Nehemiah 2:17 and decided to actively continue to build the walls of the holy Word of God and the Gospel in my life and in our country through the preaching of the Gospel. I was also very moved through testimonies of shepherds and missionaries who shared at this conference.

The testimony of missionary Pablo Park was especially remarkable. When he began his ministry in Costa Rica, at first it was unsuccessful. Businesses also went bad, as well as family relationships. Sheep came and then left. Pablo Park went through the crisis of his faith. And once He prayed to God seriously. He decided to dig deeply the word of God, prepare deep Bible study and messages. He relied on the help of God and Holy Spirit. Then there were the miracles. His child, which is seriously ill and the doctors even said that he was retarded, began to recover and study well. His wife started liking his sermons. Sheep came. Business improved. And all t this hanks to serious Bible study.

I realized that I needed to take seriously this decision. I have had difficulties in the shepherd life - for a long time I could not invite and raise a new disciple. I had difficulties with her husband and children. Also my soul was tormented by spiritual thirst from a lack of spiritual power. But I decided to seriously change my attitude toward the Word of God. And I ask God to help me keep it decision to the end. I have hope again: With His help, I'm going to change and grow an excellent Bible teacher, good shepherd, the beautiful mother and wife. Amen.

5. Conclusion

The Lord has richly blessed our stay in Korea. We have seen that God richly blessed this country because of the faith and hard work of Christians who seriously dedicate their lives to Him and walk in the fear of God. Korean Christians are special. We had and still have a lot to learn. They really know how to love God and His Word in practice. They know how to be masters of their own country and to take responsibility for their people. Of course, we are different and we also has our strong points. However, one fact we must learn is love God's Word. We found that we lack such a dedication, zeal and love. I pray that I may learn to love the Lord sincerely.

I am grateful for the opportunity to visit the World Mission Report and to be a part of a 50-year history of UBF. Thank God for the opportunity to learn faith of UBF ancestors - go back to the Bible and God's Word. May God help me now to practice my Christian life and start revival with myself, and may the spirit awakening come to our Ukrainian land.

One word: Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace