Normal Traffic in Seoul

During April 5-15, 2010, my wife and I had the privilege of taking a trip to Seoul, South Korea.  We visited the David Mitchell family, and they were more than gracious hosts to us.  While stationed at Fort Benning, the Mitchell became a part of our church family.  In 2007 that transferred to Yongsan Military Base in Seoul.  We look forward to having them come back to Georgia soon.

Kathy and I greatly enjoyed the trip.  The ten days with the Mitchell family were days of great fellowship, great food, and great learning.  It was both education and inspirational.  One cannot visit such a massive city without being struck with the great need of the city.  Seoul is one of the world’s largest cities, with approximately twenty-four million people in its metro area.  The mass sea of humanity, that we encountered this week, was one of great need.  The influence of the false religions was apparent everywhere.  There were evidences of Buddhism, Islam, Catholicism and others.  There were many Presbyterian churches, but they are of the neo-evangelical, contemporary style.  They preach a weakened gospel that promotes infant baptism, denies eternal security, and lacks any form of biblical separation.  The need for fundamental works is very great.  While it is true that the people of North Korea live in both physical and spiritual darkness, it is still true that spiritual darkness also envelops South Korea.  Both Koreas need the light of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.

It was a great blessing to also visit the work of missionaries David and Joy Lewis.  Brother Lewis has been supported by Lighthouse for a number of years.  He has served in Seoul for almost eleven years.  His ministry is to the American military at the Yongsan Military Base, which is located in the heart of Seoul.  We were in the services at Yongsan Baptist Church for two Wednesday and one Sunday.  It was my privilege to preach both services on Sunday, April 11.   It was also a joy to see a Philippine lady follow the Lord in believer’s baptism.  She was publicly baptized, even though it meant receiving criticism from her family.  She will, most likely, be renounced by her family.  Yet, she chose the way of Jesus Christ.  What a joy it was to be there.

Thursday, April 8th,  was a day to be remembered.  While on a trip to Seoul, Korea, my wife and I had the privilege of participating in an USO sponsored trip to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone).  What a trip!  This is the zone created by the Armistice of July 1953, in regards to the Korean War.  This was a cease-fire agreement signed by North Korea, the U.N. and the United States.  (South Korea refused to sign, because they wanted unification).  The DMZ was established as a buffer around the MDL (Military Demarcation Line), and is in the area of the 38th Parallel.  This line is the dividing line between North and South Korea.

As we begin to approach the DMZ, security was noticeably increased.  Upon arrival at the south entrance of the DMZ, the tour was taken over by the military of the JSA (Joint Security Area).  The JSA is purportedly comprised of ROK (Republic of Korea) soldiers and U.N. soldiers.  However, the “U.N.” delegation is mainly United States.

The tour continued into the heart of the DMZ.  We arrived at the MDL, and the border of the two countries.  As we entered the main building, we were brief on what would happen after we exited the rear of the building.  Upon exiting, we would be able to see across the border into North Korea.  We were warned to stay with the group, and not to attempt any communication with the North Korean guards, either verbal or non-verbal.  Any gestures could be considered a threat by the NK.

As warned, we were heavily watched by the N.K. guards.  Although they were a distance of about two-hundred yards away, it was clear that they were monitoring our movements.  We were escorted by armed soldiers into the “Conference Building.”  This is a small one-room building that is in the rear of the main building.  This building is perfectly divided between North and South Korea.  The border runs directly through the middle of the building, with an exit on both ends.  The purpose of this arrangement was so that both countries could set at the negotiating table and still remain in their country.  Prior to entering this building, armed guards insured the North Korea exit door was secure.  A ROK soldier was then posted at the door to insure no one accidentally opened the door into N.K..  While in the building, we were permitted to cross the line into North Korea.  Although it was within a building, it was still North Korea.

Upon exiting the building (on the Republic of Korea side), I gazed into the country of North Korea.  Even the landscape and terrain revealed the despair of this country that is shrouded in darkness.  One man, a ruthless dictator, has established a country that lives in physical and spiritual darkness.  He has completely isolated his people from the outside world.  They are not permitted to know what the rest of the world does.  He has kept the people of North Korea from hearing the message of hope that is offered by Jesus Christ.  As I thought upon these things, I could not help but weep.  Millions of souls are perishing, due to the iron-fisted rule of Kim Jung IL.

Pray for the Lord to open the door into North Korea, so that the light of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ may be given to those in that country.