It has now been a month since we left Northern Ireland after our move in June and traveled through China before arriving in South Korea.
Fellowship and Ministry in China
Since visiting China last year, I have wanted to return as often as possible to reconnect with former ministry partners and to better understand the current situation of the churches. For that reason, our family traveled to China before coming to Korea.
As soon as we arrived in China in the early morning, I came down with a severe cold and was confined to bed for few days. My wife also had to remain at our accommodation after injuring her foot during the move, which became infected. Thankfully, Davit, who traveled with us, lovingly cared for us by buying medicine and meals.
After a few days of rest, we traveled to another city to visit ministry partners, including a pastor with whom we had served more than ten years ago. His entire family welcomed us at the station with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. They told us that after hearing about both the challenges of our recent move and the anti-immigrant unrest in Northern Ireland, they wanted to extend special hospitality to our family. We were deeply moved and felt that God Himself was comforting and welcoming us through His people.
It was a great joy to reconnect with longtime ministry partners and share about God's faithfulness over the past decade. One particularly encouraging reunion was with the pastor's eldest son, whom we had met several times as a young boy. Inspired by a desire to serve through medical missions, he studied Traditional Chinese Medicine and is now a practitioner. While I was still recovering from my illness, he traveled an hour and a half by subway to give acupuncture treatment to both my wife and me. He simply said, "We are all one body in Christ, and I wanted to serve you." It was such a blessing to see how God has raised him into a faithful servant.
We also visited few house churches and witnessed the diversity of the church in China today. In addition, I met the founder of a Christian online platform with several million subscribers, who shared valuable insights into the current realities facing the church. Once again, I was reminded of the urgent need for leadership training among church leaders as they continue to serve under significant government restrictions.
Sharing About Reconciliation and Northern Ireland
Since arriving in Korea, I have had opportunities almost every Sunday to speak at churches about peace and reconciliation and Northern Ireland.
There are only about 50–70 Koreans living in Northern Ireland. While there is one Korean church in Dublin, Republic of Ireland, there is currently no Korean church or Korean missionary serving in Northern Ireland. As a result, many Korean churches know very little about the region.
Whenever I visit Korea, I make it a priority to meet with churches and prayer groups to share about Northern Ireland so that people can pray for Northern Ireland.
We were also grateful to spend precious time with my elderly mother, whose strength continues to decline. She was really long to see Ruah, and we were able to visit her almost every day and enjoy meals together.
Ruah also attended a week-long missionary kids' summer camp, enjoyed a sleepover with her closest friend from our year in England, and finally visited Hongdae, a place she had long wanted to see. He has truly been enjoying her time in Korea.
Diagnosis at Seoul National University Hospital
Since December last year, I have undergone numerous medical tests because of dizziness and symptoms related to cerebellar degeneration. On July 14, I received the final diagnosis. Genetic testing confirmed that I have a rare hereditary neurodegenerative disorder affecting the cerebellum and spinal cord.
My doctor specializes in rare neurological diseases, including spinocerebellar ataxia, and has conducted research and published studies on developing new treatments for this condition. Although there is currently no cure, recent clinical studies suggest that combining a leukemia medication with several other medications may help slow the progression of the disease. Based on these findings, my doctor has prescribed this treatment for me, and I will need to continue taking it on a long-term basis.
Unfortunately, this medication has not yet been approved in Korea specifically for treating cerebellar degeneration, so it is not covered by health insurance. The monthly cost is approximately 600,000 KRW (£300, $430).
Because this is a genetic condition, my doctor also recommended that our three children undergo genetic testing at least once.
For more than six months, living without knowing the cause of my symptoms was difficult. Although this diagnosis brings new challenges, I am grateful to finally have clear answers. We entrust both my health and the health of our children into the faithful hands of our Heavenly Father.
Prayer Requests
1. Remaining Ministry in Korea
- Please pray that I may faithfully complete the remaining speaking engagements, church visits, and meetings with prayer groups, and that I may effectively share about reconciliation ministry and the needs of Northern Ireland.
2. Ruah
- Ruah will participate in a seven-day program in Korea for overseas Korean youth. Please pray that this will be a meaningful time for him to deepen his understanding of Korean history, culture, and heritage, and to strengthen his sense of identity.
3. Financial Provision for Medication
- My medication will cost approximately 600,000 KRW (about US$430) each month. Please pray that God will faithfully provide for this ongoing need. If the Lord places it on your heart to contribute toward this expense, either as a one-time gift or as ongoing monthly support, we would be deeply grateful for your prayerful consideration.
기도부탁드립니다.
- 한국에서의 남은 일정
교회 설교와 중보기도팀 모임 등 남은 일정들을 잘 감당하며, 화해 사역과 북아일랜드의 상황을 잘 나눌 수 있도록 기도해 주세요. - 루아
루아가 7일간 진행되는 해외동포 초청 한국 방문 프로그램에 참여합니다. 한국의 역사와 문화, 전통을 깊이 배우고 자신의 정체성을 더욱 풍성하게 세워 가는 시간이 되도록 기도해 주세요. - 소뇌위축증 치료약을 위한 재정
앞으로 매달 약 60만 원의 약값이 필요합니다. 하나님께서 필요한 재정을 채워 주시도록 기도해 주시고, 혹시 이 약값을 위해 일시적으로 또는 정기적으로 후원하는 마음을 주신다면 함께 기도하며 동참해 주시면 감사하겠습니다.
