April mini-campaign
The April follow-up effort in Taegu and the eight weeks of “Learn to Read the Bible Effectively” seminars which followed have again encouraged the small local ecclesia. Two active and serious contacts continue to justify the effort that has been put into this area. We are very grateful to Sis. Betty Hermann for having produced a 10-page write-up of the April visit — “Fourteen days in Korea” — which we excerpt below. Those who have been long or often in the country tend to sometimes forget the first impressions, the different sights, smells, and sounds. It is nice to relive those experiences through others eyes, and Sis. Betty’s account gives a fresh view of the country and what it is like to take part in the work of witness here.
Sis. Betty’s diary for Monday, April 7
“This morning we (brothers John Fitzgerald, John Tappouros, Matthew Jamieson, Andrew Turner, Ron Hermann and sisters Karen Lean and myself) were to leave early to make the three and a half hour train journey through picturesque fanning land among the hills (some covered with conifers) and mountains, to Taegu where the second Korean ecclesia with a membership of four is situated.
“En route we passed through many townships of varying sizes, saw many rice fields and vineyards through which picturesque streams run at intervals Trees were just burst-mg into bud as colder days became warmer Yellow jasmine gave a wonderful splash of color, while the cherry blossoms and white and pink magnolias were a picture on which to feast our eyes We entered more mountainous country the further south we traveled Taegu is situated about two thirds of the way down the South Korean half of the peninsula, and is not far west of Kumi — the original site of the ecclesia Taegu, Korea’s third largest city, is of significant economic importance as an industrial and commercial center The herbal medicine market situated m the city center is one of the largest medicine markets in Korea However, we were in this city to give forth the only true medicine this world needs — the truth of God’s word
“That afternoon, after settling into the Yeogwan (a Korean style inn) which was to be our accommodation for the week, we commenced the distribution of 30,000 invitations to areas within easy reach of the ecclesial hall and continued until 8 p m Already invitations had been issued to previous contacts, and the local brothers and sisters had started to give out the bills for the six seminars on “Learn to read the Bible Effectively” This seemed rather an ambitious project for such a small ecclesia but it shows the dedication of this small group of brothers and sisters The area Ron and I worked was within sight of the Yeogwan Many people were coming and going, catching or getting off buses, or walking the streets going about their daily business, shopping, etc The Korean expression “padushipshio” (please take one) as we offered an invitation, meant that very few declined to accept Somehow we all managed to meet at the hall so we could enjoy our evening meal together before getting home by midnight”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One