Every experience in South korea with the wonderful believers there is unique, powerful and encouraging. This trip was no different. We spent only 9 days in Korea, but we were busy morning, noon and night. We were there basically for the debut of our book in Korean, called "From Tragedy to Triumph". It was amazing to see or book in actual book form, 330 pages long. The English version will take a few more months to come out because it is more feasible to print and distribute from the U.S.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE TRIP
The plane trip to Korea takes about 11 hours, and the time difference is 7 hours ahead of Israel. However, no time to recover from jet lag when we arrive there because as soon as we touch down, we usually are brought to our first meeting. This time it was in the largest church in Seoul, which has a congregation of 30,000. It is the Yonsei Central Baptist Church. The Senior Pastor, Pastor Yoon greeted us warmly, with a delicious Korean meal. Our good friend Taysir Saada was giving his testimony that night. He is the author of the book, "Once an Arafat Man". Tass, as he is known to all, was a sniper, and an assassin for Yassir Arafat. However, about 15 years ago he had a life-changing experience when he accepted Yeshua into his life to be his Lord and Savior, and his life was completely transformed. His born-again experience immediately led him to a complete change of heart concerning the Jewish people and Israel. As he studied the Bible, he realized that God had given the land of Israel to the Jewish people as an everlasting covenant, and he became a lover of the enemies he had once hated and fought against. His book was also translated into Korean, and he was there for its release as well.
Another event that was taking place during out trip was the preview of the new film "Forgiveness" which will be released in the theaters on Dec. 5th. Davidalso participated in this film, appearing in it, and organizing many interviews with several of the ex-Muslims that he led to the Lord. The film is about the reconciliation between Jews and Arabs that can only take place in Yeshua. David was responsible for making the connection between Tass and the film makers, and his testimony plays a major part in the film. The film was previewed in some key places and to the media, and afterward we had a press conference. The interviews appeared in 14 major newspapers in Korea.
Back to the largest church in Seoul, on the last day of our trip we shared our testimony there. The church is on an impressive, beautiful building complex with buildings housing t heir own Tv and radio station, Bible school and its own underground parking lot. However that is not what impressed us the most - it was the prayer of this blessed congregation. Every assembly in Korea practices early Morning Prayer, the believers waking up early for prayer at 5AM before they begin their working days. This has led to the exponential growth in the number of believers being added, and the expansion of the Gospel into every area and aspect of Korean life. This assembly has a prayer meeting every night from 7-10 PM. The power of the prayer is hard to describe and must be experienced firsthand, but their prayer sessions begin with a battle cry to the heavens - the leader and prayer warriors cry out in a loud voice - LOOOORRRRDDD! Then everyone begins to pray all at the same time, with a fervor that shakes the heavens, crying and weeping and shouting out their requests to the Lord. We felt the heavens open up, and we felt like we were transported into the throne room of heaven - it was amazing. I lifted up every prayer request I could think of as faith was palpable and you just knew because you knew there would be an answer - we were, after all, standing before the throne of God!!
This kind of prevailing prayer takes place all over Korea, in the 50,000 assemblies that exist there. As a result, the President of Korea is a born-again believer, there are many in the government and CEO's of major companies who are believers, and the Gospel is going forth in power. There are a growing number of fellowships who are praying for and standing with Israel as well, and they were the assemblies that we visited. Many of these assemblies have organized into an organization hat pray for and support Israel and Messianic believers however they can. Rev. Samuel Kim who is the founder and president of this Israel fellowship organized our schedule and speaking locations. He showed up for almost every meeting, often running on to his next appointments in his very busy schedule.
We were blessed to be staying, along with Tass, in the apartment of Kwon You-Sok and his wife, who have guest rooms in their beautiful apartment in one of the many, many neighborhoods in Seoul. He is the President of a Publishing Company which printed ours and Tass's book, called "Heavenly Word". They are also part of the fellowship that stand with Israel, and he himself teaches about the Biblical importance of the Jewish roots of the faith in many places. They treated us like kings, and are beautiful servants of the Lord.
David and I spoke in many assemblies, not only in Seoul this time but in fellowships in the South of the country. We visited the city of Pohang, on the southeastern coast of S. Korea. Pohang is home to the third largest steel mill in the world - Posco Steel. We were so impressed by the factory complex that we saw which has 40,000 employees. We were able to see the steel being flattened and shaped, watching a huge slab of red hot lava-like steel on a huge conveyor belt cooled and flattened and rolled into huge rolls. They have their own harbor where they receive the raw materials, and the infrastructure of the complex is absolutely huge. It's just amazing the intelligence that God has given to man to be able to do these things. We were told that this was the smaller industrial park; there was another that was bigger and employed even more people. The company also has its own university which is a very exclusive school of technology with a ratio of just 8 students to one professor, in which they train and educate the future engineers and technical people. Most of the residents of Pohang work for the company.
In the midst of this flourishing industrial city, is a vibrant and growing Body of believers. The fellowship we visited is part of the Israel prayer fellowship, and received us and the testimony of our tragedy which God has turned into triumph with love and encouragement. The pastor, Kim Chan Yoo and his wife hosted us, put us up in an historic hotel in the area, situated in a beautiful park, which was the former Presidential home and in which many celebrities have stayed on their visits to Pohang. We had two meetings and the next day, we toured the city and Posco Industry before boarding the train to return to Seoul. Another day we boarded a train for a 3 hour journey to a Southwestern city of Korea where we spoke at a Bible school, hosted by Prof. Kim Nong Oh and his family. We traveled on trains whose speed was 300 km. per hour, or 180 mph.
Other days we journeyed to areas one hour south of Seoul to many different fellowships and assemblies. We were able to speak, share our story, and to be encouraged. Other blessings included a chance to share in the chapel services of a well known University in Seoul, and in one of the most renown Seminaries as well. We also visited the Calvinistic Museum which houses original writings of John Calvin and the history of modern day Christianity. We visited a church in the countryside, pastored by a brother who in his past life was dedicated to Confucianism and violently opposed to the Gospel, to the point of doing physical harm to believers, but who was miraculously saved.
However, one of the most impacting events was our visit to a mountaintop Memorial to those who gave their lives for the introduction of the Gospel to Korea. The very first American missionary to Korea was killed for his efforts by the locals, but before his death gave out the first Bibles and planted the first seeds in the hearts of the Korean people. After that, during her long and difficult history, especially when Korea was under Japanese domination, hundreds of men and women were martyred for their faith. They are the foundation of the Body of Messiah in Korea, and we were gripped by the bravery of the men and women who willingly gave their lives for Yeshua.
FIREWORKS
While we were there North Korea fired 150 missiles onto South Korean territory. This was the second in recent outright attacks on South Korea, the first having been the sinking of a naval ship one month before. Some of the missiles hit an island, killing two soldiers, two civilians and wounding 15. It was a crisis, demanding a response of some kind, but compounded by the fact that the N. Korean leader is a madman with nuclear weapons at his disposal. We could identify with them as Israel is also always on the defensive against our threat from the north, and it was a tense moment. The believers responded calmly and with intensified prayer, and by the next day the situation had momentarily cooled down and talks were held.
South Korea needs much prayer in regards to their Northern neighbor. They are after all, brothers, and the division in the country is painful, especially for the families that are forcibly seperated. It is clear that the North Korean government is trying to elicit a military response from the South, and the believers there are praying for wisdom, and direction from God for their government.
THANKS
We want to extend our thanks to all the Pastors and the Assemblies that we visited; Pastor Choi, Jong-in; Pastor Park, Jae-Nam; Rev. S.K. Chung of the Calvinistic University; Pastor Sooon Wook H ong; Jason Ahn; President of the Presbyterian Colleg and Theological Seminary, Young Ihl Chang.
There were also so many who served us tirelessly to make our trip successful. Many thanks to Joseph who was our personal guide and organizer. He was a career officer in the army until August of this year when he retired to go to medical school to become a physician! He kept our schedule updated, organized our traveling times, coordinated with the Pastors and fellowships, carried our books and paraphernalia, and simply accompanied us every step of our journey. He did it all with precise military precision, and we are so grateful that we had the opportunity to meet this servant of the Lord! Many thanks to all of our translators who traveled with us, translating not only our testimony and messages, but every conversation, which meant translation non-stop all day long. And of course thanks to Joanne Lee, the producer of "Restoration" and "Forgiveness" who initiated our visit, had our book published, and has been a blessing in our lives from the moment we met her.
The hearing in which it will be decided if Yakov "Jack" Teitel is mentally competent to stand trial will take place this Thursday, Dec. 2nd at 9AM our time. We will write as soon as we are able afterwards, and thank you for your prayers.
We would like to urge you to always remember the entire Messianic Body in Israel in your prayers. Concerted efforts are made on the part of non-believing tour leaders and guides, plus those in the Ministry of Tourism who are involved in bringing Christian tourism to Israel, to keep visitors from making contact with the Messianic Body. We would urge you when you come, to arrange for visits to Messianic congregations all over Israel, and to meet with believers, to hear their testimonies and to stand with us in prayer. We need your prayers and encouragement. We are so grateful for those who do make the effort to visit not only the historic stones, but the Living Stones as well.
Here is a link to some of the Messianic congregations in Israel if you are not familiar with them:
http://www.yeshuasharvest.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71&Itemid=18
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
We have a limited amount of copies of t he DVD "Restoration" to distribute. If you are interested, you can write to me personally, please include your mailing address, and I will let you know the details.
Thanks again for your love and support in the Messiah,
Leah
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE TRIP
The plane trip to Korea takes about 11 hours, and the time difference is 7 hours ahead of Israel. However, no time to recover from jet lag when we arrive there because as soon as we touch down, we usually are brought to our first meeting. This time it was in the largest church in Seoul, which has a congregation of 30,000. It is the Yonsei Central Baptist Church. The Senior Pastor, Pastor Yoon greeted us warmly, with a delicious Korean meal. Our good friend Taysir Saada was giving his testimony that night. He is the author of the book, "Once an Arafat Man". Tass, as he is known to all, was a sniper, and an assassin for Yassir Arafat. However, about 15 years ago he had a life-changing experience when he accepted Yeshua into his life to be his Lord and Savior, and his life was completely transformed. His born-again experience immediately led him to a complete change of heart concerning the Jewish people and Israel. As he studied the Bible, he realized that God had given the land of Israel to the Jewish people as an everlasting covenant, and he became a lover of the enemies he had once hated and fought against. His book was also translated into Korean, and he was there for its release as well.
Another event that was taking place during out trip was the preview of the new film "Forgiveness" which will be released in the theaters on Dec. 5th. Davidalso participated in this film, appearing in it, and organizing many interviews with several of the ex-Muslims that he led to the Lord. The film is about the reconciliation between Jews and Arabs that can only take place in Yeshua. David was responsible for making the connection between Tass and the film makers, and his testimony plays a major part in the film. The film was previewed in some key places and to the media, and afterward we had a press conference. The interviews appeared in 14 major newspapers in Korea.
Back to the largest church in Seoul, on the last day of our trip we shared our testimony there. The church is on an impressive, beautiful building complex with buildings housing t heir own Tv and radio station, Bible school and its own underground parking lot. However that is not what impressed us the most - it was the prayer of this blessed congregation. Every assembly in Korea practices early Morning Prayer, the believers waking up early for prayer at 5AM before they begin their working days. This has led to the exponential growth in the number of believers being added, and the expansion of the Gospel into every area and aspect of Korean life. This assembly has a prayer meeting every night from 7-10 PM. The power of the prayer is hard to describe and must be experienced firsthand, but their prayer sessions begin with a battle cry to the heavens - the leader and prayer warriors cry out in a loud voice - LOOOORRRRDDD! Then everyone begins to pray all at the same time, with a fervor that shakes the heavens, crying and weeping and shouting out their requests to the Lord. We felt the heavens open up, and we felt like we were transported into the throne room of heaven - it was amazing. I lifted up every prayer request I could think of as faith was palpable and you just knew because you knew there would be an answer - we were, after all, standing before the throne of God!!
This kind of prevailing prayer takes place all over Korea, in the 50,000 assemblies that exist there. As a result, the President of Korea is a born-again believer, there are many in the government and CEO's of major companies who are believers, and the Gospel is going forth in power. There are a growing number of fellowships who are praying for and standing with Israel as well, and they were the assemblies that we visited. Many of these assemblies have organized into an organization hat pray for and support Israel and Messianic believers however they can. Rev. Samuel Kim who is the founder and president of this Israel fellowship organized our schedule and speaking locations. He showed up for almost every meeting, often running on to his next appointments in his very busy schedule.
We were blessed to be staying, along with Tass, in the apartment of Kwon You-Sok and his wife, who have guest rooms in their beautiful apartment in one of the many, many neighborhoods in Seoul. He is the President of a Publishing Company which printed ours and Tass's book, called "Heavenly Word". They are also part of the fellowship that stand with Israel, and he himself teaches about the Biblical importance of the Jewish roots of the faith in many places. They treated us like kings, and are beautiful servants of the Lord.
David and I spoke in many assemblies, not only in Seoul this time but in fellowships in the South of the country. We visited the city of Pohang, on the southeastern coast of S. Korea. Pohang is home to the third largest steel mill in the world - Posco Steel. We were so impressed by the factory complex that we saw which has 40,000 employees. We were able to see the steel being flattened and shaped, watching a huge slab of red hot lava-like steel on a huge conveyor belt cooled and flattened and rolled into huge rolls. They have their own harbor where they receive the raw materials, and the infrastructure of the complex is absolutely huge. It's just amazing the intelligence that God has given to man to be able to do these things. We were told that this was the smaller industrial park; there was another that was bigger and employed even more people. The company also has its own university which is a very exclusive school of technology with a ratio of just 8 students to one professor, in which they train and educate the future engineers and technical people. Most of the residents of Pohang work for the company.
In the midst of this flourishing industrial city, is a vibrant and growing Body of believers. The fellowship we visited is part of the Israel prayer fellowship, and received us and the testimony of our tragedy which God has turned into triumph with love and encouragement. The pastor, Kim Chan Yoo and his wife hosted us, put us up in an historic hotel in the area, situated in a beautiful park, which was the former Presidential home and in which many celebrities have stayed on their visits to Pohang. We had two meetings and the next day, we toured the city and Posco Industry before boarding the train to return to Seoul. Another day we boarded a train for a 3 hour journey to a Southwestern city of Korea where we spoke at a Bible school, hosted by Prof. Kim Nong Oh and his family. We traveled on trains whose speed was 300 km. per hour, or 180 mph.
Other days we journeyed to areas one hour south of Seoul to many different fellowships and assemblies. We were able to speak, share our story, and to be encouraged. Other blessings included a chance to share in the chapel services of a well known University in Seoul, and in one of the most renown Seminaries as well. We also visited the Calvinistic Museum which houses original writings of John Calvin and the history of modern day Christianity. We visited a church in the countryside, pastored by a brother who in his past life was dedicated to Confucianism and violently opposed to the Gospel, to the point of doing physical harm to believers, but who was miraculously saved.
However, one of the most impacting events was our visit to a mountaintop Memorial to those who gave their lives for the introduction of the Gospel to Korea. The very first American missionary to Korea was killed for his efforts by the locals, but before his death gave out the first Bibles and planted the first seeds in the hearts of the Korean people. After that, during her long and difficult history, especially when Korea was under Japanese domination, hundreds of men and women were martyred for their faith. They are the foundation of the Body of Messiah in Korea, and we were gripped by the bravery of the men and women who willingly gave their lives for Yeshua.
FIREWORKS
While we were there North Korea fired 150 missiles onto South Korean territory. This was the second in recent outright attacks on South Korea, the first having been the sinking of a naval ship one month before. Some of the missiles hit an island, killing two soldiers, two civilians and wounding 15. It was a crisis, demanding a response of some kind, but compounded by the fact that the N. Korean leader is a madman with nuclear weapons at his disposal. We could identify with them as Israel is also always on the defensive against our threat from the north, and it was a tense moment. The believers responded calmly and with intensified prayer, and by the next day the situation had momentarily cooled down and talks were held.
South Korea needs much prayer in regards to their Northern neighbor. They are after all, brothers, and the division in the country is painful, especially for the families that are forcibly seperated. It is clear that the North Korean government is trying to elicit a military response from the South, and the believers there are praying for wisdom, and direction from God for their government.
THANKS
We want to extend our thanks to all the Pastors and the Assemblies that we visited; Pastor Choi, Jong-in; Pastor Park, Jae-Nam; Rev. S.K. Chung of the Calvinistic University; Pastor Sooon Wook H ong; Jason Ahn; President of the Presbyterian Colleg and Theological Seminary, Young Ihl Chang.
There were also so many who served us tirelessly to make our trip successful. Many thanks to Joseph who was our personal guide and organizer. He was a career officer in the army until August of this year when he retired to go to medical school to become a physician! He kept our schedule updated, organized our traveling times, coordinated with the Pastors and fellowships, carried our books and paraphernalia, and simply accompanied us every step of our journey. He did it all with precise military precision, and we are so grateful that we had the opportunity to meet this servant of the Lord! Many thanks to all of our translators who traveled with us, translating not only our testimony and messages, but every conversation, which meant translation non-stop all day long. And of course thanks to Joanne Lee, the producer of "Restoration" and "Forgiveness" who initiated our visit, had our book published, and has been a blessing in our lives from the moment we met her.
The hearing in which it will be decided if Yakov "Jack" Teitel is mentally competent to stand trial will take place this Thursday, Dec. 2nd at 9AM our time. We will write as soon as we are able afterwards, and thank you for your prayers.
We would like to urge you to always remember the entire Messianic Body in Israel in your prayers. Concerted efforts are made on the part of non-believing tour leaders and guides, plus those in the Ministry of Tourism who are involved in bringing Christian tourism to Israel, to keep visitors from making contact with the Messianic Body. We would urge you when you come, to arrange for visits to Messianic congregations all over Israel, and to meet with believers, to hear their testimonies and to stand with us in prayer. We need your prayers and encouragement. We are so grateful for those who do make the effort to visit not only the historic stones, but the Living Stones as well.
Here is a link to some of the Messianic congregations in Israel if you are not familiar with them:
http://www.yeshuasharvest.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71&Itemid=18
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
We have a limited amount of copies of t he DVD "Restoration" to distribute. If you are interested, you can write to me personally, please include your mailing address, and I will let you know the details.
Thanks again for your love and support in the Messiah,
Leah