Letter from Overseas

 

HyeRan and David Kim-Cragg write from Korea

 

Shinchang Apt. 1-cha, 109-101
Byungjum-ri, Taehan-eup

Whasung City, Kyungkee-do
Korea 445-974

 

December 2005

 

 

Dear friends and family,

 

Text Box: It is a thrill to be able to write to you from Korea. We hope that this letter finds you awaiting expectantly the coming of the Messiah and happy in the knowledge that you are worthy of God’s tremendous gifts of love.

 

Quite a lot has happened in the past year to bring us to Korea.  Last year at this time we were preparing for Christmas services in our beloved Burns-Mooreline/Mandaumin Pastoral Charge.  New Years Eve saw David officiating at a long-time-friend’s wedding.  Jeremy Bell and his fiancée Sunny were married in First United in Waterloo, Grandpa Cragg’s former church.  February brought the passing of two precious members of the BM/M Pastoral Charge and our family was deeply touched by the gift of being allowed to journey with the families in their time of loss and sadness.

 

With spring HyeRan renewed her focus on her doctoral studies.  Her thesis was in its final stages and the task of writing, rewriting and editing was all consuming.  Noah meanwhile was enjoying his co-op nursery school immensely and Hannah was being her own joyful self in whatever she did.

 

May brought news that the United Church wanted us to serve in Korea as overseas mission personel.  We were overjoyed and sad at the same time.  Leaving our home, our friends and our family would not be easy.  Packing began, Noah celebrated his 4th birthday, and at the end of June we moved out of the Mandaumin manse and into a semi-homeless state for a month and a half.  July and the first half of August were filled with final preparations, a transforming orientation event where many friends were made, a final canoe trip with family and a farewell party.

 

Arriving in Korea on August 17th we were welcomed at the airport by Mary Collins, a United Church co-worker, and taken to our new home where we were warmly greeted by HyeRan’s family.  In September we found a wonderful junior kindergarten for Noah and started to ease into our new work and surroundings.  We have made many friends in our neighborhood and Noah and Hannah are welcomed in a handful of homes as adopted children.  October and November saw HyeRan physically, emotionally and spiritually preparing for her thesis defense which she successfully completed during a whirlwind trip to Canada. 

 

On November 16th Hannah celebrated her second birthday with the help of family and many new friends.  As we prepare for Christmas in Korea our thoughts turn to yet another country, neighboring Philippines, where violence and injustice seem at this moment so overwhelming.  We invite you to learn more about what is happening there (www.united-church.ca (look under global justice)) and to perform a small act of solidarity with those who are suffering, be it a letter or prayer or something else.  Surely Christ’s advent has been, is being and will be experienced by our Filipino sisters and brothers.

 

Peace and joy to you all,

 

Hannah, Noah, David and HyeRan

 

 

HyeRan and David Kim-Cragg (London Conference) have just began a three year term as United Church of Canada overseas personnel serving with our partner The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK, along with their children Noah and Hannah

 

The work of overseas personnel and resources such as this letter are made possible through your gifts to The Mission and Service Fund of The United Church of Canada.

 

 

 The United Church of Canada, 3250 Bloor St W. Etobicoke, ON.  M8X 2Y4   Tel. 416-231-7680  ext. 4072