Remembering Miracles

It has now been just over three years since we returned home from our last visit to the DPRK prior to the abrupt and complete border closure brought on by Covid. Even now, there are still no flights, no passenger trains, no vehicle traffic allowed across the border. Limited cargo train service resumed in late September 2022 for government-sanctioned trade, raising guarded hope that it may eventually expand in time to include humanitarian shipments. As we continue to endure this period of uncertainty and waiting, you encourage us greatly by your faithful prayers, notes, visits and financial support. Reviewing God’s faithful provision in years past also serves to strengthen and encourage us. Below is a true and remarkable story from the Fall of 2004 that we hope will strengthen your faith in our loving and sovereign God.

2020 Fall Newsletter

Could anyone have anticipated that in our 25th anniversary year, we would not be able to do what we have done multiple times in every prior year of our existence - visit the DPRK to continue meaningful humanitarian work and ship vital humanitarian goods to the country? The Covid-19 global outbreak that rapidly gained momentum in January has caused profound loss and disrupted daily life around the globe in more ways than can be counted. The impact in the DPRK and on our normal work and activities so far this year has also been significant, but we are hopeful that it will ultimately prove to be a temporary, pregnant pause.

Fundraiser: The Gift of Clean Water

CLEAN WATER FOR A NORTH KOREAN FAMILY

Many North Koreans, especially those who live in rural areas, collect
their water from unprotected wells, springs, or rivers, and the water is
often contaminated. This leads to chronic diarrhea, malnutrition and
many serious health challenges. Diarrhea is the leading cause of death
in North Korea among young children.

For many years, CFK has been providing tuberculosis (TB) care centers
with Sawyer Point One water filter bucket sets. They have proven to
work very well in the local context, greatly impacting the health and
nutrition of patients recovering from tuberculosis. In 2020, we hope to
greatly expand this program in one of our supported provinces. Our goal
is to send a water filter bucket set home with every TB patient, and
every hepatitis patient being cared for in our HOPE for hepatitis
program. We know this will improve the health of these patients and
their families.

With minimal cleaning and maintenance, one water filter bucket set can
last for 10 years or more, providing clean, safe drinking water to all
the members of a household.

$25 will send the gift of clean water in the name of Christ to a North
Korean family. We invite you to join in this effort!

2019 Winter Newsletter

This work has, and continues to be a true journey of faith in the midst of great challenges and uncertainties. How fitting then that our morning time of devotion together was a study of the book of Hebrews – deepening our understanding of how worthy Jesus is of our faith, trust and worship. Hebrews 11 begins with the definition of faith:

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see…without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11: 1, 6, NIV) The 11th chapter is filled with examples of those throughout history who lived by faith – yet who did not receive what was promised, “since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:40, NIV) What an amazing promise this is – faith enables us to see the current context, whatever our circumstances, as temporary – with assurance that God is actively working to redeem and transform it to completion in His time and way. This gives us patience to endure struggles, knowing that our God is faithfully working even within the most trying circumstances – for our good and His glory.

2019 Fall Newsletter

Besides the unexpected change to our Fall schedule, we continue to face many other challenges in our work. Visits to DPRK are necessary in order to confirm the arrival of goods, deliver training, complete renovation work, and care for patients – yet sometimes even the most careful plans must be revised, and revised again. In this, we pray for patience, for endurance, and for His provision. Nevertheless, in spite of the challenges we continue to face, we thank God for His faithfulness in making a way…

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Praise Report

We are grateful to report that CFK, along with three other organizations, was granted a UN 1718 sanctions committee exemption covering many of the critical goods that we need to send in the next six months in support of our programs. We are also grateful for confirmation earlier this month that the US State Department plans to ease their travel restrictions on humanitarian travel going forward in 2019.

The needs of the North Korean people are great and we have been praying that despite tremendous hindrances, God would open up a way for us to continue the work in the DPRK. Both of these developments are crucial steps to reopening the full scope of our work.

Please continue to pray that a necessary OFAC (US Treasury) license will come through and that logistics and related administrative issues can be resolved. Please also continue to pray for ongoing diplomatic engagement efforts. We have applied for approval to return to North Korea in March and we are looking forward to seeing our patients, doctors, and colleagues in the DPRK once again.

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2018 December Newsletter

2018 has been a year of extremes - historic summits, symbolic announcements and high hopes, paired also with extraordinary challenges caused by significantly heightened sanctions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). In spite of these difficulties, we are grateful this year for the opportunity to meaningfully engage with and provide lifesaving help to thousands of ordinary people who live in the DPRK.

Please Pray for a New Day for North and South Korea

In a few hours, the leaders of North and South Korea will meet face to face - for only the 3rd time in more than 70 years - to discuss the future of the Korean Peninsula.   The lives of 51 million people who live in the South and 25 million people who live in the North hang in the balance.

As Jesus prayed, please also join in praying, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven."

There is much at stake, and much to pray for  - please will you pause and join with our brothers and sisters on the Korean Peninsula and around the world to pray that God would bring about His purposes, His kingdom in the hearts of the Korean people, and those in authority over them, to the glory of His name?

Christian Friends of Korea Gives Thanks for the Life of Evangelist Billy Graham

 “When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: 

“Death is swallowed up in victory.” 

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”  

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

  (1 Corinthians 15:54-57 ESV)

As we remember the life of God’s faithful servant, the Rev. Billy Graham, we give thanks for the powerful way he shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with millions around the world.

And we also give thanks for his courage and conviction to bring the same message of hope and reconciliation found in Jesus Christ to North Korea in 1992 and 1994, opening a pathway for Christian ministry in the DPRK (North Korea) that began soon thereafter and continues to this day through multiple ministries, including through Christian Friends of Korea.   

Rev. Graham sent a note of encouragement to CFK on October 19, 2000, saying, “My wife and I deeply appreciate the work of Christian Friends of Korea, and we are greatly encouraged by its ministry in the name of Christ among the people of North Korea. We pray for peace and reconciliation on the Korean peninsula, and we look forward to the day when all Koreans will have an opportunity to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” 

Billy and Ruth Graham had a special place in their hearts for the people of Korea, North and South, and we give praise to God for their faithfulness in sharing God’s love and grace with them and for opening a pathway for others to follow.

As we reflect on Rev. Graham’s life of love and service to God, may the closing words from this passage encourage each of us to persevere and to focus on what truly matters:

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”   (1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV)