The first woman sat down shyly next to me on the crowded bus and opened up to me (as many people do) when I asked her where she worked and she began telling me her story. She had been born in North Korea in the sixties when the Vietnam War was raging. Her family was captured when she was 2 years old and they were put into a debriefing camp because they were North Korean communists. They would be there to work off what ever debt the South Korean government felt was owed.
Her father escaped to the United States and would send money multiple times to pay someone to smuggle the rest of the family out of the country to the United States. Everytime it was failure, the payee would take the money and leave them high and dry. It took ten years and finally this woman's mother fearing she would die trying to work long hours and crying over the future of her children, sent this 12 year old child to escape and go to her father in the US for help. I can't imagine what it would be like at 12 to have to go with strangers and escape knowing you could be killed or worse, on a boat in the dark, scared but determined because there is no going back. It was a long hard trip for her and she knew it was a life or death situation. She succeeded and was able to get here and with help from her father they were able to bring over the rest of the family.
She has been educated, has an important job with the State, takes care of her parents now that they are older and is completely Americanized at all appearances but I can't imagine the hurt and the pain she bears from her past. She has not found God yet but I am praying for her. Every person on the face of this earth no matter how rough or how different on the outside has been created for His purpose. Everyone has a story to tell.
A thought for the day: Focus on your gifts and do good today. Remember that person you meet has a story and you might be surprised at what they have overcome just to be where they are today.
Romans 12:3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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