One day in January 2024, I woke up in the morning and felt pain in my neck. I could feel a small lump. As time passed, the lump grew bigger and bigger to turn into a bump, and the affected area became swollen. It was easily visible, so I turned up my collar or covered it with a scarf. ...
"Joy and Blessings Overflow in Small Deeds of Service"
Senior Deaconess Hongja Seo, age 46, Parish 25, South Korea ▲ From left, Sister Hayoung, her husband Deacon Woongsun Kim, Senior Deaconess Hongja Seo, and Sister Dayoung
I was born into a Buddhist family in a small town in Gangwon province. When I was a third grader, I liked to hear the sound of the bell that was ringing from the church near my school. I would go to the church and sit there. When I went to middle and high school, I was allowed to attend church.
When I was a 12th grader, I vomited blood and went to hospital. It was tuberculosis. I took medicine but I continued to suffer pain. Because of severe pain and stomachache I was no longer able to take the medicine. I lost weight dramatically and had difficulty breathing.
After graduation from high school, I moved to Seoul and by guidance of an acquaintance I began attending Manmin Central Church in October 1991. Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee's sermon was so special and impressive. Moreover I was healed of tuberculosis through his prayer for the sick after the sermon! My parents who were Buddhists started attending church too. Hallelujah!
In 1999 I got married and in 2002 we took over my husband's father's business selling salt. Not long after I heard that Senior Pastor began paying for noodles the church members eat every Sunday though he had long devoted himself to helping the poor and extending the ministry inside and outside of Korea.
Since then we have been offering salt to the church. It has now been ten years. It was a small service but God gave us not only joy in our hearts but also great blessing in our business. The number of customers has not decreased. We have also used a warehouse for the salt that is about 330 square meters at no charge for several years.
When we opened a shop of a different kind, we received Senior Pastor's prayer. We also received financial blessings there. Lately we have also opened another shop though there were seven other people who had wanted to open the shop there.
Most of all, I am so thankful that all my family members have hope for Heaven and are working for God's kingdom. My husband Deacon Woongsun Kim works as Manager of cell leaders in Parish, I as a sub-district leader, and my daughters Dayoung and Hayoung work as group leaders.
My daughters and I belong to Performing Arts Committee: I, Perfume Chorus; one daughter, Sweet Rain Chorus; and the other, Clear Voice Chorus. We often offer our house for Cell Services of the male members since many other male members in our parish live alone. So I prepare meals for them with my heart thinking they want to eat home-made meals. When I see them eat together and talk, I feel very happy.
My daughters also permitted their spaces to be used for the Cell Service without any discomfort. In the meantime, they received unexpected blessings. My father-in-law had rented the house on the third floor in the building of our house but he decided to give the house to our children.
We give all thanks and glory to God who blessed us to have a happy family, to meet the precious church and true shepherd, and to live with assurance in salvation and hope for Heaven.
Manmin News 
12543
