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The missionary history in Korea is a subject very dear to my heart.  I grew up hearing from my grandmother that her mother and grandmother knew some of the early American missionaries.  But it wasn’t until my family spent time overseas serving as missionaries that I got to appreciate their devotion and sacrifice at a deeper level. 

These early missionaries, mostly American and Canadian, left their home to share the gospel to the Koreans that had just opened their country to outside world in the late 1800’s.  These missionaries endured harsh environments since Korea was a very poor country with no infrastructure.  Some women missionaries lost their husbands and/or children to disease and accidents within few years of arriving in Korea , but continue on with their work to preach and teach, build schools and hospitals, and raise up future leaders. 

The stories of the early Korean Christians are incredible too.  Many women were not only given proper names for the first time, they were given opportunity to be educated in schools.  What’s more incredible is that these ordinary women rose up to their full identity and true freedom in Christ, and went on to become evangelists, nurses, and educators - even became martyrs during Japanese occupation. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by such cloud of witnesses.   

“As for us, we have all of these great witnesses who encircle us like clouds.  So we must let go of every wound that has pierced us and the sin we so easily fall into.  Then we will be able to run life’s marathon race with passion and determination, for the path has been already marked out before us.”  Hebrew 12:1 TPT

“그러므로 이렇게 구름 떼와 같이 수 많은 증인이 우리를 둘러싸고 있으니, 우리도 갖가지 짐과 얽매는 죄를 벗어 버리고 우리 앞에 놓인 달음질을 참으면서 달려갑시다. 히브리서 새번역12:1