Lausanne

I have been following various blogs from people at Lausuanne 2 which have been really interesting. Andrew Jones and Brett Anderson have soem good summaries of the conference.

A story from the conference thats stands out is of a an 18 year old girl from North Korea.

She was born into a wealthy family, her father an assistant to the North Korean leader, Kim Jong II. Eventually her father’s political fortunes shifted, and after being politically persecuted by the North Korean government, he, his wife, and his daughter escaped to China.

In China a relative brought her family to church where her parents came to know Jesus Christ. A few months later, however, her mother died. Her father started to study the Bible with missionaries and eventually the Lord gave him a strong desire to become a missionary to North Korea. But in 2001 he was reported as a Christian, was arrested by the Chinese police, and was returned to North Korea. Forced to leave his daughter behind in China, he spent three years in prison. During this time the girl shared that it only "made my father’s faith stronger” and that he “cried out to God more desperately rather than complain or blame Him.

After three years he was able to return to China where he was briefly reunited with his daughter. Soon after, however, he gathered Bibles having resolved to return to North Korea to share Christ which he did. He was given the opportunity to go to South Korea, but he turned them down.

In 2006 he was discovered by the North Korean government and was arrested. There has since been no word from him. In all probability he has been shot to death publicly for treason.

Now this 18 year old girl is determined to take the love of Christ to her people as well, regardless of the cost.

Like her father, she is not choosing the easy path of comfort and safety.

Those whom God has used to make some of the greatest Kingdom impact have been those who have not made decisions based on "what is best for me?" They made decisions based on an undeniable, unshakable, "illogical", "foolish" passion for Jesus Christ and for His kingdom glory among the lost.

What a challenge for us in a time where comfort and self are king.

You can read this courageous girls story here.