Sunday for me in Korea has always been a tiresome day. In my early days in Korea, I used to travel from one city to another to help begin Nepali Churches; there are now three such congregations and all of them I ministered by travelling every weekend. In those days when the weekend came, I felt two kinds of emotions; on the one hand I was excited to meet new people with whom I would spend long hours to share the love of God and also with the believers to teach from God's word. But on the other hand, I had to leave my family behind since it was not practical for them to travel with me for long distance every week. I wished for the day when I would be able to go to the church together with my family.
From this year beginning though, my wish came true. An English Church in Daejeon asked for my service while the Nepali Church in Seoul was also wishing for my return. I choose Daejeon and finally we all could go to the church together; well not together. The thing in Korean Church is that a minister must be present in the Church from wee hours of Sunday and remain in the church until the midnight. Fortunately for me, the church asked to come only from 7 in the morning to attend the staff meeting and then plan for the International worship and go home whenever it was done! So, even if we cannot go to the church together, we can at least come home together! This has also helped us grow spiritually and by the time we are home on Sunday, I feel a great sense of satisfaction and achievement. Unfortunately, not many Korean pastors and ministers can have the luxury that I have to spend time with my family. They are there in the church all the time while the spouse and children create their own kind of existence at home. I have met many individuals who are so tired of being a pastor's wife or husband and the same thing goes with the children. How true is God's word that if we fail to take care of our own home, how can we take care of the family of God?
Pastor's job is not without challenges, but for me, I would not give up this calling for a world of other things. It is in this calling that you get the privilege of entering in the world of other people where there is sorrow and joy, loss and gain, tears and cheers. When I see someone being touched with God's word and smile coming back on their faces, my mission is accomplished. In my early years, I never knew that what I say would make a difference in anyone's life, but may be the kind of experiences I have come from has accumulated something in me that finds resonance with those who are hurting in some ways. Even after staying years in Korea, I can never get hold of Korean language, but am so grateful to God for opening an opportunity where I could minister to Koreans and foreigners in English. Sunday has finally become the best day, not just for the ministry but also for the family!
Very good!
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