Hye-In writes...

Hye-In greeting our Ubuntu team at the Comfort Women Rally

It has been a great opportunity during UBUNTU Korea as a staff at Scranton Women's Leadership Center. I had to take full responsibility of this program under my boss, Rev. Hea Sun Kim, although I was intern at that time. For me, this journey was different from other programs of our Center. Preparing some seminars in the past, I have met many young women and have prepared these programs for young women. But this amazing UBUNTU was a new challenge which kept me going to work hard during almost five months, nevertheless this program belongs to UMW. That's why it was very pleasured for me because I have never experienced UMW in the States before.  

          During 10 days of UBUNTU Korea, I could feel that God moves ahead of us, preparing the way we will take. God has already started with His great vision. However, there were some times when things did not go as planned during this blessed journey. At that time I looked back I believe that it changed for the better. It was these times my leadership skills were tested and I grew as a leader. I learned to be flexible and understanding with other people who were there in that situation.

          What I learned from all of UBUNTU members I met is warm-hearted from God. I now know why God placed me as a person in charge of this journey in Korea. Especially, I was so moved by each UBUTU sister's action and thoughts. They are preparing to serve God's work in every circumstance. What really comes to me was that 'How will you act justly, love mercy and walk humbly like them?' (This comes from Micah 6:8) God was asking me to think about this question from the beginning to the end of UBUNTU Korea.

Mary's photos brought me back.

Coming back home was filled with getting back into the groove of things. Taking care of the business that consumes life day in and day out.     How could it be that we left our little worlds for 12 days and got totally immersed in Korea and it's rich history within the Methodist tradition and come back to the tasks waiting?  

Speaking and writing to team members it is evident that we all hit the ground running and yet I'm sure a part of most days we find ourselves thinking about our experiences through the Scranton Women's Leadership Center in Seoul.   So tonight, here's a bit of where I am...

Rev. Heasun Kim

Young mom and son in his special
birthday outfit.  

   

 

Two women...one who crafted a marvelous journey and left no stone unturned and the other who is working to get her life on track for the her future but more importantly, the future of her son. 

Rev. Kim is the director of Scranton Women's Leadership Center (SWLC).  Our journey gave us an overview of our common, connected history through the women of our denomination.   I've always been in awe of the early Methodist women who pull and pushed and insisted that the church be in the world to respond to the need.  But through this journey, I felt as though I had met one of these women...Mary Scranton.  Strong, faithful and faith-filled woman who changed the face of Korea through education. 

 

Then to move from the history to reality of women who struggle just like women in the US.   Women who are being lifted up this month through our observance of eradicating domestic violence are in our prayers.   Last month we met a woman.  We did not learn her name yet she's been in my prayers this month.   We met her at the Nest of Love Shelter for women.   When we first arrived, I think the little guy was not happy for he was making quite a fuss from afar.   Maybe it was because he was getting on his lovely birthday outfit before worship.   But after a bit of a nap he awoke to enjoy our presence by "playing" with us during worship. One of his favorites was Mary.  She enjoyed so much the interplay, after the service she was given permission to take a photo of mom and son.   I'm so happy to have one photo taken at the Nest of Love Shelter.   She is one woman for whom we are in prayer as she seeks safety, time to heal, and rebuild a life for both her and her son.  Mom, know that I'm thinking of you tonight.  Peace to you and your son. 

Ubuntu Journey connects with an Individual Volunteer

 


Rita and Mary Beth Byrne meet on AU Campus

Rita Gaither Gant from Indiana Conference meets Individual Volunteer Mary Beth Byrne on the campus of Africa University. Rita was on the Ubuntu Journey to Sierra Leone in December 2012 and is now with Ubuntu Zimbabwe. 

 

Mary Beth Byrne has roots in Indiana Conference but now lives in Wisconsin.  She became an Individual Volunteer after visiting Africa University for the first time in November 2011.   She is assisting with student services in the area of counseling and guidance of students.   

We look forward to further reports for Rita and her journey to Zimbabwe.   Stay tuned for more. 

 

 



Blessings and more...

Dr. Oh, Chairman of the Board for Scranton Women's Leadership Center

One of the most inspiring hour during our journey was spent with Dr. Jong Nam OH.  We were honored to have a presentation by a very talented, brilliant and humble man.  Here is his bio...
 

Dr. Jong Nam Oh is Senior Advisor to Kim & Chang, one of the most renowned law firms in Asia. Dr. Oh is also the Professor/Director of Science & Policy Advanced Research Course at Seoul National University. In addition, he serves on the Board of Directors of Samsung Securities, GM Korea, and UNICEF Korea. Oh completed his term as the first Korean Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in October 2006 and joined Kim & Chang as Senior Advisor thereafter. Prior to joining Kim & Chang, he served the Korean government for 30 years, working mostly at the Economic Planning Board and later at the Ministry of Finance and Economy. Dr. Oh also worked in the Office of the President as Economic Secretary to the President during Kim, Dae-jung administration. From February 2002 through September 2004, he was Commissioner of the Statistics Korea. Dr. Oh earned his Bachelor of Law degree from Seoul National University in Korea and Ph. D. in Economics and MBA from Southern Methodist University in Texas, USA. (taken from the SWLC website)
 

Dr. Oh captured his audience of 10 by stating "Methodist Women brought change to Korea in 1885 - especially for women".  He then expanded on one particular Methodist Women -  Mary Scranton - and the relationship the Methodist had in assisting girls and women in acquiring an education.  His fascinating and very  personal story came forth over the next 20 minutes or so.  He gave credit  for all he is today to a woman who was widowed early in life (one month after the birth of their first son when the husband/father was killed in the Korean War), a single parent who raised a child by herself, a  woman who was a product of her background in a mix of Confucianism and Buddhism, and  a bright woman who stood strong against the expectations for women in her day to get as much education as she could and to make sure her only son did the same thing.   Yes, that son is Dr. Jong Nam Oh. He tutored kids while in 7th grade and noted that only 10 of 75 went on to 8th grade.   He is  what he is today because a woman paved the way for another woman to make it possible for him to get an education which has taken him all over the world in various field of expertise (as noted in his biographic information).  

In my notes that day at the top of the page I wrote... GOD IS GOD  for it seemed to me the God his mother relied upon is surely the God, same God, that we call upon for solace and strength.  This one special woman gave him everything including the strong desire to be a champion of women throughout his lifetime.   Thus he is chairman of the board for Scranton Women's Leadership Center for he too knows the strength of any society lies in the education of its women.  He accepted this position as a way to repay his mother for all she had done for him.    

Dr.Oh said "Korea is what it is today because of our education."  and he credits the early missionaries from the United States for bringing that education for all (women especially ) to his country. The desire for education is so strong and the demand for positions in these schools is great.   Korea's climb from the poorest of the poor to near the top of the world's economic leaders, rests solely on the total society's support for education for everyone.   

In another post I'll continue sharing Dr. Oh's wisdom and thoughts.  I'm still trying to read the quickly written notes and putting those thoughts together.   Thanks Dr. Oh for your dedication to moving Korean society to the next step where women in Korea will be given the opportunities for leadership roles someday soon.  All of this because of one woman provided him with lesson on a lifetime of learning.    "Every woman is authorized by God to be a leader."   To that end he gives time and energy to the Scranton Women's Leadership Center.

Prayer Shawl Ministries brought to Korea

Team members wear some of the Prayer Shawls that were shared for our Journey. 

Hye-In, Hei, and Kelly where Hei is joyfully wearing her lovely pink shawl.

 Prayer Shawls were brought from team member churches.  Some came with information as to how they were prayerfully made, a date the shawl had been consecrated, and all had been given in love.  

We are thankful to the women who prayed over the shawls and gave them to team members to bring to women we met on our Ubuntu Journey.   We were very fortunate to get a photo of one that had been especially suggest for Hei, the woman who guided us through the Ewha High School history room and buildings.   She was an absolute delight and it was our entire teams choice to give her one.   She loves Ewha, she loves life, and she loves her prayer shawl.

 Hei will always be remembered for her singing of the school song with Helen.  Helen had graduated from Ewha so for all of us it was a wonderful moment to hear the school song. 

Another blessing from our journey.        

The women who made our journey possible...

Karen, Hae, and Helen

 We could not have managed without these three women. Our team was blessed by these Korean-American women who joined our team.   They provided us with 24/7 Korean language assistance.   Thank you!!!!

The leadership team from Scranton Women's Leadership Center:
Rev. Kim, Hye-In Lee, Bomi, Kelly, Julia, and Sarah

The Scranton Women's Leadership Center put together a wonderful experience for our Ubuntu team.   Words cannot express how much we appreciated all their hard work and pre-planning as well as all the time they spent with us  as we traveled around Seoul and the DMZ.   Our jam-packed schedule was perfect for these the United Methodist Women for it is exactly the schedule we have come to expect.  We learned so much about a mission success of our past can only pray that we will continue to make that kind of impact in the future.   Thanks team SWLC !  

Standing with the "Comfort Women"

Helen reads a statement from our UMW delegation in English.  Karen (in the green rain jacket)  will soon read
this same statement in Korean. 

The woman in the center (yellow rain coat) listens intently.
She is one of the remaining "Comfort Women" and attended the rally. 

Rain did not deter those who gathered on Wednesday noon to make a statement in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, Korea.   There were speakers from the War and Women's Human Rights Museum, a drama group from Japan, and others who spoke in support of recognizing the aging women who were part of WWII.   All they are asking from the Japanese government is to recognize and apologize for what they did to these women who have endured much over their lifetime.  This Wednesday noon rally has taken place without fail every Wednesday for over 20 years.  
After the rally we walked to a shopping area and Bonnie was stopped on the street by a young Korean woman.   She had been at the rally and wanted to thank us for coming.   She'd decided that she should come to the rally this Wednesday and was moved by the statements that were made.   She thanked us for coming and lending one more voice to the call for justice for the "comfort women".  

  

Here are the words spoken on behalf of all United Methodist Women.

We are a delegation of women from many states in the United States representing the United Methodist Women. 

We are here today in solidarity with the grandmothers who have been protesting every Wednesday for the past 20 years in order to have their dignity and self respect restored. We are here to honor and support their struggle. 

Some of us present here (Karen and Helen) worked as members of a coalition in 2006 to help pass the House Resolution 121 in the United States Congress. This bill called for the government of Japan to make a formal apology to the women drafted to serve as "comfort women." This bill was passed unanimously in the house of the representatives and also in the U.S. Senate and a letter was sent to the government of Japan in 2007. As we all know, no action has been taken by Japan as of today. 

As members of an organization which endeavors to protect human rights of women and children, we demand the most speedy and complete apology from the government of Japan. We want to remind the citizens of Japan that the world is watching what they will do about this issue. 

We say to them that the memory of insufferable atrocities will not fade away in time. We also ask the government of the Republic of Korea to participate fully in removing the indignity and shame of its own citizens. 

We pray that the day will soon come when the aging Grandmothers no longer need to be on the streets protesting. We wish them health and the will to keep on fighting.

We promise you that we will continue to pray and stand by you until there is a resolution.

Thank you for your attention.