NK Investigative Report 2001

North Korea Investigative Report

Week 10 - Current Efforts (cont)

An In-Depth Look

During our trip we saw how local Korean-Chinese Christians are instrumental in the effort to aid North Koreans. Sharing a common language and having legal access to enter the country makes them prime candidates for advancing the gospel among these people. We have witnessed people involved in various ministries, including food delivery, medicine delivery and providing shelter for refugees in China.

A Korean-Chinese grandmother uses six ID cards and different border crossing points to deliver food and supplies in North Korea. Chinese citizens are allowed to see relatives in North Korea once a year, but the grandmother knows that the North Korean government doesn't keep computer records of all the visits. She goes about once a month, bringing bags full of foodstuffs, oil and soap. She usually ends up giving everything away including some of her own clothes. Seeing the tragic lives of people in North Korea drains her spirit, and she says she refuses to go back each time she returns. But her heart for these people brings her back again and again.

We also met a Korean-Chinese doctor who delivers medicine and treats North Koreans while there. Although the act is humanitarian, it must be done secretly to avoid raising suspicion.

Several local Korean-Chinese churches have active ministries to help refugees. Pastors and members of these churches shelter refugees in their home while receiving financial assistance from missionary groups. The missionary groups use local believers to help meet the refugees' physical needs, while attempting to unlock their minds. The missionaries we met avoid direct contact with refugees because if they told others about whom they met in China, their missionary work would be endangered.

Success stories:
Since there are multitudes of refugees seeking help, the Christian group we met targets those who are willing to stay in China for more than 15 days. Most refugees only come for three to five days to find food and money and return home. This doesn't give the ministry workers sufficient time to teach them about the Bible and the gospel message.

Missionaries told us that of the group of refugees that stay more than 15 days, they are fortunate if one out of a hundred accept Christ during that time. Even before trying to talk about God, these missionaries have to deprogram them from the brainwashing they received in North Korea. Many are in shock as they learn about the truth of their country and the outside world. South Korean television broadcasts on local Chinese cable systems play a big role in awakening them.

When refugees go back to North Korea they tell their trusted relatives or friends what they've seen and heard. More and more North Koreans suspect that they are being tricked. Also, the church has already had a big impact on North Koreans. Many are told by their friends to look for buildings with crosses on them because that's where they can receive help.

Among the refugees, one woman genuinely accepted Christ in June 2001. She prays and studies the Bible for hours everyday, and it's evident that her faith has grown tremendously. She is very articulate and prays like a mature Christian. The missionaries feel that she could be an effective preacher in the future when the doors to North Korea open. Right now, our contact is trying to figure out a way to send her to South Korea. She also received baptism in our hotel room through our team leader.

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