- Wednesday, December 21, 2011
- KiYong Kim
- Ministry Updates
- Comments
My favorite Christmas memory wasn't made in the comfort of my home or even in church - it was made in a leper colony!
For many years, my family joined a local church in Hong Kong the day after Christmas and visited a leper colony in China. We brought these men and women, each of whom were missing various body parts, gifts and shared the gospel message. The team of doctors and nurses that came with us treated their wounds and provided medical care. It was certainly a wonderful time for both the lepers and us!
What was most rewarding to me, however, was the love we were able to give the lepers. We looked at each person in their eyes (or eye), smiled and gave them a hug. At first, they didn't know how to respond. Within a few minutes, however, they were all smiling, laughing and hugging us back! Cast out from their home and forced to live far away from society, the thing they desired the most was to be viewed as a human being worthy of love.
John 4:19 says, "We love because he first loved us." Jesus came and showed us love. Because of this we can also show love to others and I believe that this is exactly what we did at the leper colony.
The reason why I love Mercy Ships® so much is because they don't wait for Christmas to show love and kindness in this way. Serving the poor and destitute in Africa, the volunteer crew on the Africa Mercy don't only provide their patients with medical care, they love them! They are there to love each person they come in contact with and show them in tangible ways that everyone, no matter what their physical condition, is valuable - after all, Jesus came to the earth for everyone's sake!
When I listen to The Mercy Minute® and the incredible stories of mercy, I am reminded of Christ's great love and mercy in my own life . . . and that causes me to want to share this love and mercy with others! The Mercy Minute®, therefore, in my opinion, is one of the best ways to spread CHRISTmas cheer!
KiYong Kim
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