A Christian North Korean fled his country to America, aiming for a better life. But he eventually returned to his hometown after responding to God’s call to feed the hungry.
Christian North Korean
Joon Bai’s family fled from their war-stricken hometown in North Korea. They traveled on foot and ventured to South Korea. After living in South Korea, Bai became an exchange student in America and earned his engineering degree. His hard work made him successful in business as he opened his factory in Pennsylvania.
One night while listening to the radio in his car, he heard the news of over 100,000 children dying of starvation in North Korea. He was so compelled by the information that he went home and told his wife about it.
His wife asked him how there are so many orphans in North Korea; he answered it was because of starvation. The parents would die from starvation, bringing the children to orphanages.
But the orphanages’ condition in the country was also dire. The facility could not provide clean water and milk. So, children would often die from diarrhea. And kids below one-year-old die from hunger because their bodies cannot cope with the solid food the orphanage can only offer.
Aid to North Korea
A friend advised Bai to send a palette of food to the North Korean government, which he did. North Korea responded with a letter of thanks, giving him access to return to the country so that he could offer help.
For five to six years, Bai has sent goods like corn, potatoes, hair clips, and washing machines to his born country.
“These kids, they break the bread in half and bring the rest home to their parents,” Bai recalled. “So, when I saw that, I thought, giving bread and rice and all that is not enough. I have to teach them how to grow the farm products.”
So, Bai started asking Chinese experts in farming to teach the North Koreans agriculture.
His efforts have resulted in an increase in food production for the country.
“It is in that process of being able and willing to help other people the faith grew. And I think God called me. It just happened very naturally,” he told Fox News. “My mind was full of passion to help those kids. Every second, my mind was focused on that.”
He added, “Today, I believe whatever I did is God’s will. He chose me to do certain things. That’s really what it’s all about. God’s faith in me gave me the courage to love other people. So, whatever is left of my life, I’m smiling.”
Reference: Fox News
Header Image: Random Institute [Photographer], North Korea metro [Photograph] (2018), retrieved from Unsplash, https://unsplash.com/photos/cu7ffTxgCAE
