"Do I look 10 years younger than I am? It's all grace of our good God." A trace of suffering from a disease was nowhere to be found on Elder Hongki Park's face, which was as bright as sunshine of clear autumn sky. Hongki Park is a deputy director, Office of Civil Consultation in Fair Trade Commission.

9 years ago, he got a disease called 'pollution disease,' or 'public hazard disease'. It is a new kind of disease when pollution substances in the air go into the brain and spinal nerve system to cause spinal nerve breakdown. It is also called chronic fatigue syndrome.

"Sometimes, I couldn't sleep more than 5 hours a day. I could consume only water. I had more than 20 kg of weight loss. I was down to bones and skin. I was so tired of struggling against the disease and I frequently wanted to stop my life. But thinking of my good wife who had been caring for me without even getting upset once, and my two children, I could control myself."

But because of one book, he could finish his 7-year of suffering and begin a new life again.

"By chance I stopped by Chongno Bookstore and was looking at Christian books. One book caught my whole attention. I bought it and read it at home overnight. I shed so many tears."

It was "Tasting Eternal Life before Death" a testimonial memoir of Rev. Dr. Jaerock Lee. In the book he found assurance that he could also be healed.

In May 1997, he attended the "5th 2-Week Special Revival Meeting with Rev. Dr. Jaerock Lee". Listening to the message, he looked back on his life and shed so many tears of repentance. Even though he tried to live at his best, his life was like a drifting ship without having the hope for heavenly kingdom.
He repented of his past and received prayer of Rev. Dr. Jaerock Lee. He was healed of the pollution disease which medical science could not cure. Amazingly, he was diagnosed to be normal in more than 30 categories in his diagnosis including his blood test.

"I went back to my work in October that year, and I worked very hard to make up for the time I had been on a sick leave. I was so happy to be healed. How thankful it is that God is alive and we will receive blessings if we live in goodness! I really wanted to live by the word of God."

After experiencing the power of God, the Lord became his master of life, and he changed into a person who is bright and kind to everybody, and he came to seek the benefit of others even if it meant he had to take up loss. The joy of salvation and hope for the kingdom of heaven changed him into a generous and giving person.

He is recognized and praised by his colleagues as a truthful Christian. He also received the blessing of promotion, and he also had the honor to do the representative prayer in the "2004 Kwacheon Government Complex United Thanksgiving Service," which was attended by more than 500 government workers.

But what is more joyful to him is that all his family members and relatives have been evangelized, and more than 70 of his relatives are leading a truthful Christian life in main church and branch churches.

"Because I met God for sure, I could preach boldly, and maybe in their sight my life has changed into light."

Elder Hongki Park's family and his relatives who have become one in faith make others feel joy and richness in their heart as well.

By Jungmi Yim, tghm7@hanmail.net

With Relatives who have become believers