Reverend Bill McKibben and his wife, Lori, from Medford, Oregon along with Lee and Barbara Spakousky from Richmond, California, had been anxiously awaiting their trip to Korea and Japan. On April 2, with spirits high, they headed off to the San Francisco airport to begin their thirteen-hour flight to Korea. On Thursday afternoon, after arriving at the Inchon airport outside of Seoul, they were met by Reverend Park Young Keun and some of the other saints, who took them to a restaurant and then to the motel for a much-needed rest.

On Friday, the group joined some of the Seoul church saints for the three-hour drive to the Daejeon church. Arriving at the church, they were greeted by many of the students who attend the church pre-school. Each class had the opportunity to have a special photo with the American visitors. The church service began with a special song from the church orchestra. The Spakouskys and Lori shared their testimonies and Reverend McKibben preached. A wonderful Spirit was felt around the altar following the service. One young lady, who has been very sick and in the hospital, checked herself out of the hospital to come to the service. She prayed very earnestly and received a mighty blessing from the Lord. Please pray for her continual and complete healing. Refreshments were served, and a time of sweet fellowship was enjoyed following the prayer service.

After taking a short sightseeing trip on Saturday morning, the group traveled four hours to the church in Busan to attend a service that night. The Busan saints were very happy to receive the visitors, and it was a wonderful time of fellowship. The Spakouskys again had the opportunity to share their testimonies and later joined with Reverend McKibben and Lori in a onetime-only quartet!

Sunday morning was a chance to join again with the saints in Busan for their worship service. This time, Reverend McKibben and his wife shared their testimonies and sang a duet entitled, “Wonderful Peace.” Reverend McKibben had the opportunity to experience an added blessing that morning as he was asked to dedicate twin baby boys during the morning service. Since he could only hold one baby, Lee Spakousky was asked to join him to hold the other baby while Reverend McKibben prayed the dedicatory prayer and blessing for the twin boys and their family. What a privilege and encouragement to witness parents who want to raise their children to love the Lord. Reverend McKibben then preached about the rich young ruler, who was admonished in Mark 10:21 to “sell whatsoever thou hast…and come, take up the cross and follow me.” He encouraged the saints to not go away with grief, but simply yield their hearts to God and let Him be in control.

After a quick meal at the church, the visitors and several saints from Busan and Daegu drove to catch the ferry to the “island church” of Okpo for its evening service. Dinner was served at the church and then they went right into the service. They were treated to much fine music, with the highlight being a special choir from the Daegu church. Following the sermon by Lee Spakousky, everyone enjoyed a sweet and tearful prayer service.

On Monday morning, the group headed to the little country church in Agyong, where a famous cherry blossom festival is held. They met with the pastor there, and though unable to have a service, did have the opportunity to spend time with some of the saints and encourage them in the Gospel.

On Wednesday evening, the group joined the saints back in Seoul for a final service in Korea. There was a good crowd, with several older saints making a great effort to come have a chance to worship with the American visitors. One elderly gentleman, who was unable to walk, had a brother carry him up the long flight of stairs so he could be in meeting. Reverend Harold Barrett's “water woman” came also, but could not make it up the stairs because she was too weak. She sat in the car all through the service just to have the opportunity to have Reverend McKibben and Reverend Park pray for her. Seeing their great faith should encourage all to prayerfully lift up the brothers and sisters in the Gospel. There may be language barriers down here on earth, but the Lord understands no matter what language is spoken.

On Thursday morning after sharing tearful goodbyes, the group members boarded the plane and were on their way to visit the saints in Japan, who were so excited to have American visitors and to be able to show their love to them. After being delivered to the hotel, about fifteen of the Japanese saints joined the group for dinner that evening. Then there were two days to rest and do a little sightseeing in Tokyo, guided by Reverend Hidehiro Ouchi and several of the saints. What a mass of humanity there is in that city! The saints in Japan are making a valiant effort to spread the Gospel to as many as they can, but this harvest field is not an easy one.

The Sunday morning service had a very sweet spirit as four different nationalities gathered together to worship. Japanese, Americans, Koreans, and Nigerians joined in unity to worship the Lord in song, scripture, and prayer. What an amazing experience to hear four different languages all trying to sing hymns together in the Japanese tongue! Reverend McKibben preached about the authority of God as spoken of in Matthew 7:28-29. He admonished all present to give God total authority in their lives so He will keep them. Just as the visitors gave authority to the pilot as they boarded the plane to fly to Japan, everyone should let Jesus be the pilot of their lives.

After the morning service, there was a time of food and fellowship with singing and some impromptu special music. Then came the bonus blessing: all had the wonderful experience of sharing the Lord's Supper and Foot Washing. What a humbling and blessed experience!

It was a tremendous privilege for the McKibbens and the Spakouskys to visit with the Asian friends and fellow saints. No matter what part of the world a Christian is in, when he is with the saints of God, it is like being with family because of the love of God that is shared. Pray for the saints in Korea and Japan, that God will encourage and help them to keep the faith and share it with others until Jesus returns.