울산에서 시작된 손님접대 스토리는 고양으로 올라와서도 계속되고 있습니다. 한 때는 집에 마당도 없던 시절에, 경주가족공원에서 드럼통을 잘라서 만든 불판에 바베큐를 준비해서 140명 정도까지 손님을 친 적도 있습니다. 물론 그럴 때는 현역 담임 목사 프리미엄으로 밥과 감자 준비를 교회식당의 지원을 받기도 했습니다. 현역일 때는 5, 60명씩, 때론 8, 90명씩 손님을 자주 사택 마당에서 치뤘는데, 은퇴와 더불어 더 이상 그런 대형사고는 치지 않기로 하고, 사용하던 야외용 테이블이든 뭐든 필요한 곳으로 다 분양했습니다. 그리고 고양으로 이사 올 때 ‘제발 올라가서는 손님초대를 하지 말라’고, 우리 집에 와서 접대를 받은 손님들이 부탁을 했습니다.^^
하지만 살아오던 방식이 이사 한 번 했다고 그렇게 빨리 변하기야 하겠습니까? 결국 손님은 아직도 끊이질 않고 있습니다. 지난 수요일에 다녀가셨던 김병진 선교사님이 뒷날 카톡을 보내왔습니다. <목사님! 안녕히 주무셨어요? 사모님께서도요? 어제 참으로 즐거운 시간을 보내게 해 주셔서 감사합니다. 목사님을 통하여 하나님의 일들에 대한 은혜를 입게된 거 모두 진심으로 감사를 드려요. 이제까지 과거에 삶을 다해 드려졌던 일에(십대들의 둥지, 복된교회-현, 울산신정교회) 대하여 참 마음이 힘들고 외로윘었는데 하나님께서 아름답고 존귀하신 목사님을 통하여 그 일의 열매를 보게 되어서, 많은 위로와 그리고 하나님께서 전혀 잊지 않으시고 다 받으셨구나 하는 마음이 들었습니다. 그동안 참 많이 과거의 흔적에 대하여 부정적이고 회의감으로 사로 잡혔는데요, 순식간에 30년을 뛰어 넘어서 하나님을 직접 뵈옵는것 같은 흥분을 감출 수가 없네요. 이제 아이들까지 (각각 선교에) 온전한 열매를 확인했으니 저의 삶은 하나님 앞에서 다 드려졌고, 이제는 그분을 뵈오러 가는 일만 남았다는 마음이 듭니다. 주님 앞에 설 준비를 하면서 어려운 주의 종들을 열심히 섬기고요. 그리고 형님 같으신 목사님을 자주 뵈옵고 맛있는 것도 대접하고 좋은 곳으로 여행도 하겠습니다… >
이 분은 울산에서 <십대들의 둥지>사역을 시작해서 경주, 포항으로 부천, 서울로 확장하다가 그 시점에 정부가 청소년사역을 주도하며, 많은 청소년지도자들이 생겨남으로 더 이상 그 사역을 하는 영적인 의미를 상실하게 되어 2005년에 청소년사역을 접고 그 장소를 선교사 쉼터 사역으로 변경했습니다. 그러다가 선교지로 보내시는 주님의 뜻에 따라서 U국에서 오래 사역을 했습니다. 2019년도에 “한국으로 다시 나가라”는 주님의 말씀에 의지하여 다시 한국으로 들어와서, 지금은 선교사를 이해하는 마음으로, 선교사 쉼터 사역을 계속하게 된 셈입니다. 그동안 아들, 딸 자녀들은 자라서 결혼을 하고, 각기 아이 세 명씩의 가정을 이루어 아들은 U국에서, 딸 가정은 더 힘든 나라 A국에서 사역의 뿌리를 내리고 있습니다.
<하나님 아버지, 사랑하는 주님의 종을 위로해 주셨으니 찬양을 받으소서. 온 삶을 청소년 사역으로, 선교사역으로 하나님 나라를 위해서 드렸는데, 위로와 격려보다는 때때로 조소와 비난을 받기도 했을 것입니다. 그럴 수 밖에 없는 것은 우리 모두는 교만하여, 우리의 기준으로 다른 사람들을 판단하기 때문입니다. 자신의 기준에 못 미치든, 자기의 기준을 넘어서든, 우린 입을 대길 좋아합니다. 오직 각 사람을 세우시고, 그를 통해서 당신의 뜻을 이루시는 크신 하나님께 모든 것을 맡기고, 하나님의 섭리를 묵상하는 지혜가 없사오니, 결국 형제자매를 비난하고 상처를 입히는 어리석은 자들일 수 밖에 없습니다. 우리의 허물과 죄를 용서하여 주시고, 이제 남은 날은 서로를 이해하고 배려하며 사랑하는 일에 드리길 원합니다. 천국가는 길에 선교사님 부부를 좋은 길동무로 주신 하나님을 찬양합니다. 영광을 받으소서, 아멘> 여전히 손님접대 스토리는 계속되지만, 아직 천사들을 대접한 경우는 없고, 다만 주님이 존귀히 여기는 선교사들을 대접하는 일정은 이 주간에도 잡혀 있습니다. “형제 사랑하기를 계속하고 손님 대접하기를 잊지 말라 이로써 부지중에 천사들을 대접한 이들이 있었느니라”(히13:1-2)
Our hospitality journey, which began in Ulsan, continues even after moving to Goyang. Back when our house didn't even have a yard, we once prepared a barbecue on a grill fashioned from a sliced oil drum at Gyeongju Family Park, hosting as many as 140 guests. Naturally, back then, with the perk of serving as active senior pastor, we received generous help from the church kitchen to prepare the rice and potatoes. During my active pastoral ministry, we frequently entertained 50 or 60, and sometimes even 80 or 90 guests in the parsonage yard. Upon retirement, however, we decided not to stir up such colossal events anymore, giving away our outdoor dining tables and everything else to wherever they were needed. Moreover, when we moved to Goyang, the very guests who had received our hospitality pleaded with us, saying, "Please, once you move up there, don't invite any more guests!"^^
Yet, can a lifelong way of living truly change so quickly just because of a single move? In the end, visitors continue to arrive without ceasing. Missionary Byung-jin Kim, who visited us last Wednesday, sent a KakaoTalk message the following day:
<Pastor! Did you and your wife rest well through the night? Thank you so much for giving me such a delightful time yesterday. I offer my heartfelt gratitude for all the grace bestowed upon God's works through you, Pastor. Until now, whenever I reflected upon the work to which I gave my entire life in the past ('Teens' Nest', Blessed Church—currently Ulsan Sinjeong Church), my heart felt so heavy and lonely. But through you, a beautiful and honorable pastor, God allowed me to see the fruit of that labor; thus, I received profound comfort, realizing that God had never forgotten, but had fully received it all. For all this time, I was seized by negative thoughts and skepticism regarding the footprints of my past, yet in an instant, leaping across thirty years, I cannot conceal my thrill—as if beholding God face to face. Now that I have witnessed full fruit even in our children (each engaged in mission), I feel that my life has been completely offered up before God, and all that remains is to go and meet Him. While preparing to stand before the Lord, I will diligently serve His struggling servants. And I look forward to visiting you often—a pastor who is like an older brother to me—treating you to delicious meals and traveling together to lovely places... >
This missionary had originally pioneered the ministry of "Teens' Nest" in Ulsan and expanded it to Gyeongju, Pohang, Bucheon, and Seoul. However, around that time, the government took the initiative in youth welfare work, and with the rise of numerous youth leaders, the ministry lost its spiritual distinctiveness. Consequently, he closed the youth ministry in 2005 and transitioned the facility into a shelter ministry for missionaries. Later, following the Lord's calling to the mission field, he served for a long time in Country U. In 2019, leaning on the Lord's whisper to "go back out to Korea," he returned to his homeland, and now, with an empathetic heart that understands missionaries deeply, he continues the shelter ministry. In the meantime, his son and daughter have grown, married, and established families with three children each: his son has taken root in Country U, and his daughter's family is ministering in Country A, an even more challenging land.
<Heavenly Father, be praised for comforting Your beloved servant. Though he devoted his entire life to youth ministry and missionary work for the Kingdom of God, he must have faced occasional ridicule and reproach rather than comfort and encouragement. This is inevitable, for all of us are proud and prone to judging others by our own standards. Whether someone falls short of our standards or exceeds them, we are too eager to pass comment. Lacking the wisdom to entrust all things to the great God who raises up each person and accomplishes His will through them, and lacking the grace to meditate upon God's providence, we inevitably remain foolish souls who criticize and hurt our brothers and sisters. Forgive our trespasses and sins, and grant that our remaining days may be dedicated to understanding, caring for, and loving one another. Praise be to God who has granted this missionary couple as wonderful traveling companions on the road to heaven. To You be all the glory, Amen.>
Our story of hospitality continues even now. While we have never entertained angels unawares, our calendar for this very week is filled with appointments to welcome missionaries whom the Lord holds most precious. “Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” (Hebrews 13:1–2)
Ons reis van gasvryheid, wat in Ulsan begin het, duur voort selfs ná ons verhuising na Goyang. Destyds, toe ons huis nie eens 'n erf gehad het nie, het ons eendag braaivleis voorberei op 'n rooster wat uit 'n gesnyde drom gemaak is by Gyeongju-familiepark en tot wel 140 gaste onthaal. Natuurlik het ons destyds, danksy die voorreg van 'n aktiewe leraar, ruim ondersteuning van die kerkkombuis ontvang vir die voorbereiding van die rys en aartappels. Gedurende my aktiewe bediening het ons gereeld 50 of 60, en soms selfs 80 of 90 gaste in die pastorie se binneplaas onthaal. Met my aftrede het ons egter besluit om nie meer sulke reusagtige geleenthede aan te pak nie, en het ons al die buitetafels en toerusting weggegee aan wie dit ook al kon gebruik. Boonop het die gaste wat voorheen by ons aan huis bedien is, ons gesmeek toe ons na Goyang verhuis het: "Asseblief, wanneer julle daar aankom, moenie weer mense nooi nie!"^^
Maar kan 'n mens se lewenswyse werklik so vinnig verander bloot deur een keer te verhuis? Uiteindelik hou die stroom besoekers steeds nie op nie. Sendeling Byung-jin Kim, wat verlede Woensdag by ons gekuier het, het die volgende dag 'n KakaoTalk-boodskap gestuur:
<Dominee! Het u en mevrou rustig geslaap? Baie dankie dat u my gister so 'n wonderlike tyd laat beleef het. Ek wil my innige dankbaarheid betoon vir al die genade wat God se werke deur u, Dominee, ontvang het. Tot nou toe het my hart so swaar en eensaam gevoel oor die werk waaraan ek my hele lewe in die verlede gewy het ('Jeugnes', Geseënde Gemeente—tans Ulsan Sinjeong Gemeente). Maar deur u, 'n kosbare en edele leraar, het God my die vrug van daardie arbeid laat aanskou. Daardeur het ek groot troos ontvang en besef dat God dit glad nie vergeet het nie, maar alles ten volle aangeneem het. Al die tyd was ek vasgevang in negatiwiteit en twyfel oor die spore van my verlede, maar skielik, terwyl ek oor dertig jaar heen spring, kan ek my opgewondenheid nie wegsteek nie—asof ek God van aangesig tot aangesig aanskou. Noudat ek selfs in my kinders (wat elk in die sending arbei) volkome vrug gesien het, voel ek dat my lewe heeltemal voor God neergelê is, en dat daar nou net oorbly om Hom te gaan ontmoet. Terwyl ek my voorberei om voor die Here te staan, sal ek Sy dienaars wat swaarkry ywerig dien. En ek sien daarna uit om u—'n leraar wat soos 'n ouer broer vir my is—gereeld te besoek, u op heerlike etes te trakteer en saam na mooi plekke te reis... >
Hierdie sendeling het oorspronklik die bediening van "Jeugnes" in Ulsan begin en dit na Gyeongju, Pohang, Bucheon en Seoel uitgebrei. Teen daardie tyd het die regering egter self jeugbediening begin dryf, en met die opkoms van talle jeugleiers het die bediening sy geestelike betekenis verloor. Daarom het hy in 2005 die jeugwerk beëindig en die perseel in 'n rusplek vir sendelinge omskep. Later het hy, in gehoorsaamheid aan die Here se wil om na die sendingveld te gaan, vir 'n lang tyd in Land U gearbei. In 2019 het hy, steunend op die Here se woord om "weer uit te gaan na Korea," teruggekeer na sy vaderland, en tans sit hy die herbergbediening voort met 'n hart wat sendelinge werklik verstaan. Intussen het sy seun en dogter grootgeword, getrou en elkeen 'n gesin met drie kinders gestig: sy seun het wortelgeskiet in Land U, en sy dogter se gesin arbei in Land A, 'n selfs nóg moeiliker land.
<Hemelse Vader, lof kom U toe omdat U U geliefde dienaar vertroos het. Alhoewel hy sy hele lewe aan jeugwerk en sendingarbeid vir die Koninkryk van God gewy het, moes hy sekerlik soms spot en smaad verduur in plaas van troos en bemoediging. Dit kan nie anders nie, want ons almal is hoogmoedig en geneig om ander volgens ons eie maatstawwe te oordeel. Of iemand nou tekortskiet aan ons standaarde of dit oortref, ons lewer maar te geredelik kommentaar. Omdat ons die wysheid kortkom om alles toe te vertrou aan die grote God wat elke mens oprig en Sy wil deur hulle volbring, en omdat ons nie die genade het om oor God se voorsienigheid te peins nie, bly ons dwase mense wat ons broers en susters kritiseer en seermaak. Vergeef ons oortredinge en sondes, en gee dat ons oorblywende dae gewy mag wees daaraan om mekaar te verstaan, in ag te neem en lief te hê. Lof aan God wat vir ons hierdie sendelingpaar as wonderlike reisgenote op pad na die hemel gegee het. Aan U kom al die heerlikheid toe, Amen.>
Ons gasvryheidsverhaal duur steeds voort. Hoewel ons nog nooit engele onwetend gehuisves het nie, is ons kalender vir hierdie week reeds vol afsprake om sendelinge te ontvang wat die Here hoogag. “Laat die broederliefde bly. Moenie die gasvryheid vergeet nie, want daardeur het sommige, sonder om dit te weet, engele as gaste gehuisves.” (Hebreërs 13:1-2)