[귀향과 성탄선물 두 편을 글을 받은 분 가운데 답글을 보낸 몇 분의 글을 주로 옮겨봅니다]
“두분 울산에 오신것 환영합니다 글 속에 울산을 사랑하고 계시는 분이란 것이 마음에 와닿네요 얼굴로 뵙게 되니 감사드리고 년말 라이딩계획도 세우시면 …” “귀향을 환영합니다^^ 목사님, 사모님 한 이틀 지나면 따뜻한 남쪽 울산을 느끼실 수 있을것 같습니다” “목사님 ~^ 행복한 크리스마스 되세요 울산에 오심을 환영합니다 사모님의 커피, 요거트 목사님 양고기 맛있게 먹었던것이 생각나네요 항상 평안 하시고 강건 하시길 기도합니다. “성탄선물이 기쁜소식으로 가득이시네요.~ㅎ 에스라에서 많이 분주하셨을텐데~ 방학동안은 울산에서 생활하시나 봅니다. 시간 맞춰서 기도팀장님들과 한번 찾아뵐 수 있으면 좋을것 같습니다. 사모님께 폐가 안된다면요.~ㅎ 늘 강건하심으로 주의 일 잘 감당하십시요.^^?
“귀향 너무 감동입니다. 6시간 운전해 가시면서 행복해하셨을 것 같네요. 금방 시간이 흘러가겠지만 하루하루 소중한 분들과 행복하게 지내셔요.” <고맙습니다 더 영광스런 귀향이 우리 앞에 있습니다^^> <목사님 그 말씀은 저를 더욱 감동시키네요. 네, 영광의 귀향을 학수고대하는 크리스마스입니다.” <아멘^^ 아~멘~~> “‘본향에 도착할 때는 천군천사들과 천천만 성도들의 환영 속에 우리를 기다리던 아버지 품에 안길 것입니다. 우리에게 가장 좋은 날은 아직 오지 않았습니다’라는 구절이 마음에 와 닿습니다 한해동안 수고하셨습니다 Merry Christmas ?” “선물같은 글들 감사합니다 ^^ ㅎㅎ 울산에서 즐거운 시간, 선물같은 시간 보내시길…^^ ㅎㅎ”
“목사님 내외분은 정말 행복한 분이십니다. 존경합니다. 끝까지 이런 더한 행복도 계속 맛보시고, 느끼시면서 사실 줄 믿어 의심치 않습니다. 그 뒤에 줄서고 싶은 저희부부입니다.ㅎ”
“도저히 두 분의 신을 들기도 감당치 못하는 저희들을 곁에서 기억하여 주심에 몸둘바를 모를 따름입니다.” “귀향의 스토리도, 날이 밝으며 속속 도착되는 목사님의 선물들 스토리도 감동입니다.” “내 삶이 마름하는 날 … 천국입성을 위한 마무리 논의를 할 수 있는 지기요 형제자매가 있다는 스토리에 고개를 끄덕이게 됩니다. 소복소복 내리는 포근한 눈길을 걷는 것 같습니다. 행복한 선물들이 더욱 넘치는 날 되옵소서 아직 오지 않은 우리에게 가장 좋은 날에…?”
“1. 목사님과 사모님께서 평소에 예수님의 따뜻한 사랑을 많이 심어 놓으신 것이 읽는 저에게 고스란히 느끼게 됩니다. 존경하는 목사님과 사모님을 많은 사람들이 보고 싶어하고 그리워하는 것은 이 땅에서 예수님 사랑을 심으시고 천국에 삶을 사신 두 분을 보면서 많은 사람들이 두 분을 존경하고 기다리는 것 같습니다. 2. 모든 일을 앞서 행하신 하나님을 볼 수 있었습니다 목사님과 사모님을 만나게 해주신 하나님께 감사드리며 만날 날도 손꼽아 기다립니다 울산에 계셔서 너무 좋아요^^ 날씨가 추운데 감기, 코로나, 빙판길 조심하세요
존경하는 목사님 사모님 사랑합니다”
“우와~~^^ 두 분 그리운 고향 울산으로 내려 가셨네요. 저희 가정도 기도해 주신 덕분에 이사를 잘하고 정리 중에 있습니다. 두 분 겨울방학동안 건강하게 행복하고 따뜻한 시간 보내시길 기도합니다. ^^” “목사님~ 보내주신 글 감사합니다. 저는 어제 제게 무엇을하라고 이리 멋진 두분 앞집에 살게 되었을까? 그 큰 뜻이 무엇일까요? 일기를 썼습니다. 목사님과의 소통하시는 모든 분들의 마음을 아름답게 만들어 주시는 놀라움입니다. 또 그들의 마음 또한 참 이쁘네요. 지환씨네의 편지 등등… 마음이 이쁜 이들과의 교류는 언제나 좋은날을 만들어 준다는것을 목사님글에서 배웁니다. 감사합니다.” “목사님~ 저는 언제든 달려갈 수 있는 앞집에 사는 것만으로도~그 어떤 분들보다 많은 영광과 축복을 받았다고 생각합니다. ^~^”
“두 분이 저희에게는 마음의 고향입니다!” <그럼 고향방문 날짜 잡어셔야죠~~ ㅎㅎ> “ㅎㅎㅎ 저희가 모실게요~~~” “네.. 목사님, 감사합니다. 처음에 “성탄절은 울산에서! 유월절은 예루살렘에서”라는 문구만으로는 그 의미가 와 닿지 않았는데, 보내주신 글 읽으며 잔잔한 감동으로 다가오는군요. 기쁘고 복된 성탄절, 그리고 쉼과 회복이 깃드는 겨울방학이 되시길 기원합니다. 참, 제 신학교 동기 중에 이 00 선교사라는 사람이 에스라성경대학원 ThM 과정에 지원했다고 들었습니다. 그간 중국, 태국(?) 등지에서 힘들게 선교사역하다가 뒤늦게 어렵사리 학업을 재개했다고 들었는데.. 아무튼 배움의 기회와 함께, 목사님과도 좋은 교제의 기회가 주어진 것에 감사하다는 생각이 듭니다.”
“귀한 글 감사합니다~ 본향을 예비한 귀향을 하게 하셨고, 예수님 때문에 가능한 성탄선물을 풍성히 받으셔서 참 좋습니다. 평화와 기쁨 가득한 성탄되세요~~~” “그리운 고향? 울산에서 사모님과 행복한 시간을 맘껏 누리십시요. 맛있는 양고기를 먹었던 추억들이 새롭습니다. 감사합니다 감사합니다 또 감사합니다. 평안하십시요 존경합니다 목사님” “와우~!!! 목사님 울산 오셨군요~~~!!!!! 목사님과 같은 곳에 있다는것만으로 참으로 위안이 됩니다~~^^ 울산에 있는동안 회복과 쉼이 풍성하게 목사님 가정가운데 있기를 기도하겠습니다~~^^♡ “귀향 글 달콤새콤 새콤달콤 축하합니다 빨려들어갑니다”
“목사님, 건강하시죠? 바로 어제 은퇴식을 하신것 같은데 시간이 아찔히 지나가고 있네요
보고싶습니다. 몇년 전 풍운의 꿈을 가지고 교회를 사임하고 나온시간이 5년이 지나가고 있습니다. 그동안 아내의 아픔과 배고픔과 외로움을 통해 저를 바닥에 내려앉게 하신 하나님께서 잊어버리고 포기했던 기도제목들을 하나씩 이루어가고 계십니다. 특별히 이번 성탄은 종의 형체로 제 안에 내주하셔서 저를 쓰담쓰담하고 계시는 성령님을 충만히 느끼게 합니다. 목사님 늘 강건하셔서 주옥같은 단어와 문장으로 주의 말씀을 말씀되게 전해주세요
사랑합니다~^♡” <힘든 세월이 우릴 몰아가는 것처럼 느껴져도 느낌은 정확하지 않습니다
이제 쓰담쓰담하시는 주님의 품에 기쁨 가득하소서~~>
[Sharing several warm replies received from those who read my essays on 'Returning Home' and 'Christmas Gifts']
"Welcome back to Ulsan, both of you! Reading your reflections, I can truly feel in my heart just how deeply you love Ulsan. It is such a blessing to see your faces again, and I hope you can even plan a year-end bike ride..." "Welcome home! ^^ Pastor and Mrs. Kim, after a couple of days, you will truly feel the warmth of the southern city of Ulsan." "Pastor~^ Have a wonderful Christmas! Welcome to Ulsan. I still fondly remember the fragrant coffee and yogurt served by Mrs. Kim, and the delicious lamb chops you prepared. Praying that you may always remain healthy and at peace." "Your Christmas gift was overflowing with joyous news.~ haha. You must have been so busy at Ezra~ It seems you will be staying in Ulsan for the winter break. It would be lovely if we could arrange a time with our prayer team leaders to come pay you a visit, as long as it wouldn’t inconvenience Mrs. Kim.~ haha. May you always stay strong and faithfully carry on the work of the Lord.^^?"
"Your story of returning home is so moving. Even during the six-hour drive, you must have felt immense joy. Time will fly by, but may each day be spent happily with those dear to your hearts." <Thank you. A far more glorious homecoming still awaits us! ^^> <Pastor, those words move me even more deeply. Yes, this Christmas we wait with longing for that glorious homecoming.> <Amen^^ A~men~~> "The phrase, 'When we arrive at our eternal home, amidst the joyous welcome of heavenly hosts, angels, and ten thousand times ten thousand saints, we will be embraced in the bosom of our waiting Father. Our best days are yet to come,' resonates so deeply in my heart. Thank you for all your labors this past year. Merry Christmas!" "Thank you for your writings, which are like gifts. ^^ haha. Wishing you a joyful and gift-like time in Ulsan.... ^^ haha"
"Pastor and Mrs. Kim, you two are truly blessed and happy people. I respect you so deeply. I have no doubt you will continue to taste, feel, and live out such deepening joy to the very end. My wife and I truly hope to follow closely in your footsteps. haha"
"We, who are not even worthy to carry your sandals, are simply overwhelmed with gratitude that you remember us by your side." "Both the story of returning home and the tale of early-morning Christmas gifts arriving one after another touched my heart." "Having dear friends, brothers, and sisters with whom one can share reflections and finish well when our earthly life draws to its close... reading that story made me nod in deep agreement. It feels like walking gently along a quiet, softly snow-covered lane. May your days overflow even more with these blessed gifts, looking forward to our very best day that is yet to come...?"
"1. The warm love of Jesus that you and Mrs. Kim have continually sowed is felt so vividly as I read your words. The reason so many people miss and long to see both of you is that you planted Jesus' love here on earth and lived out heavenly lives before our eyes. That is why so many admire and eagerly await you. 2. I could clearly see God going before us in all things. I thank God for allowing us to meet you, and I eagerly count down the days until we meet again. We are so thrilled you are here in Ulsan! ^^ The weather is cold, so please take good care against colds, COVID-19, and icy roads.
Respecting you dearly, Pastor and Mrs. Kim, we love you."
"Wow~~ ^^ You have come down to your beloved hometown, Ulsan! Thanks to your faithful prayers, our family also finished moving safely and is currently settling in. We pray that during this winter break, you both enjoy a healthy, joyful, and warm season. ^^" "Pastor~ Thank you for your heartfelt writing. Yesterday I wrote in my journal: 'What did God have in mind for me that He let me live right across the street from such a wonderful couple? What could His great purpose be?' You have an amazing gift of making the hearts of everyone you communicate with beautiful. And their hearts, in turn, are so lovely. Like the letter from Jihwan's family... Learning from your essay, I am reminded that fellowship with people of pure hearts always brings forth beautiful days. Thank you." "Pastor~ Just living across the street, able to run over anytime, makes me feel far more honored and blessed than anyone else. ^~^"
"To us, you two are our true spiritual home!" <Then you must quickly pick a date to visit your hometown~~ haha> "hahaha, we will definitely host and serve you~~~" "Yes, Pastor, thank you. At first, the phrase 'Christmas in Ulsan! Passover in Jerusalem' didn’t quite hit home, but reading your reflection brought a quiet, lingering touch to my heart. Wishing you a joyful, blessed Christmas, and a winter break filled with rest and renewal. Ah, I also heard that Missionary Lee, a seminary classmate of mine, applied to the Th.M. program at Ezra Bible Graduate University. I heard he had struggled in mission fields in China and Thailand(?) before finally resuming his studies with great effort... In any case, I am so grateful that along with this learning opportunity, he will have the privilege of rich fellowship with you, Pastor."
"Thank you for such a precious message~ God granted you a sweet homecoming that foreshadows our true eternal Home, and you have received rich Christmas gifts made possible because of Jesus. Have a peaceful and joyful Christmas~~~" "In your beloved hometown of Ulsan, please enjoy blissful and restful days together with Mrs. Kim. Fond memories of enjoying delicious lamb meat together feel so fresh again. Thank you, thank you, and thank you once more. May you be at peace. With deep respect, Pastor." "Wow~!!! Pastor, you are in Ulsan~~~!!!!! Just knowing that we are in the same city brings such comfort~~ ^^ We pray that during your stay in Ulsan, your home will be filled abundantly with restoration and rest~~ ^^♡" "Your homecoming essay is sweet, tangy, and deeply delightful! I was completely drawn into it!"
"Pastor, how is your health? It feels like your retirement service was just yesterday, yet time flies so quickly.
I miss you dearly. It has already been five years since I resigned from church ministry with bold dreams. Through my wife’s illness, financial hardship, and loneliness, God brought me down to rock bottom, and yet He has been faithfully fulfilling, one by one, the prayer requests I had forgotten and given up on. Especially this Christmas, I deeply sense the Holy Spirit dwelling within me in the form of a servant, gently stroking and comforting my heart. Pastor, please always stay strong in health so that you may continue to proclaim the Word of the Lord with your priceless words and prose.
We love you~^♡" <Even when difficult seasons feel as though they are driving us to the edge, our feelings do not tell the whole truth.
May you be filled with joy in the embrace of the Lord who gently comforts and strokes your soul~~>
['n Deel van die hartlike antwoorde wat ontvang is van diegene wat my opstelle oor 'Tuiskoms' en 'Kersgeskenke' gelees het]
"Welkom terug in Ulsan, albei van u! Terwyl ek u woorde lees, kan ek in my hart aanvoel hoe diep u Ulsan liefhet. Dit is wonderlik om weer u gesigte te kan sien, en as u dalk nog 'n jaareind-fietstoer beplan..." "Welkom tuis! ^^ Dominee en mev. Kim, oor so 'n dag of twee sal u die warmte van die suidelike Ulsan kan ervaar." "Dominee ~^ Geseënde Kersfees vir u! Welkom in Ulsan. Ek onthou nog so goed die heerlike koffie en jogurt wat mev. Kim voorgesit het, en die smaaklike lamsvleis wat u voorberei het. Ek bid dat u altyd vrede en goeie gesondheid mag geniet." "U Kersgeskenk was waarlik vol blye boodskappe.~ haha. U moes seker baie besig gewees het by Ezra~ Dit lyk of u gedurende die vakansie in Ulsan gaan vertoef. Dit sal wonderlik wees as ons 'n geskikte tyd saam met die gebedsleiers kan reël om by u aan te gaan, solank dit nie vir mev. Kim tot las is nie.~ haha. Bly altyd sterk om die Here se werk getrou te verrig.^^?"
"U tuiskoms-verhaal is so roerend. Selfs gedurende die ses uur se ry moes u seker baie gelukkig gevoel het. Die tyd vlieg wel vinnig verby, maar geniet elke kosbare dag saam met diegene wat u na aan die hart lê." <Dankie. 'n Veel heerliker tuiskoms lê nog voor ons! ^^> <Dominee, daardie woorde raak my nog dieper. Ja, dit is 'n Kersfees waarin ons met groot verlange uitsien na daardie heerlike tuiskoms.> <Amen^^ A~men~~> "Die woorde: 'Wanneer ons by ons ewige tuiste aankom, sal ons tussen die verwelkoming van hemelse leërskares, engele en tienduisende heiliges omhels word in die boesem van die Vader wat op ons wag. Ons beste dag het nog nie aangebreek nie' – dit het my diep geraak. Baie dankie vir al u getroue arbeid die afgelope jaar. Geseënde Kersfees!" "Baie dankie vir hierdie geskrifte wat soos geskenke voel. ^^ haha. Mag u 'n vreugdevolle, geskenk-agtige tyd in Ulsan deurbring.... ^^ haha"
"Dominee en mev. Kim, u is waarlik geseënde en gelukkige mense. Ons respekteer u opreg. Ons twyfel nie dat u tot aan die einde sal voortgaan om hierdie toenemende vreugde te smaak, te beleef en uit te leef nie. Ek en my vrou wil baie graag in u voetspore volg. haha"
"Ons, wat nie eers werd is om u sandale te dra nie, is oorweldig deur dankbaarheid dat u ons steeds aan u sy onthou." "Sowel die storie van die tuiskoms as die vroeë oggendverhale van die geskenke wat bly opdaag, roer my hart." "Om boesemvriende, broers en susters te hê met wie 'n mens die laaste afronding kan bespreek wanneer ons aardse lewensreis ten einde loop... om dit te lees, laat my net instemmend knik. Dit voel soos 'n sagte wandeling op 'n stil, sneeubedekte paadjie. Mag u dae nog meer oorloop van vreugdevolle geskenke, op pad na daardie allerbeste dag wat nog vir ons voorlê...?"
"1. Die warm liefde van Jesus wat u en mev. Kim altyd so mildelik gesaai het, straal helder deur elke woord wat ek lees. Die rede waarom so baie mense verlang om u te sien, is omdat u Jesus se liefde hier op aarde gesaai het en 'n hemelse lewe geleef het. Daarom kyk so baie mense met diepe agting na u op en wag hulle op u koms. 2. Ek kon duidelik sien hoe God in alles vooruit gegaan het. Ek dank die Here dat Hy ons paaie met u s'n laat kruis het, en ek tel die dae af tot ons mekaar weer ontmoet. Dit is wonderlik dat u in Ulsan is! ^^ Die weer is koud, so pas asseblief mooi op vir verkoue, COVID en ysige paaie.
Geagte Dominee en mev. Kim, ons is baie lief vir u."
"Sjoe~~ ^^ U het afgekom na u geliefde tuisdorp Ulsan! Danksy u gebede het ons gesin ook voorspoedig getrek en is ons tans besig om in te rig. Ons bid dat u albei gedurende hierdie wintervakansie 'n gesonde, gelukkige en warm tyd sal hê. ^^" "Dominee~ Baie dankie vir u brief. Gister het ek in my dagboek geskryf: 'Wat wou die Here tog hê moet ek doen dat Hy my reg oorkant so 'n wonderlike egpaar laat woon het? Wat sou Sy groot doel wees?' U het 'n merkwaardige gawe om die harte van almal met wie u kommunikeer, mooi te maak. En hulle harte is op hul beurt ook so lieflik. Soos die brief van Jihwan se gesin... Deur u skrywe leer ek dat gemeenskap met mense van 'n rein gemoed altyd goeie dae voortbring. Baie dankie." "Dominee~ Net die wete dat ek reg oorkant u woon en enige tyd kan oordraf, laat my voel asof ek meer bevoorreg en geseënd is as enigiemand anders. ^~^"
"Vir ons is u twee ons ware geestelike tuiste!" <Dan moet u gou 'n datum vasmaak om u tuisdorp te besoek~~ haha> "hahaha, ons sal u met ope arms ontvang en bedien~~~" "Ja, Dominee, dankie. Aanvanklik het die woorde 'Kersfees in Ulsan! Pasga in Jerusalem' nie dadelik vir my sin gemaak nie, maar soos ek u brief gelees het, het 'n stil ontroering oor my gekom. Mag u 'n vreugdevolle en geseënde Kersfees hê, en 'n wintervakansie vol rus en herstel. Terloops, ek het gehoor dat 'n sendingkollega van my kweekskooltyd, sendeling Lee, aansoek gedoen het vir die Th.M.-program by Ezra Bybelse Nagraadse Universiteit. Ek het verneem dat hy na 'n moeisame sendingbediening in China en Thailand(?) uiteindelik met groot moeite weer sy studies kon hervat... Hoe dit ook al sy, ek is dankbaar dat hy naas die studiegeleentheid ook die voorreg sal hê om in goeie gemeenskap met u te verkeer, Dominee."
"Dankie vir 'n kosbare skrywe~ Die Here het u 'n tuiskoms gegun wat 'n voorsmaak is van ons ewige Vaderhuis, en u het ryk Kersgeskenke ontvang wat slegs danksy Jesus moontlik is. Geseënde Kersfees vol vrede en vreugde~~~" "Geniet u geliefde tuisdorp Ulsan ten volle saam met mev. Kim! Die goeie herinneringe aan daardie smaaklike lamsvleisete voel weer so vars. Baie dankie, baie dankie en nogmaals dankie. Gaan in vrede. Met groot respek, Dominee." "Sjoe~!!! Dominee, u is in Ulsan~~~!!!!! Net om te weet dat ons in dieselfde stad is, bring soveel troos~~ ^^ Ons bid dat daar gedurende u tyd in Ulsan oorvloedige herstel en rus in u huisgesin sal wees~~ ^^♡" "U tuiskoms-brief is soet en vars en verkwiklik! Dit het my heeltemal meegevoer!"
"Dominee, gaan dit goed met u gesondheid? Dit voel of u aftrede gister was, maar die tyd vlieg ontsettend vinnig verby.
Ek mis u baie. Dit is nou al vyf jaar sedert ek met groot drome uit die bediening bedank het. Deur my vrou se siekte, gebrek en eensaamheid het die Here my op die grond laat beland, maar tog is Hy besig om die gebedsversoeke wat ek vergeet en opgegee het, een vir een te verhoor. Veral hierdie Kersfees ervaar ek op 'n diep manier die Heilige Gees wat as 'n dienskneg in my woon en my hart teer vertroos en streel. Dominee, bly asseblief altyd sterk sodat u met kosbare woorde en sinne die Woord van die Here suiwer kan bly verkondig.
Ons is baie lief vir u~^♡" <Al voel dit soms of moeilike tye ons voortdryf, is ons gevoelens nie altyd betroubaar nie.
Mag u hart vol vreugde wees in die koesterende omhelsing van die Here wat u siel vertroos en streel~~>