주일 아침에 일찍 집을 나서서 춘천 신포교회로 향했습니다. 최근에 장남을 떠나보낸, 처 이모님 부부 소식을 들었고, 그분들이 신앙생활을 한다는 사실을 새롭게 알게 되어서, 함께 예배하면 좋겠다고 생각한 것입니다. 특히 처 이모님은 국민학교를 졸업한 후에 대구 처갓집에 와서 결혼을 하도록 함께 지낸 분이고, 아내와 두 살 차이밖에 나지 않는 사이였기에, 친척이라기보다는 가족과 같은 관계였기 때문입니다. 그래서 아내와 처제를 대동하고 강원도 춘천으로 향했습니다. 시골의 두릅과 엉게 순을 곁들인 맛있는 점심을 교회에서 먹고, 30년 전부터 살고 계신 집으로 자리를 옮겨서, 뒷 동산에 나란히 묻혀 있는 형제의 사연을 들었습니다. 부모가 죽으면 땅에 묻지만, 자식은 가슴에 묻는다는 말이 있듯이 그 마음을 누가 헤아릴 수 있겠습니까?
<이모님 댁의 마당에 핀 금낭화>
그리고 오후 2시경에 집을 나서서 춘천역에 처제를 내려드리고, 길을 재촉해 속초로 달렸습니다. 속초에는 그동안 교회에서 전도사로 사역하시다가 작년말에 은퇴하신 분이 계셨기 때문입니다. “속초에서 잘 지내시죠^^ 혹시 21일 주일 저녁에 속초에서 함께 식사 가능할까요?” “ … 가능하다 마다요 감사합니다 저희집 주소는 …” “사실 뒷날 월요일 태백에서 <로이드존스에게 배우는 설교> 특강하러 가는 길에 낮에는 춘천, 저녁에는 속초를 찍으려고요^^” 은퇴 후에 새로운 삶을 설계하고 계신 분을 뵙고 싶어서 대화를 하다보니 “운전면허 갱신하려고 사진 찍는 김에 영정사진도 준비해 놓았다”는 말이 마음에 남았습니다. 우리가 전도사님을 처음 만난 것은, 32살 젊은 나이에 남편을 사고로 먼저 천국으로 보내신 다음이었습니다. 그 후 3년만에 “비로소 봄이 왔다”는 것을 느꼈다고 말씀하신, 제 기억 속에 그 젊은 분이 이제 영정사진을 준비했다니 삶은 참으로 짧게 느껴집니다. “총장님 사모님~~^^ 속초에 와서 두 분의 방문은 천사의 방문이셨습니다. 이렇게 먼 길 오시고 함께해서 행복합니다. 그 힘으로 또 하루하루 살아가겠습니다”
<속초 영랑호>
뒷날 월요일 아침 일찍 태백으로 달렸습니다. 우리 에스라 동문이신 최준만 목사님 부부께서 지난 10년동안 한 달에 한 번 정도 외부에서 강사를 청해서 그 지역의 목회자를 위한 성경강좌를 가졌는데, 저도 지난 3년동안, 봄이면 3, 4월에 한 번씩 강의를 했습니다. 지난 달에는 <읽는 설교 야고보서>를 근거해서 강의를 했고, 이번에는 <로이드 존스에게 배우는 설교>라는 책을 중심으로 강의를 했습니다. “월요일 오실 분들은 꼭 강의안을 읽어보고 오셨으면 합니다… . 분량이 많아서 읽어 오시지 않으면 (강의를 따라오기가) 쉽지 않을까봐 염려가 되네요~~” “다 읽었어요 내용이 너무 좋습니다 대(천덕)신부님께 책과 강의를 통해 성령론에 대해 잘 배웠었는데 설교자의 입장에서 신학적으로 잘 짚어주셔서 더 깊고 넓은 배움의 기쁨이 있습니다 감사합니다 ~ “ “저도 읽고 있습니다 우리에게 무엇보다 정근두 목사님을 연결해 주신 사랑 많으신 하나님께 감사드립니다 설교자는 아닐지라도 하나님 앞에서 자신의 소명을 인식한 로이드존스 목사님의 삶의 모습은 우리 모든 그리스도인이 따라야할 본이라고 여겨집니다 좋은 공부를 하게 해주셔서 감사합니다!” “오늘 봄날의 꽃잎을 바라보며 로이드 존스의 설교론을 감동과 기쁨으로 공부했습니다. 우리 모두 성령의 능력으로 이끌림받는 설교자가 되어 교회를 부흥시켰으면 합니다. 열정적으로 강의해 주신 정근두 총장님께도 고마움을 드립니다”
<강원도를 지나면서 속사촬영>
월요일 태백에서 1박을 하고 뒷날 화요일 고양으로 돌아오면서, 에스라 6기 동문이 사역하는 양서중앙교회에 들렀습니다. “김 목사님 저는 태백에서 강의를 하고 학교로 돌아갑니다 돌아가는 길에 목사님 시간이 되면 커피 한잔하고 싶습니다” “네 오십시요…오시면 영광입니다. 몇 시쯤 도착하실지 말씀해주시면 감사하겠습니다^^” 그래서 출발하면서 다시 톡을 보냈습니다 “목사님^^ 혹시 점심 약속이 없으시면 12시쯤 도착하여 식사 같이하면 좋겠습니다 저는 아내와 함께 움직이고 있습니다~~” “네, 괜찮습니다 알겠습니다.” 그렇게 해서 첫 만남이 이뤄졌고 또 교회 카페에서는 남양주에서 사역하는 이광식 목사님을 만나는 예상하지 못한 이벤트도 있었습니다. 돌아와서 김신 목사님께 톡을 보냈습니다. “오늘 급습한 불청객을 환대해 주시고, 퇴수회 초대까지 제안해 주시니 감사합니다^^ “ “오늘 총장님 뵙게 돼서 너무 감사했습니다. 늘 강건하시고 에스라를 은혜롭게 잘 이끌어 주시길 기도드립니다. 감사합니다 ~**~” 점심을 대접 받고 목사님이 손수 내려주신 커피를 마시고, 2시에는 일어나, 기다리는 일들, 사람들로 인해서 학교로 바로 달려와야 했습니다. “하늘도 땅도 학교도 모두 기다리고 있습니다.^^”는 사무처장 님의 톡이 날라왔기 때문입니다.
Leaving home early on Sunday morning, we headed for Shinpo Church in Chuncheon. Having heard that my wife's maternal aunt and her husband had recently lost their eldest son, and upon learning that they were living a life of faith, we thought it would be wonderful to worship together. In particular, this aunt had lived with my wife's family in Daegu after graduating from elementary school until she got married; being only two years older than my wife, she was more like immediate family than a distant relative. Accompanied by my wife and sister-in-law, we drove toward Chuncheon, Gangwon-do. After enjoying a delicious lunch at the church, accompanied by fresh country aralia shoots and castor aralia shoots, we moved to their home where they have lived for 30 years and listened to the poignant story of the two brothers buried side by side on the hill behind the house. As the old saying goes, 'When parents die, they are buried in the ground; when children die, they are buried in the heart'—who could ever fathom the depth of such sorrow?
<Bleeding hearts blooming in my aunt's courtyard>
Around 2:00 PM, we left their home, dropped my sister-in-law off at Chuncheon Station, and hurried on our way to Sokcho. A minister who had long served as a church evangelist and retired at the end of last year was living there. “Are you doing well in Sokcho?^^ By any chance, would it be possible for us to have dinner together in Sokcho on Sunday evening the 21st?” “ . . . Of course, absolutely! Thank you. Our address is . . .” “To tell you the truth, on my way to Taebaek the following Monday to give a special lecture on , I was hoping to stop by Chuncheon during the day and Sokcho in the evening^^” Desiring to visit someone who is designing a new chapter of life after retirement, we engaged in conversation. One remark lingered deeply in my heart: “While taking a photo to renew my driver's license, I had my funeral portrait taken as well.” When we first met her, she had just sent her husband to heaven ahead of her at the young age of 32 due to an accident. The young woman in my memory, who had once confessed that it took three whole years before she felt that 'spring had finally arrived,' has now prepared her funeral portrait—life truly feels so fleeting. “President and Mrs. Jung~~^^ Your visit to Sokcho was like a visit from angels. Thank you so much for coming such a long way to be with me; I am so happy. Drawing strength from this, I will live on day by day.”
Early the next morning, Monday, we drove to Taebaek. Pastor Jun-Man Choi and his wife, our Ezra alumni, have been inviting guest speakers about once a month for the past 10 years to hold Bible seminars for local pastors. Over the past three years, I have also given lectures once a year in spring, around March or April. Last month, my lecture was based on , and this time, the lecture centered on the book . “I hope that those coming on Monday will be sure to read through the lecture notes beforehand. . . . Because the material is quite extensive, I am concerned it might be difficult (to follow the lecture) unless you read it in advance~~” “I read it all! The content is wonderful. I had previously learned much about the theology of the Holy Spirit through Father R. Archer Torrey's books and lectures, but having it clearly articulated from a preacher's perspective and theological standpoint brought such deep and wide joy of learning. Thank you~” “I am reading it as well. Above all, I thank our loving God for connecting us with Pastor Keun-Doo Jung. Even for those of us who are not full-time preachers, Dr. Lloyd-Jones’ life of embracing his calling before God serves as a model that all Christians should emulate. Thank you for providing us with such a great study!” “Looking at the spring blossoms today, I studied Lloyd-Jones’ homiletics with deep emotion and joy. May we all become preachers led by the power of the Holy Spirit and bring revival to the church. I also express my heartfelt gratitude to President Keun-Doo Jung for his passionate lecture.”
After staying overnight in Taebaek on Monday, we stopped by Yangseo Jungang Church—where an alumnus from Ezra's 6th graduating class ministers—on our way back to Goyang on Tuesday. “Pastor Kim, I have finished my lecture in Taebaek and am returning to the school. If your schedule allows on my way back, I would love to share a cup of coffee.” “Yes, please come! It would be an honor. Please let me know what time you expect to arrive^^” So as we set off, I sent another message: “Pastor^^ If you don't have lunch plans, it would be wonderful to arrive around 12:00 and have lunch together. I am traveling with my wife~~” “Yes, that sounds great. Understood.” Thus, our first meeting took place, and at the church café, there was also the unexpected joy of running into Pastor Kwang-Sik Lee, who ministers in Namyangju. Upon returning, I sent a message to Pastor Shin Kim: “Thank you so much for extending such warm hospitality to an unexpected guest who dropped in unannounced, and even for inviting me to your church retreat^^” “It was such a blessing to see you today, President Jung. We pray that you remain strong and continue to lead Ezra with abundant grace. Thank you ~**~” After being treated to a delightful lunch and enjoying coffee brewed personally by the pastor, we had to leave by 2:00 PM and rush back to the university due to waiting responsibilities and people. A message from the Director of Administration had just arrived: “Heaven, earth, and the school are all waiting for you.^^”
Vroeg Sondagoggend het ons die huis verlaat en na die Shinpo-gemeente in Chuncheon vertrek. Ons het onlangs verneem dat my vrou se moederskant-tante en haar man hul oudste seun aan die dood afgestaan het, en toe ons hoor dat hulle die Here dien, het ons gevoel dit sou kosbaar wees om saam met hulle die erediens by te woon. Veral omdat hierdie tante ná laerskool by my vrou se ouerhuis in Daegu kom bly het totdat sy getroud is, en aangesien sy net twee jaar ouer as my vrou is, was ons verhouding eerder soos dié van gesinslede as bloot familie. Vergesel deur my vrou en skoonsuster het ons na Chuncheon in Gangwon-do gery. Ná 'n heerlike middagete by die kerk—bedien met vars veldspruite (dureup en eongge)—het ons na hul huis verskuif waar hulle reeds 30 jaar lank woon, en daar het ons geluister na die roerende verhaal van die twee broers wat sy aan sy op die heuwel agter die huis begrawe lê. Soos die spreekwoord sê: 'Wanneer ouers sterf, begrawe jy hulle in die grond; maar wanneer 'n kind sterf, begrawe jy hom in jou hart'—wie sou immers die diepte van sulke smart kon peil?
Teen 14:00 het ons die huis verlaat, my skoonsuster by Chuncheon-stasie afgelaai en ons reis na Sokcho voortgesit. 'n Geestelike wat jare lank as evangelis in die kerk gedien het en aan die einde van verlede jaar afgetree het, woon nou daar. “Gaan dit nog goed in Sokcho?^^ Sal dit dalk moontlik wees om Sondagaand die 21ste saam in Sokcho te eet?” “ . . . Natuurlik, baie graag! Baie dankie. Ons huisadres is . . .” “Die waarheid is dat ek op pad is na Taebaek vir 'n spesiale lesing op Maandag oor , en ek wou graag bedags by Chuncheon aandoen en saans by Sokcho^^” Omdat ons graag iemand wou besoek wat besig is om 'n nuwe lewensfase ná aftrede te beplan, het ons heerlik gesels. Een opmerking het my egter diep bygebly: “Terwyl ek foto's laat neem het om my bestuurslisensie te hernu, het ek sommer my begrafnisfoto ook laat neem.” Toe ons die evangelis die eerste keer ontmoet het, was dit kort nadat sy haar man op die vroeë ouderdom van 32 ná 'n ongeluk hemel toe moes laat gaan. Daardie jong vrou in my herinneringe, wat vertel het dat dit drie volle jare geneem het voor sy gevoel het dat 'die lente uiteindelik aangebreek het', het nou reeds haar begrafnisfoto gereed—die lewe voel waarlik so kort. “Rektor en Mevrou~~^^ Julle besoek hier in Sokcho was soos 'n besoek van engele. Baie dankie dat u so 'n lang pad afgelê het om by my te wees; ek is so gelukkig. Met hierdie krag sal ek weer dag vir dag vorentoe leef.”
Die volgende oggend, Maandag, het ons vroeg na Taebaek gery. Ds. Jun-Man Choi en sy vrou, ons mede-alumni van Ezra, nooi reeds die afgelope 10 jaar ongeveer een keer per maand 'n besoekende dosent uit om Bybelkursusse vir plaaslike leraars aan te bied. Oor die afgelope drie jaar het ek ook elke lente, in Maart of April, 'n lesing kom aanbied. Verlede maand was die lesing gebaseer op , en hierdie keer was dit gesentreer om die boek . “Ek hoop dat almal wat Maandag kom, vooraf die lesingnotas deeglik sal deurlees. . . . Omdat die materiaal baie breedvoerig is, is ek bekommerd dat dit dalk moeilik sal wees om te volg as u dit nie vooraf lees nie~~” “Ek het alles gelees! Die inhoud is uitstekend. Ek het voorheen baie oor die Pneumatologie geleer deur Vader R. Archer Torrey se boeke en lesings, maar om dit teologies en vanuit die prediker se oogpunt so duidelik uiteengesit te sien, bring 'n baie dieper en breër vreugde van leer. Baie dankie~” “Ek lees ook daaraan. Bo alles dank ek ons liefdevolle God wat ons met ds. Keun-Doo Jung verbind het. Al is ons nie almal voltydse predikers nie, dien dr. Lloyd-Jones se lewe—waarin hy sy roeping voor God ten volle besef het—as 'n voorbeeld wat alle Christene behoort na te volg. Baie dankie vir hierdie wonderlike leertyd!” “Terwyl ek vandag na die lentebloeisels gekyk het, het ek Lloyd-Jones se homiletiek met groot ontroering en vreugde bestudeer. Mag ons almal predikers word wat deur die krag van die Heilige Gees gelei word en herlewing in die kerk bring. My hartlike dank ook aan Rektor Keun-Doo Jung vir sy passievolle lesing.”
<’n Vinnige foto terwyl ons deur Gangwon-do ry>
Nadat ons Maandagaand in Taebaek oornag het, het ons op pad terug na Goyang op Dinsdag by die Yangseo Jungang-gemeente aangegaan, waar 'n alumnus van Ezra se 6de klas bedien. “Ds. Kim, ek het my lesing in Taebaek voltooi en is op pad terug na die universiteit. As u tyd het op my terugpad, sal ek graag 'n koppie koffie saam met u wil drink.” “Ja, kom asseblief.... Dit sal vir my 'n eer wees. Laat weet my asseblief hoe laat u dink u sal arriveer^^” Toe ons vertrek, het ek weer 'n boodskap gestuur: “Dominee^^ As u nie middagete-afsprake het nie, sal dit heerlik wees om teen 12:00 daar te wees en saam te eet. Ek reis saam met my vrou~~” “Ja, dis heeltemal reg, ek verstaan.” So het ons eerste ontmoeting plaasgevind, en in die kerkkafee was daar ook die onverwagse vreugde om ds. Kwang-Sik Lee te ontmoet, wat in Namyangju bedien. By my terugkoms het ek 'n boodskap aan ds. Shin Kim gestuur: “Baie dankie dat u 'n onverwagse gas so hartlik verwelkom het, en selfs voorgestel het dat ek u gemeentekamp bywoon^^” “Dit was vandag so 'n groot voorreg om die Rektor te ontmoet. Ons bid dat u altyd gesond en sterk sal bly en Ezra met groot genade sal lei. Baie dankie ~**~” Nadat ons met 'n middagete bederf is en koffie geniet het wat die predikant self gemaak het, moes ons teen 14:00 vertrek en reguit terugjaag universiteit toe vanweë die baie take en mense wat op ons gewag het. 'n Boodskap van die Administrasiehoof het immers pas ingekom: “Die hemel, die aarde en die universiteit wag almal op u.^^”