내년 1월 21은 우리가 결혼한지 50주년이 되는 날입니다. 지난 날들도 주님이 인도하셨고 앞날도 주님의 손에 맡길뿐입니다. 그래서 두 아들네 식구가 있는 미주로 떠납니다. 큰 아들은 미국 샌프란시스코에서 10년 넘게 살고 있고 둘째 아들은 캐나다로 이주한지 3년이 넘었습니다. 큰아들은 직장 때문에 이사를 갔고, 둘째는 딸 셋의 “좋은 아빠”가 되기 위해서 떠났습니다. 그 즈음 형이 전화를 했습니다. “엄마 아빠, 아들들이 모두 해외로 떠나서 어떻해요?” “괜찮아, 여기도 아들딸노릇할 사람들이 많아^^” 그 말을 하는 순간 생각이 스쳐갔습니다. “아들은 국내에 있으나 국외에 있으나 별 차이가 없어” ㅋㅋ 우리처럼 아들 둘만 있는 사람들은 무슨 말인지 다 이해할 겁니다.
하여간 감사하게도 아들들이 우리의 결혼 50주년을 앞두고 가족 모임을 주선했습니다. 아직 아이들이 유치원, 초등학교에 다니는 둘째네를 중심으로 캐나다 킹스턴에서 한 주간을 함께 지내기로 했습니다. 이 계획이 윤곽이 들어나고 있을 때 오타와한인교회와 연결이 되어 사흘간 말씀잔치를 하게 되었습니다. 오타와는 캐나다 수도이지만 크지 않은 도시라고 합니다 . 교회는 1976년에 세워졌다고 합니다. 처음에는 오타와의 한인커뮤니티처럼 시작했다가 지금은 다양한 신앙의 배경을 가지고 있는 교인들로 이뤄진 교회입니다. 예전에는 이곳에 세워진 유일한 한인교회였는데, 지금은 작지만 2개의 한인교회가 더 있습니다. 하긴 현재 교민이 3000명이 넘는 지역이니 2개의 한인교회가 더 있다는 것도 이해는 갑니다.
오타와한인교회에서 말씀잔치가 끝나는 다음 날 미국 아들네 집으로 날아갈까 하는 막연한 계획을 하고 있는데 어제 저녁에 시카고에서 온 친구를 만나서 저녁을 먹으면서 시카고에 와서 자기 집에 한 달을 있어도 된다는 파격적인 제안을 했습니다. 가장 편리하고 좋은 방을 ‘예수님 방’으로 명명해서 손님에게 제공하고 있다는 설명과 함께 손님유치에 적극 나섰습니다. 어떤 사이입니까? 충청도 온양고등학교를 졸업하고, 1967에 부산 송도 고려신학교 대학부에서 처음 만난 사이입니다. 요즘 용어로 말하면 67학번 동기입니다. 방학이면 하동까지도 예산까지도 친선방문을 한 사이입니다. 공유한 사연이 참 많은 사이니까 그런 제안이 의외는 아닙니다. 시카고를 가면 남아공 유학시절을 함께 지낸 친구가 얼마전 아내를 먼저 하나님의 품에 보내고 지금은 혼자 지내고 있습니다. 가야지요! 만나보고 싶습니다^^ .
거기서 한 주간을 보내고 샌프란시스코의 아들네로 가는 길에 LA를 들르고 싶습니다. 거기는 여러분 모두가 아시는대로 한국인이 많은 곳입니다. 누구라도 한 두 명의 친구는 거기에 살고 있겠지요? 저도 아내도, 우리의 좋은 친구들이 거기에 살고 있습니다. 특히 기억나는 두 분이 있습니다. 한 분은 이번 11월에 모국에 들어와서 12월 초에 동해바닷가에서 2박3일을 함께 지내기로 약속한 부부입니다. 탄포리교회에서 처음 만났고, 태국에서 단기 선교 2년을 마치고 미국으로 이주를 해서 몇 차례 여름 휴가를 함께 보낸 사이입니다. 다른 한 분은 요즘 <광야에 길을, 사막에 강을> 이란 책으로 만나고 있는 부부입니다. 저자이신 부부의 아내는 고등학교 2학년 한 반에서 1번과 4번으로 만난 친구인데 일찌기 미국으로 건너가서 지금까지 살고 있습니다. 특히 두 분이 쓴 책을 읽으면서 행간에 흐르는 비하인드 스토리를 만나서 듣고 싶습니다.
그러고 나서는 큰 아들네도 방문해야 하겠지요 1월 20일 도착하면 2월 5일 귀국 편을 타기까지는 아들내외에게 일정을 맡기려고 합니다. 저도 주도적인 어머니의 아들이지만, 그래도 나이가 들면 아들에게 맡기는 부분이 늘어나야 착한 아빠가 되는 길이라고 믿기 때문입니다. 바라기는1월 21일 당일은 아들네 집에서 한 평생을 돌아보는 감사하는 시간을 가졌으면 합니다. 참으로 모든 것이 넘치는 은혜입니다. 이번 가을, 학교 뒷편 산책길에서 호주머니가 넘치도록 주운 알밤을 보면서 하나님의 음성이 들리는 것 같았습니다. “내가 너를 위해서 아낀 것이 뭐가 있니?” “네 주님, 넘치도록 부어주셨습니다. 분에 넘치는 은혜가 지난 50년, 아니 75년이었습니다.” 그리고 그 좋은 분께 내일을 맡깁니다. 내일의 주인도 우리 주님이시기 때문입니다
January 21 of next year marks our 50th wedding anniversary. The Lord has faithfully guided all our past days, and we simply entrust the days ahead into His hands as well. That is why we are setting off for North America, where our two sons and their families reside. Our eldest son has been living in San Francisco for over ten years, and our second son emigrated to Canada more than three years ago. The eldest moved for his career, while the second left with the desire to be a "good dad" to his three daughters. Around that time, my elder brother gave me a call: “Mom and Dad, what are you going to do with both of your sons living abroad?” “Don’t worry. We have plenty of folks here who treat us like their own parents! ^^” The moment I said that, a wry thought crossed my mind: “Whether sons live in the country or overseas, it doesn’t really make much of a difference.” Haha. Anyone with only two sons will understand exactly what I mean.
In any case, we are deeply grateful that our sons arranged a family gathering ahead of our 50th wedding anniversary. Centering around our second son's family—whose little ones are still in kindergarten and elementary school—we decided to spend a week together in Kingston, Canada. While the outlines of this plan were taking shape, a connection was made with the Ottawa Korean Church, leading to an invitation to lead a three-day spiritual conference. Ottawa, though Canada’s capital, is said to be a modest, intimate city. The church was founded in 1976; beginning almost as a Korean community center for Ottawa, it has now grown into a congregation of believers from diverse faith backgrounds. It used to be the only Korean church in the city, but today there are two additional, albeit small, Korean churches. With a local Korean immigrant population exceeding 3,000, having two more Korean churches certainly makes sense.
I was vaguely contemplating flying to our son’s home in the United States the day after the spiritual conference in Ottawa concluded. Just yesterday evening, however, I had dinner with an old friend who was visiting from Chicago. He made the generous, unexpected offer that we come to Chicago and stay at his home for an entire month! He enthusiastically campaigned for our visit, explaining that he names the most comfortable, welcoming room the "Jesus Room" to host guests. What kind of friendship do we share? After graduating from Onyang High School in Chungcheong Province, we first met in 1967 in the undergraduate division of Korea Theological Seminary in Songdo, Busan. In today’s terms, we were classmates from the class of '67. During vacations, we would travel all the way to Hadong and Yesan on friendly visits to each other. Having shared so many chapters of life together, such an offer was hardly surprising. If I go to Chicago, there is another dear friend from our student days in South Africa who recently saw his beloved wife go home to the Lord and is now living alone. Of course I must go! I long to see him. ^^
After spending a week there, I would love to stop by Los Angeles on our way to our son’s home in San Francisco. As everyone knows, LA is home to a vast Korean community. Surely anyone has at least a friend or two living there. Both my wife and I have precious friends in the area. Two couples come to mind in particular. One is a couple who plans to visit Korea this November; we have already promised to spend three days and two nights together by the East Sea in early December. We first met at Tanpori Church, and after they completed two years of short-term mission work in Thailand, they relocated to the United States, where we shared several summer vacations together. The other is a couple I have recently been connecting with through their book, A Way in the Wilderness, Rivers in the Desert. The wife, one of the authors, was a friend from my second year of high school—we were student numbers 1 and 4 in the same homeroom. She moved to the United States early on and has lived there ever since. As I read their book, I find myself longing to meet them in person and listen to the heartfelt, untold stories woven between the lines.
And after that, of course, we must visit our eldest son. Once we arrive on January 20 until our return flight on February 5, I intend to place our entire itinerary in the hands of my son and daughter-in-law. Although I am the son of a rather strong-willed mother, I believe that as a father ages, learning to surrender more decisions to one's children is the true way to be a good dad. My hope is that on the day of January 21 itself, we might share a quiet time of thanksgiving at our son's home, looking back over a lifetime together. Truly, everything has been an overflowing grace. Walking along the path behind the university this autumn, looking at the wild chestnuts filling my pockets to overflowing, I seemed to hear God’s gentle whisper: “What have I ever withheld from you?” “Indeed, Lord, You have poured out Your blessings until they overflow. The past fifty years—nay, seventy-five years—have been grace far beyond my deserving.” And so, into the hands of that gracious Lord, I commit tomorrow as well. For the Lord Himself is the Master of tomorrow.
Op 21 Januarie aanstaande jaar is dit presies 50 jaar sedert ons getroud is. Die Here het ons dae in die verlede getrou gelei, en ons kan ons toekoms maar net met vrymoedigheid in Sy hande toevertrou. Daarom vertrek ons na Noord-Amerika, waar ons twee seuns en hul gesinne woon. Ons oudste seun woon al meer as tien jaar in San Francisco in die VSA, en ons tweede seun het meer as drie jaar gelede na Kanada geëmigreer. Die oudste het ter wille van sy werk verhuis, terwyl die tweede vertrek het om 'n "goeie pa" vir sy drie dogtertjies te wees. Teen daardie tyd het my ouer broer gebel: “Ma en Pa, wat gaan julle tog doen noudat al twee seuns oorsee woon?” “Moenie bekommerd wees nie, hier is oorgenoeg mense wat soos eie seuns en dogters vir ons sorg! ^^” Op daardie oomblik het 'n gedagte by my opgekom: “Of seuns nou in die land of oorsee woon, dit maak eintlik min verskil.” Haha. Enigiemand wat net twee seuns het, sal presies verstaan wat ek bedoel.
Hoe dit ook al sy, ons is baie dankbaar dat ons seuns 'n gesinsbyeenkoms gereël het met die oog op ons 50ste huweliksherdenking. Ons het besluit om 'n week saam in Kingston, Kanada, deur te bring, veral rondom ons tweede seun se gesin wie se kinders nog op kleuterskool en laerskool is. Terwyl hierdie planne vorm aangeneem het, het ons kontak gemaak met die Ottawa Koreaanse Gemeente, wat daartoe gelei het dat ek genooi is om 'n driedaagse geestelike konferensie te lei. Ottawa is wel Kanada se hoofstad, maar na verneem word nie 'n reusagtige stad nie. Die gemeente is in 1976 gestig; dit het aanvanklik soos 'n gemeenskapsentrum vir Koreane in Ottawa begin, maar bestaan vandag uit gelowiges met uiteenlopende geloofsagtergronde. Jare gelede was dit die enigste Koreaanse gemeente daar, maar tans is daar nog twee ander, hoewel kleiner, Koreaanse gemeentes. Aangesien daar vandag meer as 3 000 Koreaanse immigrante in die gebied woon, is dit heeltemal te verstane dat daar nog twee gemeentes bygekom het.
Ek het vaagweg beplan om die dag ná die geestelike fees by die Ottawa Koreaanse Gemeente na my seun in die VSA te vlieg. Gisteraand het ek egter saam met 'n ou vriend wat van Chicago gekom het, gaan uiteet, en hy het met 'n ongelooflike ruimhartige voorstel vorendag gekom: dat ons Chicago toe kom en 'n hele maand lank by hom tuisgaan! Hy het ons hartlik probeer oortuig en verduidelik dat hy die gerieflikste en mooiste kamer die 'Jesus-kamer' noem en dit spesiaal aan gaste beskikbaar stel. Wat 'n kosbare vriendskap is dit nie! Nadat ons aan die Onyang Hoërskool in Chungcheong-provinsie gematrikuleer het, het ons mekaar in 1967 by die voorgraadse afdeling van die Korea Teologiese Kweekskool in Songdo, Busan, ontmoet. In vandag se terme was ons jaargenote van die klas van '67. Gedurende die vakansies het ons mekaar selfs so ver as Hadong en Yesan gaan besoek. Omdat ons soveel lewenservarings deel, was so 'n gulhartige aanbod glad nie 'n verrassing nie. As ek Chicago toe gaan, is daar boonop nog 'n goeie vriend uit ons studietydperk in Suid-Afrika wat onlangs sy geliefde vrou aan die Here moes afstaan en nou alleen agterbly. Ek moet eenvoudig gaan! Ek sien baie daarna uit om hom te ontmoet. ^^
Nadat ons 'n week daar deurgebring het, wil ek graag op pad na my seun in San Francisco by Los Angeles aandoen. Soos almal weet, is LA 'n plek waar baie Koreane woon. Enigiemand het sekerlik 'n vriend of twee wat daar gevestig is. Sowel ek as my vrou het goeie vriende wat daar woon. Twee egpare staan veral in my geheue uit. Die een is 'n egpaar wat beplan om hierdie November na ons vaderland te kom, en ons het afgespreek om vroeg in Desember twee nagte en drie dae saam by die Oossee deur te bring. Ons het mekaar vir die eerste keer by Tanpori-gemeente ontmoet, en nadat hulle 'n korttermyn-sending van twee jaar in Thailand voltooi het, het hulle na die VSA verhuis, waar ons al verskeie somervakansies saam geniet het. Die ander is 'n egpaar met wie ek onlangs weer kontak gemaak het deur hul boek, 'n Pad in die Woestyn, Riviere in die Wildernis. Die skrywer-egpaar se vrou was in my tweede hoërskooljaar 'n klasmaat—ons was nommer 1 en nommer 4 in dieselfde klas. Sy het vroeg reeds na die VSA verhuis en woon vandag nog daar. Terwyl ek hul boek lees, verlang ek daarna om hulle persoonlik te ontmoet en al die ongekende stories agter die woorde eerstehands te hoor.
En daarna moet ons natuurlik ons oudste seun besoek. Sodra ons op 20 Januarie daar aankom tot ons terugvlug op 5 Februarie, beplan ek om ons hele reisplan in die hande van ons seun en skoondogter te laat. Al is ek self die seun van 'n baie dinamiese en besluitvaardige moeder, glo ek dat namate 'n mens ouer word, om al hoe meer aan jou seun oor te laat, die ware kuns is om 'n goeie pa te wees. My innige hoop is dat ons op 21 Januarie self by ons seun se huis 'n stil oomblik van dankbaarheid kan hê om terug te kyk op 'n leeftyd saam. Waarlik, alles is oorvloedige genade. Toe ek hierdie herfs langs die wandelpad agter die universiteit gestap het en gesien het hoe my sakke oorloop van die wildekastaiings wat ek opgetel het, was dit asof ek God se stem duidelik hoor fluister: “Wat het Ek ooit van jou teruggehou?” “Ja, Here, U het U seën oorvloedig uitgestort. Die afgelope vyftig jaar—nee, vyf-en-sewentig jaar—was genade ver bo my verdienste.” En aan daardie getroue Here vertrou ek môre toe. Want môre se Meester is immers ons Here.