Many pastors labor in poor rural areas in Asian countries, and if they die young, their wives and young children are left alone in very difficult circumstances. The result can sometimes be adolescent children blaming God, their mothers, or themselves for the death of a father. Deep anger and resentment can cause them to leave the church.
Rev. Abraham Woo-Song Chung and his wife, Hannah, of Kwang Yum Community Church in Los Angeles, Calif., started the Dream Lands project to serve those widows and their children. The project, started in 2006, aims to help participants find well-being and build hope for the future. In 2007, 22 children were brought to the U.S. for a visit, and in 2010, some of those single mothers visited. The program provides home stays and programming to help heal deep wounds. Similar programs are also held in Korea and India.
“We started the mission in faith, but many people helped. Our Lord gives dreams to them and revives them with his Spirit,” Hannah said.
The program bears fruit in the lives of participants who are challenged to live out the gospel. Many of them share testimonies afterward.
This year, eight students are spending nearly a month in the U.S. to worship, travel, and experience God in their lives. “We hope and pray that they will experience God’s comfort and love, and find his vision for their lives,” Woo Song said.
There are still a lot of needs, he said, “but a lot of beautiful testimonies and miracles too.”
About the Author
Jonathan Kim is a CRC pastor of Ye-Eun Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles, California. He writes news for The Banner and lives in North Hills, California.