Kim Gwunsanim 김영진 권사님

We had met Kim "Gwunsanim" (Korean term for female deacon/elder at a church) 김영진 권사님 at our first Korean SGG in San Jose at the Hongs. She was very concerned about us going to Japan to serve as missionaries because she felt that we were inexperienced and unprepared. After hearing our story, and the journey God was taking us on to Japan, she became one of our strongest supporters and encouraged us tremendously. She also shared with us how through divine appointments and God's grace, she has been going to Japan regularly on short-term mission trips for the past 20 years.


(From left: my dad, mom, Kim Gwunsanim's friend, Kim Gwunsanim, the Ohs)

We didn't expect to see her again in the near future, but then again, we didn't expect to come to Seoul either. When we arrived in Seoul, we contacted Gwunsanim to say "hello, we're in Korea, let's meet!". =) She invited us to her place in Suwon, treated us to an amazing Korean BBQ lunch, and introduced us to many members of her church including several pastors. Later that week, we actually spent the night at her home so that she could take us to meet Dr. Rev. Billy Kim 김장환 목사님 around 6am, before an 8am Thanksgiving service where she was singing in one the choirs. Everyone arrived about 30 minutes early and the actual service started 10 minutes early!

She is 79 years old, and has more energy and spunk than most people half her age. We were so blessed by her desire to connect us with the right people, her hospitality, her love for Japan, and her desire to humbly take part in God's work as He leads. She completely pours out her love on Juhee too and Juhee joyfully follows her around calling out "hal-mu-ni! (grandma)". =)