THE DMZ

Even on our Bus ride to the Border, we knew God was about to reveal something powerful to us... The skyline of Seoul soon gave way to barbed-wire fencing and armed military Guard Towers; just like a Concentration Camp from World War II. Beyond the barbed-wire was nothing but the muddy river 'Han' and the desolate countryside beyond. Every hundred yards or so, a soldier stood with an AK-47 assault rifle and a blank stare... This was the Border- the way it has been for nearly 50 years... a short bus ride from the 5th largest city in the world, in a prosperous Christian nation; we were now looking into a land where the mere mention of Christianity can get you jailed or killed along with your family. Everyone on the bus began to pray...

Our prayer turned into singing and our singing turned into a 'Worship Service' right there on the bus! Several of our Korean hosts-friends began to open up and share their Hearts about what this border really means-- some of their stories were absolutely riveting (*see sidebars*).

THE TRAGEDIES OF WAR

Cindy, one of our translators, told us about a news headline from a few days before... an 82 year old man who drove the same road that we were driving just three days before. Having waited 50 years for Unification to see his sons he gave up hope and committed suicide... by jumping off the 'Freedom Bridge'; the site of our Concert that day. (*see sidebar*-'One Man Gives Up Hope for Re-Unification')

David, another friend, told us about the brutal penalty that awaits North Koreans who are caught trying to escape the tyranny of the Communists (*see sidebar*- 'One Last Meal Before They Die')

And then Diana shared about an incident where the North Korean Army discovered an 'Underground Church' ; and proceeded to literally 'bulldoze' the building along with the men, women, and children of the Church; massacring 27 Christians while the entire village watched in horror! (*see sidebar*- 'The Massacre of Christians in North Korea')

It was at that point that our Bus pulled to a stop at the Border. We stepped out to see the sight of our Concert... a slab of concrete a few yards away from a Guard Tower, another soldier with an AK-47, and the endless rows of barbed-wire fencing sprawling off in both directions toward each horizon. Just beyond the Border Guards stood the bombed-out remains of the 'Freedom Bridge' (*see photo*) where the old man had committed suicide just a few days before.

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