Red Crosses

After a three day journey to Seoul Korea from Kenya, which was originally planned to take only18 hours, I was back on the road again. This time I was weaving through the mountains of South Korea. My LEI associate and Director of Asia, Dr. Kim, and I were headed East to Chuncheon city, the location of the LEI Asia office and the office of Global Literacy Mission. Even though I was very tired from the long weekend of travel, my heart was lifted as we drove through the night. Spotted across the dark landscape were bright red crosses seemly everywhere. Dr. Kim indicated that they signified churches. What an incredible testament to the Christian community in Korea, shining brightly in the night.

My father (a former missionary to Korea) made a cross with red lights when I was a boy. It was tradition to hang it prominently over the garage at the top of our driveway during the Christmas season. The tradition continues to this day. And after all these years, now I understand the meaning of the red cross. It was as if to say, we stand with the Korean church. We are your brothers and sisters in Christ. We stand with you in proclaiming the message of the cross.

I was only 5 years old the last time I was in Korea (45 years ago). But upon my recent visit seemed strangely familiar.