The North Koreans had to During the lockdown see food prices increase fourfold. Although prices fell in the spring, typhoons in July and September destroyed crops, and prices rose again. Estimated 30,000–50,000 North Koreans are dead During the pandemic.
However, hope is not extinguished in the underground church. A North Korean church leader writes:
"Yet we think of David's words in Psalm 139:14: "I thank you because I am wonderfully made; wonderful are your works, I know it full well!" and from Psalm 139:17-18: 'How precious are your thoughts to me, how great is the sum of them, God! If I count them, they are more than the sand; if I finish, I am still with you.'
We recall the times in the past and present when we have lived through hardships and emergencies, and we cannot help but be deeply touched by the goodness, grace and love of our heavenly Father, who is more numerous than the sand on the beach and who has come to our aid in our helplessness."
He continues:
"How good it is to know that God knows our troubles when we walk in the shadow of death."
These are not superficial words, but words from the heart, from a representative of the underground church who experience harsh oppression. Secret Christians, that will be discovered, are sentenced to prison where torture is cruel. This is well documented through drawings based on testimonies from North Korean refugees.
Yet persecuted North Korean Christians experience the greatness of God, love and presence in the midst of it all. The God they - and we - believe in is far greater than Kim Jung-un's brutal dictatorship.
The have the energy to pray for us. The church leader writes:
"We would like to pray for you and our brothers and sisters in Denmark and around the world. We pray that God in his fatherly love will protect you from coronavirus and provide for your health and safety."
The dictatorship in North Korea cannot separate Christians in Denmark and North Korea. We can pray for each other and still be united in faith in Jesus.
Brave smugglers can bring medicine and food to the underground church through unofficial channels. The diseases that processed,is For example tuberculosis, hepatitis B, diarrhea, fever, infectious diseases, circulatory problems, high blood pressure and arthritis, as well as smuggled supplements. Food is also smuggled inthat makes a big difference in a situation where the food supply is limited.
Thank you for praying for the church in North Korea during this time. The medicine and food project can also be supported financially.
