Hello, this is Kim Young Gil from the Online cell. On 15 January 2023, I will be moving to a country called Timor-Leste for six months for a research visit required for my PhD thesis. As I felt God’s guidance during the preparation stage, and as I know how God’s Vision Church loves to pray for its members, I am writing to share my story.

While Timor-Leste may be new to many people, it in fact has quite a special relationship with Korea. During 1975-1999, ¼ of the population of Timor-Leste were either killed by the Indonesian invasion forces, went missing or were forced to move. In particular, in 1999, around 200K to 300K people suffered due to the Santa Cruz Massacre (as at 2023, the population of Timor-Leste is reported to be 1.3m).

The suffering of the people of Timor-Leste was reported to the international community, which led to the United Nations authorising a Peace Keeping Operation (PKO) led by Australia. At that time, Korea also sent its Sangnoksu Unit to Timor-Leste to participate in the PKO, which marked Korea’s first participation in PKO activities. However, in 2003, five Korean soldiers tragically died on duty. While working in the region during 2016-2017, I visited the memorial for those five soldiers located at Oecusse municipality, and my heart burned for them.

I am now returning to Timor-Leste as an academic-to-be. Towards the end of last year, I felt that I should pray as I prepare for my research visit. I resolved to pray while carrying out my research in Timor-Leste. I also started to think more specifically about the way in which I should carry out my research, and what would glorify God. What would carrying out research for the Lord look like (Colossians 3:23)? This was a huge question for me.

At that time, we were studying and sharing about the life of Ruth at our cell group. During those studies, I found a clue. When picking up leftover grain from Boaz’ field, Ruth did so ‘diligently’ – which is how she was noticed by Boaz’ foreman, and eventually Boaz. In the end, Ruth married Boaz and restored her family, but also became King David’s great-grandmother, and took part in paving the way for Jesus Christ’s arrival on this earth. This ‘diligence’ is referred to as ‘Hesed’ in Hebrew. Ah! I realised that Hesed was the answer to the way in which I should conduct my research, teach and carry out other activities in Timor-Leste. If I continue to practice Hesed, I will be able to meet people like Boaz at Timor-Leste. And eventually, I will be able to glorify God through my research. I believe this was an opportunity granted to me by God to practice Hesed. I will do my best during my time out there so that, following my return, I will be able to share the glory of God that I have experienced during that period.

So, these are the two prayer requests I have for the beloved congregation at God’s Vision Church, as I start my stay in Timor-Leste from 15 January 2023 for six months. 1) May God help me to practice Hesed as I conduct research out there. 2) May God allow me to be a helpful Christian to the Korean missionaries in Timor-Leste. Thank you.