Mr and Mrs Hong were home in Melbourne over Christmas and the New Year on furlough. In February they returned to North China where they are based in Hunchun (close to the border with North Korea).

The latest news on North Korea is that the Computer School (funded largely from donations from the Korean Christian community here in Australia) will be opened in May this year. This facility will provide training for young people who would otherwise find it impossible to obtain a job.

Most North Korean young people go into the army once they leave school. However some young people (particularly orphans) do not meet physical criteria for an army career and they are often left with no support. The computer school will offer these young people a future. 

Mr Hong’s next focus will be on a TB clinic in Rason City. There are around 30,000 cases of tuberculosis in the region while there are very few facilities available to treat people.

Mr Hong is developing a proposal to build a new clinic with an x-ray machine for diagnosis and a facility to provide medication. We are looking for possible partners to fund this initiative. There are significant financial costs involved however the facility will save many lives.  

The child care centre in Rason City is going well. Mr and Mrs Hong believe the ongoing health of the children and the availability of facilities to provide adequate medical care have become pressing issues. Most of the children have some from of TB while nutrition is a major concern.

Uniting International Mission has made a decision to extend the Hong’s placement by a further three years. This involves an ongoing financial commitment of around $A.60,000 per year. Uniting International Mission believes God is calling us to be involved in this strategic ministry and we are confident that the necessary resources will be provided to enable the Hong’s ministry to grow and develop.

Much of Mr Hong’s work involves ongoing negotiations with the North Korean authorities.

There is a great need for prayer:

(a) The health and welfare of the children in the Rason City child care centre – many children come to the child care centre suffering from a lack of nutrition. Many are sick with TB and other illnesses.

(b) The opening of the Rason City computer school in May 2008 – this will provide many young adults with employment opportunities.

(c) The proposal to build a TB clinic in Rason City – this will be a big undertaking in terms of cost.  However many lives will be saved.

(d) Mr and Mrs Hong’s welfare and health. North Korea experiences long harsh winters while daily demands are quite heavy in North China and in North Korea.  

(e) Mr Hong’s careful negotiations with the North Korean officials. Mr Hong has built trust and has been able to develop important initiatives.

The North Korean authorities provide staff for the orphanage and the computer school. They will also provide staff in the TB clinic once the facility is built. Meanwhile volunteer workers could be helpful and various opportunities exist. An important priority is to find someone who is prepared to take over the key ministry of Mr and Mrs Hong in future. 

Rev John Barr
13th March 2008