Testimony

Slave of love

December 21st 2008. Clear

Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.

We read the bible passage. Jung-min minister opened the mouth, and started preaching the words. Since today is special day, the words were engraved in my heart more specially. We decided to give service before we go to volunteer work. Today is the first service. And the last medical volunteer work of the year. This time was the time to think about the fruits of the year and meditating the meaning of the volunteer work through the words.

We, Christian have freedom that is given through Jesus. We can enjoy our freedom but with that freedom we rather become slaves. This is possible when we have heart of love. Listening to the words, I remembered what Jesus said in John. "I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again." When I came to know that sacrificing for someone is not miserable, but authority, I was so surprised.

SLS members are in the intense life. One member couldn't come because he had to take care of his sick grandmother, and one didn't come because she was up all night at the hospital.

Living the exhausted weekdays, we could have just enjoyed our resort. But we know that there are lonely people in need. We are following the way of Jesus who served us willingly.

We started the work with prayer and went to each part. I see each one of members are valuable. If anyone was missing the work would have been difficult. Today, Ju-yeol Yang of dentistry part didn't come, so I have to do the dentistry part alone. I had burden somewhat, however, I just said "cheer up!" to myself.

The first patient's gum was swelled out. He didn't have many teeth. And even those teeth were not healthy. I put Chlorhexidine in the injector, and cleaned his teeth. He asked to get Chlorhexidine today. I was thinking that it was not enough, however I thought "If I empty this, God will pour other" so I gave that to him. God poured what I needed today.

One old lady had tears in her eyes. I thought what happened?

She said, "I feel like dentures are eating into my gum. I can't chew."

When the other old lady said it is better to take every tooth away and do the dentures again, her eyes were filled with tears again.

She said she didn't have enough money to do the dentures, and she just ate food, not chewing them.

I couldn't help her because I didn't have dentures. I told her to bring the dentures next month.
I was so worried that she couldn't chew well. She asked me the time we come back.

'Mrs., please have patience for one month, I will do my best then.'

Because we didn't' have enough, we couldn't help some people. But we could help some others with their dentures.

There were old couple who did dentures a couple of month ago, and couldn't chew because of pain.

"Here, it hurts."

After the treatment they smiled. It was rewarding for me to help them to eat well.

Yesterday, SLS members had prayer meeting. When we talked about the volunteer work, I said I hope that we can have conversation more with people. I saw Jung-min who was participated in the work for the first time approached to old seniors and had conversation. I was thankful that God answered to my prayer. I hoped to fill this work with love more.

"When people grow old, they become like children, the old ladies and guys want to receive love and give love."

Having conversation with unfamiliar people is not easy. We could be afraid of that. This could be a self-emptying thing. I know that member have so much love, but we need to reveal that more.

After the work, I had pain on my shoulder. I saw several people were massaging doctor So-young Jung's shoulder. I have massage on her shoulder too. I was able to feel muscles on the shoulders.

"Even my father who is doing weight lifting says that his finger hurts when he massage my shoulder."

She said this, smiling. But I was able to feel her sacrificing life. She helped the people with their muscles, but her shoulder is in pain now. Because there is this sacrifice, many people were able to be healed.

In Mark chapter 5 verse 30, there's this words.
'At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?"'

One sick woman was healed. We tend to think that because Jesus is son of God he was powerful enough to make miracle and give love. But without sacrifice, there is no life. I meditate on the fact that the power was from Jesus. Jesus emptied himself when he healed people. This is sacrifice. There are many missionary whom I met. They had sickness. They worked , not taking care of themselves. How was Jesus? Did he have any time to take care of himself?

Concluding this year's last volunteer work, I look back upon myself. Why did I start the work? How was my heart? What kind of heart SLS member should have?

I make myself a slave to everyone

Thinking that today's words are given by God, I focus on the word 'willingly'
It is the heart of love.