AMEN! "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." (Romans 1:31, quoting from the original in Jeremiah 9:24)

How sweet of Hee-Jung and Joon-Mok to not only invite me to their wedding but to make the point of coming together as a couple to my office to personally hand me the invitation. Please pray for this beautiful couple as they make this life-long commitment to serving Christ together!

My precious student, Hee-Jung, and her "Little Prince", Joon-Mok, who is part of the church staff here at Handong. They are holding up a wedding invitation for their wedding on July 17th at Jang-Sin University in Seoul!

I-house coordinator (and MC of the evening!), Young Kim. Young really has a heart for our international students here at Handong University. The food and fellowship were so great that I forgot to take more photos! :-(

Charles, Sally and SJ! Charles and Sally are loved by students and teachers alike for their passionate devotion to I-house. SJ is one of our graduating students who is also a very active member of HIC (Handong International Church). SJ just preposed to his girlfriend, Gloria!!

Steve Trost provided background music for the evening

S.J.'s creative touch on table decorations for "International House's end of the semester party", Wednesday June 14th. (No wonder Gloria said "yes"! :-))

Dr. Victor Batarseh, Mayor of Bethlehem, during his visit to Handong University, June 12th, 2006.

Bethlehem (House of Bread) - "Where the Word Became Flesh"

Dear Faculty,
We are pleased to announce the visit of the Mayor of Bethlehem, Victor Hanna Jubrail Batarseh, this coming Monday. He will be giving a lecture on: Bethlehem Realities: Its Hopes and Future.
The lecture will take place in the Great Conference Room, 2nd floor-room 214 of the Main Building, 2-3pm, Monday June 12. We strongly encourage you to attend to learn more about the mayor's dreams for the nation of Israel in an age of conflict.
He will be accompanied by Michel H. Nasser, Director of Bethlehem Peace Center, who will also present briefly on his organization's work in conflict resolution. Korean missionary to Israel, Mr Kang, Tae Yoon will also be present at the forum for your questions.
Seating is limited. Please come early for best seating.
Thank you,
OIA
INTERESTING FACTS FROM THE LECTURE:
-Bethelehem has 30,000 citizens. 170,000 including the surrounding countryside.
-65% are Muslim and 35% Christian
-The main industries are tourism and "pilgrimage".
-10-15% of the normal number of tourists have been coming due to current conflicts between Israelis and Palestinians.
-Bethlehem did have a Christian majority at one point in the past but is now a minority.
-There is a special decree stating that 8 of the 15 city council members must be Christian (including the mayor AND deputy mayor) while the remaining 7 must be Muslim.
-Victor Batarseh is the first elected mayor in the past 29 years.
-Only 1.9% of the Palestinian population is Christian (in which, I believe, they include Orthodox, Roman Catholic and other works-related-religions which are questionable to say the least).
-Hamas represents 25% of the Palestinian population.
Please pray for Bethlehem, Palestinians and Israelis. Democracy has seen a terrorist government (Hamas) voted into power. Their ultimate goal is the death of Jews and the end of "the Zionist Entity", not even recognizing Israel's right to exist.
"Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep." (Psalm 121:4)
Please pray for Korean Christians who, in trying to win the hearts of Palestinians, wrongfully compare Palestinians under Israeli "occupation" (politically loaded word!) with Koreans under Japanese control, thereby taking on the hates they have for their "enemies" and thereby becoming anti-Israeli in some ways.
"I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse." (Genesis 12:3)
Please pray specifically for Gang Tai-Yun, the director of the Korean Cultural Center Global Missions Society in Bethelehem, Palestine. He has served in Bethlehem for more than 17 years. It is because of his commitment and connections that Mr. Batarseh and Mr. Nasser were able to share their concerns with us while visiting Korea.
"Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)

I brought this photo along and shared it with the mayor of Bethlehem. This picture was taken when I was in Bethlehem at some point from 97-99. This is looking away from Manger Square.

Michel Nasser, director of The Bethlehem Peace Center, (www.peacenter.org - owned and operated by the Palestinians), mentioned what a challenge it is to be a Christian in Bethelehem, a town with an overwhelming Muslim majority.

A great photo of our university president, Kim Young-Gil, and the Mayor of Bethelem and his wife.

The Mayor of Bethlehem, his lovely wife, one of our law school students from Jordan and Michel Nasser, director of the Bethlehem Peace Center.

Mayor of Bethlehem, Victor Batarseh, and Andy Brown after a very interesting dialogue on the struggles of Palestinians (especially Christians) and their concerns for the future.

The Mayor of Bethlehm, Victor Batarseh, and Handong Global University, Kim Young-Gil.

A very disturbing photo which I feel encourages/glorifies terrorism found on the official website of the city of Bethlehem. Mr. Batarseh has promised to remove it from his site (www.bethlehem-city.org/historyofbethlehem.htm ) and when he does I shall remove it from mine.

I appreciated this drawing on one of the student union building posters. "Gong-Dong-Chae" (if you read Korean) means "community". This is a good reminder that as members of the body of Christ, if one member suffers, we all suffer.

Postcard from a Dear Brother

Andy, Behold God's artwork! A postcard just does not do it justice though. John said, "It looks like heaven" when he first laid eyes on the Grand Canyon. We had a blessed trip. I thought of you since I know how you like to glorify the Lord. I hope this finds you well. In Christ, Deron, SoungHwa, John and Christy.

The Doctrine of Christ - Virgin Birth

"To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary." (Luke 1:27)
One of the historic fundamentals of the faith is the virgin birth of Christ. It begins with the supernatural conception of Jesus Christ in the womb of Mary without the seed of a man. The miraculous birth is verified by the statement that she was a virgin when she gave birth to Christ (Matt. 1:23-25). By means of the Virgin Birth, Jesus had the human nature of His mother and the sinless, divine nature of His Father.
Illustration: Those who deny the Virgin Birth tend also to deny His deity, so must necessarily question the integrity of the Scriptures.
Application: The miracle of the Virgin Birth involved the yieldedness of Mary. This attitude is reflected in her last recorded words, which are a good standard for Christians today, "Whatsoever he (Jesus) saith unto you, do it" (John 2:5).