132 Chengtu Road, Tientsin 10, China.
November 3, 1948.Dear Friend,
It is a year since we last met at Hangchow Conference. You remember the theme of the Conference was Faith in Action. Those two weeks at Hangchow gave each and all of us strength for whatever work that God has planned. In October I left Tientsin for Shanghai and then Hangchow, then Tientsin was enjoying prosperity after war. On return in November Tientsin looked like a different city within so short a time. Tientsin was flooded with refugees first from Hopei, then Shantung and now Manchuria. The Hangchow Conference gave me enough courage to take up the task to help Korean Refugee Repatriation. From May 7 to last of August 8735 Korean refugees from Manchuria returned to their home land with the help of American Military Government. Chinese Relief Mission furnished the fund. The fund provided was only for three weeks with a supposed number for a thousand. Again in remembering the conference theme Faith in Action. With Faith we were able to shelter, clothe, feed and to give medical care to all our needy Korean neighbors. At first those Koreans were able to help themselves. But as time and number went on more people need help for their living. Our Father has provided for all and I was happy to see all safely aboard the American ship for their beloved homeland. Because of communists threat they have left Manchuria their homestead to make new home in their own home. Life may not be so rosy for them ahead but at least they would be with relatives. Some Christian Koreans gave us a Comfort Song Concert at our hospital in May. They all sang well as the Korean Singing Bird of the Hangchow Conference. Medically I took care of them as best as within my ability. There was one epidemic of measles among children in May, and another epidemic of dysentery among children in August. I cannot even picture to you the condition of these people after days of travelling for many came on foot walking hundred and hundred of miles to get to Tientsin. They are happily back to their homeland. The picture was pathetic.
China is faced with her own problem of refugees also. There are now twelve thousand refugee students from Manchuria and one hundred twenty thousand refugees from other parts of North China. So you can imagine our refugee problem. Food, clothing, shelter, medical care all add special load to this city. For the last ten years it seems to me that China has suffered affliction after affliction. Our nation has just thrown off one yoke of militaries of Japan and now another ism is threatening to choke us. May God help us to take our afflication [sic] quietly and bravely and to take whatever uncertain days to come as part of God's plans for our nation and our people. Tyranny is no word for this ism. Many Catholics and Protestants have suffered death at hands of these people who believe that their idiology [sic] is the only one for this big world. Democracy and personal freedom are unknown words in their new dictionary. I never understood why Dr. Helen Kim talked so emotionally about Northern Korea until what we are facing ourselves now. There is fear in our hearts. Days are uncertain to many of us. But as a Christian I believe His grace and His love for mankind. We may suffer but we shall be victorious in our freedom.
Num. 9:19 When the cloud tarried, then the children of Israel journeyed not. Thus personally I would make no plans going anywhere but remaining to serve my poor country and my poor people. The new situation may be uninviting, trying and full of dangers. But this is my task to remain and I would wait patiently for the Lord.
Three quarters of the world are in want of daily necessities, living under fear, constant turmoil, and uncertainty. You and I both belong to the fortunate quarter of God's children. We are free from want and are living under God's peace and love. The world does not know God and His love for mankind. May the Christmas bring you Peace and Love and Joy.
Your friend in China,