Having food on the table and raising children has not always been easy.

할머니와 손주들

when I converted from Presbyterianism and as soon as it occurred, sneering and mocking from relatives who are firm Methodists. The behavior at family gatherings such as marriage and funeral was particularly hurtful to my parents, it is very difficult to completely forget.

Friends I have made in school distanced themselves and at work, I was criticized for not smoking and drinking. Treatments were unfair and with the stigma that I am a heretic , I was completely ostracized, especially by the Presbyterians at work.

 One day I was at a meeting that I could not miss. From the meeting I got home  drenched in beer, as someone poured the drink on my head for not drinking.

Those who made things particularly difficult were actually Presbyterians , and they were the ones who talked behind my back, calling me different names, and put me aside when it came to raises and promotions.

There were four colleagues with the same position. But one day all but I was promoted and had a big raise. Nowhere was I lacking in any aspect in regards to the work and was sure that I would be promoted as well, but that did not happen. It was a highly humiliating and mortifying experience.

Back then, I was serving in the church as a bishop, and not too long after as a stake president. There were much to do, and there was neither the time nor the willingness to further associate with them. Not too long after, I did resign from the work and began my personal business. And roughly 6 months before the occurrence of the economic crisis of 1997 in Korea, I immigrated to Canada. If I wasn’t a member of the church, if I drank a bit and associated with them in all  the worldly manner, I would have received better treatments at work. It wasn’t too much time after the financial crisis which hit the nation also was upon the company, and they all fell with it. Three of them were laid off, and One of them got divorced and to this day, no one knows what happened to him.

Fortunately, having come to Canada, although things weren’t always easy.

Although Coming to Canada was a conscious decision, the sacrifice made was costly. Having food on the table and raising children has not always been easy.

However, here in Vancouver, we have been diligent in attending all the church activities and meetings. Our 4 boys have attended seminary for over 8 years, with 100% attendance. Two of them have served full time missions fully funded on personal and family support, despite economic difficulties. 

We were able to pay the cost because we knew of the success and the blessings in gospel that would follow.