On April 12, masters from NRG Taekwondo Korea (led by Master No Rae) and approximately 20 young adults from the Hong Kong Elim Presbyterian Church (led by Pastor Kim Seongcheol under Senior Pastor Cho Yoon Tae) visited Evangel Children’s Home (ECH). The visit began with English worship songs and dances that the children could follow along with, creating an opportunity to build rapport with them. The taekwondo dance performance which followed helped open the children’s hearts even more, improving the atmosphere. The final Taekwondo demonstration by Master No and NRG Taekwondo masters brought everyone together in cheers and applause, creating a unified experience.
After all the performances concluded, Pastor Kim delivered a sermon to the children about Jesus’ cross in preparation for the upcoming Easter. Through his message that “God sent His Son Jesus to forgive our sins although we are sinners,” the children received the message of God’s unconditional love.
“Seeing the children here made me realize how precious the things I’ve taken for granted are,” said Sangju Lee, one of the NRG Taekwondo masters who joined the event. “I initially came with a simple mindset of volunteering, but the time spent with these children was valuable, and though I came to serve, I feel I received much more.”
Hyunseong Lee, from the young adults ministry of Elim Church, recalled: “If last year’s mural painting was about covering the children’s wounds with love, this year while creating frames to hold the children’s artwork, I felt that we should always hold these children in our hearts. Although we only meet these children once a year, I wanted to convey that Jesus always walks with them, and I realized we should always keep them in our prayers.”
Halim Kim, from the church university ministry, shared: “I had the opportunity to visit Evangel Children’s Home again this year after last year’s visit. While I remember approaching each other cautiously and awkwardly last year, this year the children approached me first, and I felt warmed by their reduced guardedness.”
“What particularly stands out in my memory was a child who told me about scoring 12 on her math exam. That cheerful and innocent expression made me smile too. Another child who could barely make eye contact last year due to trauma was smiling brightly this year, sharing dreams of becoming a doctor. When the children talked about school or made casual comments about who was good-looking, I realized these children are no different from kids outside—just ordinary, innocent children. Hearing that their favorite food is the Korean fried chicken we’ve shared in last year’s event, I learned gratitude from how they find joy even in the smallest things.”
“However, thinking about what scars and memories might chase these children throughout their lives weighs heavily on my heart. Nor do I know the reason why the child I’ve painted pictures with had to have her face blurred in the official photograph. I also got to know that due to government policy, the children must leave ECH when they turn 18. Though ECH provides a transition period to help them adapt to society, I find myself continuing to pray that they can pursue their dreams in the world ahead, walking with Christ.”
Hyunseo Kim, also from the church university ministry, shared: “The children I visited after a year left me with many new thoughts. Unlike last year when church members conducted activities separately, this volunteer opportunity allowed us to interact directly with the children, giving me a warmer feeling.”
“A child who was initially hesitant to even share their name when we started drawing activities later came to hold my hand, asked to take pictures together, climbed on me to jump, and was upset because they couldn’t eat at the same table with me. This made me think about how much heart and love we can share in such a short time.”
“After returning, I couldn’t begin to measure what wounds these children carry from their past, present, or future, but I found myself praying that they continue to share healthy minds and love through good relationships. I hope I remain a good memory for those children as their ‘big sister.’ I hope to have another opportunity to be with the children again!”
Master No Rae, who sponsors Evangel Children’s Home, served as the bridge between NRG Taekwondo and Hong Kong Elim Presbyterian Church again this year, following last year’s collaboration. Regarding his reasons for supporting ECH for multiple years, Master No explained, “When South Korea was poor in the past, there were missionaries who spared no love and care for that land, which is why South Korea exists as it is today and we can now live in an environment without lack.
Therefore, I believe we shouldn’t just end with what we’ve received, but should pass on the love we’ve received, which is why I sponsor these children. We don’t know what influence our taekwondo demonstration and praise dance shown today might have on these children in the future. Perhaps even one of these children might be touched and become a great person who passes on the love they received today. I hope that such a virtuous cycle of love continues.”
We hope that activities like this, where young adults can share their various gifts, will continue. We look forward to seeing how the precious hearts of these young adults toward the next generation will be conveyed to the children, continuing the virtuous cycle of love that Master No hopes for. Evangel Children’s
About Evangel Children’s Home (ECH):
ECH was established in 1956 by an American missionary in Hong Kong. This NGO is committed to supporting the healthy growth of orphans, children and youth from broken families. Part of the funding is raised under the ECH Sponsorship Program for the holistic development of children.
www.ech.org.hk
< The food shared during this visit was sponsored by ‘Yechan’ (a Korean restaurant located in Hong Kong). Please understand that some children’s faces are blurred due to regulations of protection of children.
On April 13th, approximately twenty college students from Hong Kong Elim Presbyterian Church (led by Pastor Park조윤태) visited the Evangel Children’s Home, a local residential group home to serve the children from broken families in Hong Kong. There, we conducted a Korean language workshop, shared traditional Korean games (딱지치기 ttakji-chigi and 제기차기 jegichagi) and basketball, introduced Korean food culture, and participated in a mural service project.。
At first, there was a sense of unfamiliarity and distance, but as time passed, the children at Evangel Children’s Home approached us with bright smiles and warm welcomes. Despite their smiles, it was impossible not to feel the pain and difficulties these young friends had been through. Most of the children there had been separated from their parents due to domestic violence and discord. Consequently, I was cautious in approaching them, also worrying whether it might be burdensome for the children. However, as we taught them songs of praise and played traditional games, the children began to open up and enjoy themselves, prompting me to reflect on my own hesitations. “Ah, they are also God’s beloved children,” I thought.
Realizing that I could not solve all their problems or be of significant help was both a burden and a source of compassion. Yet, upon realizing that God could accomplish what I could not, I devoted myself to expressing God’s love to these young friends through my limited language and gestures. I wondered the extent of grace that God, who gently heals even my smallest wounds and sorrows, would extend to these children who have endured great hardships from a young age, and what plans He might have in store for them. This experience led me to a moment of prayer: “I will do my best from my position, God. Please watch over these children, meet them, and stay with them.” I hope that the short time spent with these children offered them some comfort for their wounds and replaced their painful memories with joyful ones. To the end, I look forward to the next visit and will continue to pray that God’s love reaches them.
Master노래 Rae No of NRG Taekwondo, a donor of the Evangel Children’s Home, a local residential group home in Hong Kong, also played a bridging role in this volunteer activity. The loving heart that shares this involvement with others is truly beautiful. The college students conveyed love to the disadvantaged children, and a child who received love will in turn share that love with others. I look forward to seeing such activities continue to flourish.
About Evangel Children’s Home (ECH):
ECH was established in 1956 by an American missionary in Hong Kong. This NGO is committed to supporting the healthy growth of orphans, children and youth from broken families. Part of the funding is raised under the ECH Sponsorship Program for the holistic development of children.
On the opening monument of Evangel Children’s Home, it reads: Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me.” It is so true….
At about 5 am on February 2nd, Moon, a night duty staff, reported that there was a baby outside the front-gate. I really had no idea. After clarification, I realized that someone had abandoned a newborn baby at the door! Why are the “plots” of the fifties and sixties still happen today? After a while, there was a lady passing by. Her emotion seemed to be out of control. She slammed the gate, shouting that a baby was crying and why was there no one taking care of? Knowing that she is a Christian, I comforted her that as God let her be an angel passing by; I trust the baby would be saved.
I walked towards the “Recycle Hand Bag Object”, where the crying sound was from, in a trembling mood and discovered there was really a newborn baby, wrapped in a cloth only. She cried out loud, stretched her legs, at around 7 pounds. The lady next to me was not calmed down yet. On one side, I said to her, “You see, the baby has such a strong vitality! She will definitely grow up healthily.” On the other side, I asked a colleague to take an umbrella to cover the bag to protect the baby from the wind, and took a towel to wrap around the bag. The temperature was only about 13 degrees Celsius. Thereafter, an ambulance arrived and it was finally safe.
Later, I was informed that the lady who was suspected of abandoning the baby wandered for a long time along the road at the front gate as early as around 3:30 am, and she finally pressed the door-bell. Not until someone answered the door, she left then. I believed when she brought the baby to Evangel Children’s Home, she trusted that this Home should be a place with love and care. Suddenly, our home was on news that day. I hope God ’s name will be exalted. When people have no way out, God will open the door.
The next day, a colleague told me about what a child living in resident care home, awakened by the slammed gate noise talked about the case. When she knew that someone had abandoned her baby at the front-gate, she said, “That mother really loves her baby. It is because she knows she cannot take care of her; she chooses the best home for her and that is why the baby was put in front of the Evangel Children’s Home.” However, I feel bad with this sharing, and very true, it is more or less a portrait of the child.
My Daily Devotion and Bible Verse on That Day:
“But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God and an eternal king: when he is angry, the earth is shaking with fear, and the nations give way before his wrath.”
Jeremiah 10:10 (Union Version).
What I have also received is that God is graceful and merciful. His grace is sufficient and His mercy endures forever. May the work of our hands be sacrifices to God’s delight. We wish the baby a healthy growth!
