Jenelle had been living by herself in Seoul. Her husband was incarcerated on drug related charges and had also committed fraud with Jenelle’s bank account, which left her with nothing. Unable to pay the mortgage, she eventually lost her housing and was referred to Elim House this May by a regional Hana Center.
The day she arrived at Elim House happened to be the same day as our Elim Community Pilates class. Without even pausing to unpack, she joined the other residents and headed out to take the class together. Jenelle said she had always wanted to try pilates to help her back pain but could not afford it.
Though she’s suffered much throughout her life, Jenelle is very warm and jovial. It is unclear how long Jenelle was bound to a wheelchair, but we know she’s had two hip surgeries and a lot of acupuncture. Unable to walk after one surgery, the pastor who preaches at Elim House on Sundays happened to be the person who drove Jenelle around and helped her. The first Sunday after her arrival, when the pastor arrived at Elim House for Sunday service, Jenelle saw him for the first time in several years and broke down in tears.
Jenelle was also able to take part in our annual summer retreat that is hosted for Elim House residents, past and current. Two of our US staff traveled out to Korea for this retreat and spent time getting to know Jenelle and the other women at the retreat. They were touched by how she wore her heart on her sleeve, openly sharing her grief and heartache as she freely shed tears several times throughout the retreat.
Jenelle says that she was one of four children in North Korea. One of her siblings died of starvation during the famine, and Jenelle almost drowned while crossing a river to escape to China. She was saved by a large log that she held onto for dear life. Growing up, when her mother was having a hard time, she didn't know how to call out to God so she called out to some higher being. Jenelle recalls crying out to that same person as she fought for her life in that river. She said she experienced a “large invisible hand” that rescued her that day.
She gave birth to a child in China but was caught by the Chinese police and repatriated to North Korea. Jenelle is no longer in contact with him but her plan is to save up enough money in Korea to be able to buy a house in China for him. She also has a daughter with another man, both of whom are in China. Looking at the children of the Crossing Borders’ staff member recently, she sighed multiple times, expressing sadness that she could not raise her kids the way that our staff member’s kids were being raised. After having Sunday lunch with the Elim House residents, the kids started to show the residents some dance moves in the restaurant parking lot and Jenelle jumped in and moved her body as best she could, laughing and joking around despite her hip issues.
Jenelle’s bubbly personality and lightheartedness has brought a welcome breath of fresh air to Elim House these days. She is able to balance the strong personalities of two other residents who were often getting into fights prior to Jenelle’s arrival. This week, our social worker arrived at the shelter in the morning to find Jenelle and the two other residents communing over breakfast happily.
The process to apply for housing again can take months to years depending on each refugee’s circumstances. Our team in Korea has already helped Jenelle take the first few steps. No matter how long the process takes, we hope her stay with us will be one that brings healing to her body and her soul.
