In March, we welcomed a new resident at Elim House. Kailey suffered from domestic abuse, which left her in a fragile emotional state. She cried throughout her first Sunday service with us. Our staff held her hands and consoled her. To our great surprise, we learned that Kailey became a believer in North Korea. This was Crossing Borders’ first time encountering a refugee who came to faith in North Korea.
Crossing Borders has helped about 1,000 refugees since we began keeping records in 2008. We cannot remember a single refugee who recalled even hearing the name of Jesus in North Korea. The North Korean government has worked hard to eradicate Christianity within its borders since the communists took over in 1945. Before then, North Korea’s capital Pyongyang was a vibrant Christian community. It is said that the streets were empty in Pyongyang on Sundays because everyone was at church.
Kailey came to faith through her father’s trading partner from China who became close friends with him. A few years prior to her conversion, her family had betrayed this trader, and thus the business relationship was cut off. But time passed and the trader said he forgave them. This is how he introduced the gospel to Kailey’s family, through his act of forgiveness.
Helping others in North Korea is frowned upon and raises suspicion. With the little that North Koreans have to live on, it also comes at a great cost. Their family found it challenging to love their neighbor, as Jesus commanded in Matthew 22. North Korea wants to be the only source of support for all citizens, and helping someone of lower Songbun or social status can in turn lower one’s social status. Despite these risks, Kailey’s family loved their neighbors by secretly helping families in need. She told us a story about a family who gave birth to a child and did not have enough money to feed themselves. They left a bag of rice in front of the struggling family’s door. The mother and child both lived and the father even came and repaired Kailey’s house to repay their kindness.
A bigger challenge was to follow the greatest commandment to love the Lord. On Sundays, the family would gather in a safe house, hold their breath, whisper hymns, and listen to sermons via USB drives they obtained from their friend. According to Kailey, their family was part of a "gajung gyohwe" (가정교회) which is some form of a house church. The friend received support from a church in South Korea, who prayed for Kailey’s family and supplied them with Christian sermons and songs.
She sings songs at Elim House that she learned in North Korea. She sings through the tears and hardships of her life. Her boyfriend abused her. It became progressively worse as time went on. This is exactly why Elim House exists: to serve as a refuge for North Korean women in need. Through your support, we have been able to faithfully serve these women who are under significant distress.
We’ve had the privilege of seeing God heal Hayley’s battered body and comfort her broken heart during her time with us. She has built friendships with the other residents and trust for our staff who have faithfully prayed with and for her. Hayley is preparing to leave Elim House in April and we will continue to sing and cry with Kailey until she departs.
