Christian languishing in NK prison says health worsening
Kenneth Bae of Lynnwood, Washington, lives in China with his wife and conducts tours of North Korea. The committed Christian is in his third month of a 15-year prison term in a North Korean prison camp. Bae is in prison on the charge of "committing hostile actions" against the communist country." In reality, he is being punished for speaking to people in North Korea about Jesus.
In an interview with Seattle's King 5 television, Terri Chung, Bae’s sister, revealed that the diabetic Bae is going blind. He turned 45 years old this week.
“He's asking us directly and saying, You know, my health is failing. I need help,” she stated. “I would say there is a new note of desperation.”...
Usually sarcasm, if I remember to do it is represented it by :-7 I would probably say, with a person with his health conditions he should have picked an area, where he could get the necessary medications for diabetes, North Koreans may have them, but I really doubt if they will be forthcoming in giving him the drugs.
The U.S. government hasn't been completely inactive in the matter. [URL=http://www.jpost.com/LandedPages/PrintArticle.aspx?id=324801]]]US: N.Korea cancels trip by US envoy seeking Bae's release[/URL].
By the way, Bad Billy Clinton did go to N. Korea to seek the release of two American women I believe. So, that wasn't sarcastic about Billy's actions, :-7 I'm just sarcastic about Bad Billy Clinton. Apparently Obama got some confrontational behavior tamped down, by having Commie China pull on their dog's (N. Korea) leash.
So, no, I have sympathy for Mr. Bae and his condition(s).
Kenneth Chung wrote: The only way I can be free to return home is by obtaining amnesty," Bae wrote. "In order for that to happen it will take more active efforts from the US government side.
excerpt from, [URL=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/11/north-korea-american-kenneth-bae-missionary-health]]]American missionary jailed in North Korea moved to hospital[/URL]
Perhaps like Pres. Clinton, President Obama will go to North Korea to help get this man released?
Christopher, I wasn't disagreeing with you! I've seen friends anguish for others in distress before and remind them that God is still there! because I can see in their eyes that they are filled with a turmoil, that what they suffer is beyond what God can handle, that things must be fixed and set right, and the suffer alleviated. And we can't always do that, and scripture says that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Often when people are suffering, others will anguish and come around them for a time, and then they give up, (reminds me of Job as I'm typing) not able to take the frustration anymore. the calling in the bible is to associate ourselves with the persecuted in prison...to take up the suffering of the brethren means to suffer with them... in the Lord. that is, we also have to let God work it out. But I was not disagreeing with you, or meaning it that way! Have a great day.
@we do care...you missed the boat; the bigger picture, that is, and it wasn't just about this particular thread. Repent? Give me a break. The posts are questioning a pattern of responses that I always get when expressing concern for the abused, imprisoned, beaten, downtrodden, etc. Please stay out of it because you are way off target and missing what I was asking the regulars about.
Christopher000 wrote: Basically, how dare I interfere with God by expressing concern, sadness, and hoping for this mans expeditious release? Wasn't his witness outside those prison walls? Some people seem so callous to me on these topics because we can't possibly relate to what these people are up against and it's so easy to comment while on the outside looking in. Why is it that every time I express sadness and concern for the person in prison
What are you complaining about? Nobody on this thread has said anything other than hope for God's intervention which is the way a Christian is saved from suffering in this world.
Are you trying to exclude God whilst suggesting your prayers and concerns are effective? Just because you disagree with the sovereignty of God why do you imply other people are unconcerned or uncaring for this Christian? Your angry dismissal of our concern and how we perceive this situation IN Christ, is uncalled for. Please repent. God be with you.
Acts 16:22-26 KJV 22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. 23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. 25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. and following....
When Peter was imprisoned, his people got together to pray for him, and he too was released by miracle.
Surely it must be right to have a heart for those incarcerated or persecuted, and certainly pray for them. Who knows what God might do on their behalf.
However, with global news being what it is, you might find yourself praying 24/7 and doing little else.
I probably could have worded things different, but I really am looking for a constructive answer. Just because I express a lot of opinions doesn't mean that I won't drop them immediately if the Bible ever says anything different. I don't claim to know much of anything for sure, but I can't be expected to conform to cloudy arguments either if my particular view can be argued for as well.
JPW, I know that and I knew my words would be picked apart. As I was typing, I remember thinking that someone would probably call me on my use of the word "lonely". When I comment on these topics, I am speaking from a basic human level and expressing those emotions. It's a rare occassion that I ever hear anyone do the same, as if it's taboo or something; like it's going against God's will because everything bad that happens was suppose to happen and I get accused of interferring with God's will (basically). Using this man as an example, can we for sure say that God took him away from those he was witnessing to, threw him into prison, making sure he gets sicker and sicker, and threw the book at him, making sure he got a long, hard, 15yr sentence? Or, could we say that Satan has his own agenda that he enforces on evil man, and he is the reason for this mans current troubles? Couldn't we say that this was Satan's doing but pray that God will counteract Satan's will and work it all out to His own will/glory? Am I wrong to think like this?
The man is languishing in a far from comfortable prison, with failing health, and having only served 3mos of a long 15yr term so far. So by my showing sadness and concern for this man, at a basic human level, and wanting his freedom, this means that I want to stop his witness? Basically, how dare I interfere with God by expressing concern, sadness, and hoping for this mans expeditious release? Wasn't his witness outside those prison walls? Some people seem so callous to me on these topics because we can't possibly relate to what these people are up against and it's so easy to comment while on the outside looking in. Why is it that every time I express sadness and concern for the person in prison, the girl that got raped, the women that got beaten, etc, I am scolded and basically told, "hey buddy, it's God's will"? Is Satan's will or the freewill of evil man ever to blame? I'm obviously not grasping something.
I pray that Christ would comfort him and his family. If it is the Lord's will that this brother be a witness, then so be it, praise God! Human rights activists? It is a blessing to witness for Christ, why would you want this to stop?
Oh boy, I can't imagine how this poor man is feeling right now; at this very second, while I am typing this; while you are reading this. I can't imagine the mental anguish having served only 3 months of a long, lonely, awful, miserable 15yr term simply for professing Christ. I have such a difficult time believing that people actually go to prison for this around the world. We are so fortunate to be free, and to be able to speak freely. Prayer of course, as well, but I hope human rights activists, and other organizations can help him.