This year was my third year going to Jema, but something about it was different. I mean, to the eye it was exactly the same; the children were just as I remembered them, the village was exactly the same, and perhaps the only visual difference was the length of Ema’s hair!

It’s always nice to go back to a familiar place, especially to a place where so many of the faces are familiar. But perhaps the most endearing moments are when children shout your name back! I love Jema!

I remember pulling into the village and feeling my heart drop. 10 years. 10 years the Ahn family has been coming to this place. 10 years and not a single cross stands proud. What’s taking so long, I wonder? These exact words were my initial thoughts when I came to this place. But of course, like all other thoughts, it quickly changed. I see God there. That should be enough for me. One day, all these children will grow up and replace their parents as village people, village leaders, etc. One day, Christ will be the known Chief of the village.

I had the opportunity to evangelize only once at Jema this year, but it was an amazing time. I talked with a group of 3 brothers. As we sat down to begin, they asked if their father can join and hear this “good news”. Of course, we obliged. They continued to explain that their father has been mentally ill for over forty years. He was senile but relatively physically functional. There was no doubt who the father was when they brought him over. He was unkempt and walked aimlessly.

Regardless of the obvious distractions, I was ready to speak. While we were waiting for the father to arrive, I quickly went into a time of prayer seeking God’s words. What am I supposed to say to a man who has been sick for 40 years? And knowing how desperate his sons were to receive any kind of help, what did God want me to say to them as well? Thankfully I was able to connect with God at that moment. I quickly went through the gospel story then transitioned into the many stories of Jesus’ miracles recorded in the Bible. I boldly told the group of men that all the miracles Jesus performed in the bible had no lasting meaning (except for the miracle of his resurrection). Of course, what I really meant by that was that it had no lasting meaning from the perspective of the world. Lazarus was risen from the dead, but he died soon after. Jesus fed 5000, but they became hungry again the next day; do you get my drift? I told him that greater than the miracles Jesus performed on the sick was the miracle of resurrection; the eternal, everlasting healing of ones soul. I continued by saying that though my life circumstances did not change after I received Christ, my heart did. I had a renewed purpose in life and the wonderful peace that surpassed my own understanding settled on my heart. That was the greatest miracle. We then bowed down to pray for the father and the crowd began to grow. The prayer ended and all who were present stood still. The father broke the silence by calmly saying “I feel peace in my heart”. Esaie responded, “then you are healed”.