Fruit Gained after Toil and Efforts – the Key to the Blessing is Joy and Thanks
"As I rely on God who gives to us according to what we have sown, He opened the path to blessing and led me that way"
Elder Jung Huh (Gwangju Manmin Church, Director of Kwangju Branch of the Shinhan Life Seoul Joong-Ang Insurance Inc.)
I came to Gwangju Manmin Church in 1997 because of a Revival Meeting poster. A phrase on the poster read "the church that prays for 365 days throughout the year" and it caught my attention. Gwangju Manmin Church attends Daniel Daily Prayer Meeting held at Manmin Central Church every night through satellite broadcasting. I prayed every day and found the true meaning of life while listening to the messages during the service.
Ran a Vending Cart with a Grateful Heart
One day in 1998, my salary was seized because of the debts that I had incurred as a guarantor 2 years previously. I was finally forced to leave the company penniless. Though I ran a vendor cart selling Korean pretzels on the street, my heart was comfortable. I attended Daniel prayer meeting every night and repented having disobeyed the word of God recorded in Proverbs 22:26, "Do not be among those who give pledges, among those who become guarantors for debts." And I gave thanks for the love of God that made me realize my disobedience. I was so sorry to God even though I did it before I was led to Manmin Church and was taught the word of God. I couldn't even afford the electricity bill and I had to take a bath with cold water to save oil in mid winter. But I never complained, and let the praises keep coming from my lips. As God the Almighty is my Father, nothing could take such a joy away from me. I had no worries or concern.
I Gave Offerings to God and Served my Neighbors
On February of 2003 the church was constructing a new building. Though I had little I decided to offer as much as I could. I said to my wife, "We have to plant the seed of faith if we are to overcome this poverty." She willingly agreed. I was very thankful to her. One day Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee appeared to me in my dream and said, "You have to reduce expenses and love each other." That was truly right. What good is there in loving each other and practicing thrift! My family became one in faith. We tried to give confidence to one another and be grateful though we were in difficult situation. Even though I didn't have much I helped the needy around me hoping that they could get on their feet again.
Led in the Way of Blessing
After I stopped running the vendor cart I worked as a cleaning custodian in an apartment and kept searching for a decent job. I asked God offering a 21-day vowed prayer. I prayed, saying, "God, I want to glorify You by receiving blessing but before that, let me prepare a clean vessel so that You can pour down blessing unto me." In 2006, someone recommended to me that I should work as an insurance planner, but I had a difficult time because I didn't know anything about the insurance business. So I quitted that job in a month. But whenever I went to see Senior Pastor he kept asking me the same question, saying, "Do you still work there?" After I was asked this question a couple of times I realized that there must be a way for blessing and started to pray. Whenever I heard testimonies of blessing from people who were engaged in the insurance business, I regretted that I gave it up and prayed that God might give me another opportunity. One day I heard that Shinhan Life Seoul Joong-Ang Insurance Inc. planned to set up a branch office. I met the president and asked him to establish the branch office in Gwangju City. He agreed with pleasure. Eventually on March 15, 2007 three people including me opened the Gwangju branch office.
Abundance in Both Spirit and Flesh
The staff was dedicated and considerate of one another. They shared their personal tips about the insurance business. They became one in spirit during the service that is held in turns at the headquarters and at the Gwangju branch office on a monthly basis. Eventually the number of the staff increased to 19 and as a president of the branch I received much blessing. Along with blessing of family evangelization both my wife and I received God-given duties in church this year, I, as the president of Men's Mission, and my wife as president of the Women's Mission. I thank God who gave me joy and thankful heart even in difficulties.
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