Making the impossible possible in North Korea

On 9 September, North Koreans will celebrate the 70th anniversary of their nation. It’s already been a momentous year, with the historic meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un leaving even country experts wondering what will happen next. But thanks to your support as part of Open Doors secret global network, even more amazing things are happening in the underground church in North Korea.

On 9 September, North Koreans will celebrate the 70th anniversary of their nation. It’s already been a momentous year, with the historic meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un leaving even country experts wondering what will happen next. But thanks to your support as part of Open Doors secret global network, even more amazing things are happening in the underground church in North Korea.

In Lewis Carroll’s children’s book Through the Looking Glass, the White Queen urges Alice to practise believing the impossible for half an hour a day! “Why,” she says, “sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” It’s not just in the realm of fiction that the barely believable happens. At the beginning of the year, we asked for your prayers and support for persecuted North Korean Christians to help them survive and be strengthened in their faith. Your response was amazing, giving thousands of believers a reason to give thanks to God. Here are six ‘impossible things’ to celebrate – maybe even before breakfast!

60,000 North Korean Christians are receiving food, clothes and medicines to help them survive

The current climate engendered by talks between China, the US, North and South Korea has made it slightly easier to help our North Korean brothers and sisters with much-needed food, medicines, clothes and other materials. “When we received your materials and support, we were filled with Jesus’ love and grace. We underground believers are weak and powerless. However, through your support and prayers, we become stronger.” – North Korean church leader

£58 can provide food, medicine and clothes to support a North Korean family for a month.

North Koreans are receiving Bibles to build faith and give comfort

The reduction in tension means that more North Korean refugees can be received into Open Doors safe houses in China where they receive food, shelter and Bible teaching. Hae-Seok* was cared for in this way and, on returning to North Korea, was given an audio Bible containing worship songs. For a while there was no word from him, but recently our field worker received this message from him: Beloved Brother, how have you been? I have been listening to the music which I received from you. That is so good! During the family gathering, I also shared the gospel stories that you shared with me. Those are very interesting and impressive. I appreciate your love and concern. Thank you again, brother. I miss you so much! I am looking forward to meeting you soon again. Take care!

Do something illegal: send a Bible to North Korea.

Messages of encouragement are being broadcast into North Korea

At the beginning of this year, there was a rare opportunity to send messages of encouragement to North Korean believers. The messages were translated into Korean, recorded by North Korean believers in South Korea, and broadcast by radio to North Koreans at night. Thank you for your messages – we aim to share more about this later in the year.

The Holy Spirit is at work in prisons and safe houses

To all those who have offered heartfelt prayers for North Korea this year – thank you. Amidst the many accounts of suffering, we are privileged to hear stories of transformation and hope. In a surprisingly high number of testimonies, North Koreans tell us they made the decision to believe in Jesus in prison, either in China or North Korea, where they were deeply touched by the witness of a believer. After serving their sentences, those who escape to China may find sanctuary in a safe house, go secretly to church, and become followers of Jesus.

For the first time since 1950, peace and reunification look possible

In the year that DPRK celebrates its 70th anniversary, recent meetings between Kim Jong-Un and both US President Trump and South Korea’s President Moon have led to an apparent thaw in relations and even raised hopes of a denuclearised Korean Peninsula. Could this be the start of a new future? Since Open Doors first began its ministry to North Korea, it has consistently encouraged prayer for the country and the 300,000 secret Christians there – and it’s exciting to glimpse a day when peace may come.

A church in every town in North Korea

Around the world, the number of people praying for North Korea is rising, with groups being established in Uganda, Japan, China, India - and even places in the Muslim world so hostile to the gospel that we dare not mention them by name. In the UK and Ireland, new groups and churches are praying earnestly, using the Prayer News DVD. In the latest edition, John Choi*, a North Korean defector living in the UK, says: “When I see a church in my home town, that is going to be the moment of freedom of North Korea.”

Perhaps, through prayer, the impossible can become possible? Thank you for all the ‘impossible things’ you are doing through your messages, gifts and prayers.

*name changed for security reasons