Grateful to be Home

I can't get out of my head the peeps they give out at Easter...

A bright surface, reminiscent of the 50's, all sugar and fluff, but no substance, and they'll quickly make you sick.

Peeps remind me of Pyong Yang (the capital of NK).

I had never been anywhere where I could not pray before dinner, couldn't talk openly to others about the government, or religion, or  couldn't travel without a government "minder". When we arrived in Pyong Yang we were greeted with dual images of the "great leader" and the "dear leader" front and center in the main rooms, and often on the outside of every public building. These images were accompanied by the never-ending syrupy-sweet melodies no doubt in honor of the countries dictators. The melodies even blared outside in many city squares.  

We took the subway to one of our many tour destinations. Dingy lighting flickered off of picturesque murals, and glowed from flowery chandelier's hanging from the ceiling. As we took what seemed to be an eternally long escalator ride down into the depths of the station, we passed hundreds of faces. All seemed to be sapped of joy, as they found their way home from a long day after work. All being drummed with that syrupy music that echoed through the long corridor. It truly felt like something from the twilight zone. A thin glaze of sugar and color couldn't conceal the lack of joy, and hope that was hidden underneath.

We saw and did so much in what felt like this "other" world. We visited tremendous and sad monuments, a junior high school with bright and precious children, and met some very cool people. I'll write more later in detail about specific events like the Mass games (amazing), conversations that we had with our guides, and getting to meet an amazing pastor in China. 

Overall, I have a new gratitude for the freedom I enjoy, and a new responsibility that came with the knowledge that this trip has engraved on my heart.

We cannot thank you enough for your prayers and support. We'll never know how much those prayers meant. 

If you're interested, there's likely a tour near you with a group called LINK, (Liberty In North Korea) that's trying to raise awareness. You can check it out at www.linkglobal.org/libertylive.htm

Thanks so much for reading. We love you all and are so grateful for your prayers!

Jenny