The southern and eastern part of Korea now greatly suffer from typhoon "Maimi," and the members of the Church of God volunteer to help the victims.

ⓒ 2003 WATV

On September 17, 200 members in Daejeon area went out to the rice field in Yeongdong-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do Province. 15,000 pyong of the rice field were greatly damaged. The members shed sweat all day long, erecting the fallen rice plants in Yangsan-myeon, Yeondong-gun.

Pastor Lee Wu-seop, the Manager of Elohim Training Institute located in Yangsan-myeon, Yeongdong-gun, said, "We were going to help the typhoon-damaged area. At that time, Yangsan-myeon office asked us to help the inhabitants, that we decided to help them. We hope our little help gives the victims comfort and strength." The inhabitants in Yangsan-myeon cultivate fruit tree such as grapes and pears as well as rice. This year, many rains have hindered their growth and brought blight and harmful insects. To make things worse, typhoon "Maimi" struck them; the rice plants and almost all the fruits fell down.

ⓒ 2003 WATV

There is no way for the fallen fruit. But as for the fallen rice plants, if they are erected rightly, the damage can be reduced. All the members diligently erected them, binding two or three plants together.

It was a sunny autumn weather, good for rice's ripening. Because it was a weekday, the volunteers were almost women. Putting on towels and caps on their heads, women members went into the rice field with bare feet. They really looked like farmers. Though running with sweat, they didn't loose bright smile.

"Through this kind of labour, we come to understand farmer and also heavenly Father's heart."

Seeing them working pleasantly, the inhabitants gave words of praise and gratitude: "It's probably your first time to do this kind of work. But you do well," "I was short of hands. Thank you very much."

ⓒ 2003 WATV

It was lunch time. The volunteers prepared their own lunch and invited the elders of the town to their lunch. But the elders refused courteously and thanked the volunteers for preparing even lunch. Having lunch, the volunteers said, "Now this rice doesn't look the same as that of yesterday." And they also shared their spiritual enlightenment. After lunch, they worked again more skillfully. Soon, the rice plants in several thousand pyong were erected. All the volunteers' clothes were covered with mud. Massaging their painful back and stiffened hands and feet, they said, "I bound the rice plants, wishing them to bear good fruit. I've come to understand more the heart of Farmer, our God," "I knew the importance of good fruit," "I'm very happy to display God's glory by helping neighbors in difficulties."

The elders of the town gave them some bread and drinking water. One of farmers said, "I can't express my gratitude for such many people helped me."

ⓒ 2003 WATV

The chief magistrate of Yangsan-myeon thanked the volunteers, saying, "70% of the fallen rice plants can be saved if they are erected within 3-4 days."

He also praised the volunteer spirit of the members of the Church of God, who help neighbors whenever they face difficulty, saying, "It is these people who removed all the junks floated along the Geum River at the last typhoon Rusa."

Sending off the volunteers, the chief magistrate said, "Come again next year." Then, an elder was surprised and said, "Oh, no, this kind of disaster shall not occur next yeart." All laughed. An old woman blessed them, "You've done really good thing. How grateful! You all be blessed!"