Voluntary activities in Bonghwa, Gyeongbuk

On August 15, about 250 volunteers of Church of God started restoration work in Bonghwa, Gueongbuk. They reconstructed the lost road and the collapsed embankment whose length was 30m, and cleared off all the junk on the upper basin of the Nakdong River which reached 1.2km. Especially when they rebuilt the embankment, they spared no pains in cold water. The chief magistrate of Bonghwa, who worked together with the volunteers, valued their sincerity and praised them, saying, "I was deeply moved by the volunteers of Church of God. They threw themselves into restoration work though it was a holiday."

ⓒ 2002 WATV

Voluntary activities in Hallim

The most severely damaged areas were Hallim in Gimhae city and Haman.
On August 19, about 100 members of Church of God in Gimhae visited Hallim. Until that day, the area was not drained; so the restoration work was not carried positively. On that day the volunteers realized that prompt and constrant help was needed in that area. 2 days later about 120 members volunteered again to help the victims in Hallim. And on August 22, over 1,000 volunteers who heard about the serious state of Hallim rushed to there as soon as they finished the restoration work on the basin of the Nakdong River area.

As the waters drained off, all the villages revealed themselves covered with filth and offensive smell assailed people's nostrils. While the volunteers from other organization kept aloof from the area, the volunteers of Church of God willingly cleaned up the streets and houses. All the flood victims and officials concerned and even other volunteers were struck by their wholehearted work.

A Gimhae City Hall official sent a letter of thanks officially to the Whole Assembly. In the letter he said, "The state of Hallim was very serious and even we officials were reluctant to work in that area. But volunteers of Church of God led the restoration work very willingly. I'll never forget their sincerity in my official life." Reporters from each broadcasting station and press showed competition in collect materials from the volunteers.

ⓒ 2002 WATV

Voluntary activities on the basin of the Nakdong River

On August 21, about 1,000 volunteers of Church of God visited Dadaepo port on the lower basin of the Nakdong River where a huge amount of junk drifted down.

On this day, the volunteers removed 20t's junk along the river- cans, styrofoam, uprooted trees, refrigerators, sofas and so on. The volunteers separated all the junk and delivered it to the officials concerned.

Pastor Pyo Gi-sang who led the volunteers in Busan area called for national cooperation, saying, "I was surprised at the amount of the junk. 1,000 gunny bags which we brought were not enough. More systematic helps are needed."

ⓒ 2002 WATV

Voluntary activities in Haman

On August 21 and 22, about 280 volunteers of Church of God in Mansan area removed the junk in Haman, the Extreme Flood Damage Zone. In Hanman, 320 ha of 6 villages was washed away including 120 houses and farm land. The volunteers collected 360t's junk separately and carried it on a landfill.

An official in charge of provincial administration expressed his gratitude, saying, "It's the first time I've met volunteers like those of Church of God. The volunteers of Church of God spared even their breathing time and devoted themselves to the work." And an official in charge of social welfare of Gimhae city expressed his thanks, saying, "It took the volunteers of Church of God 2 days to finish the work; it might take other volunteers one week to do it. They worked without break. I can't thank them enough."

Pastor Hong Young-bok, who conducted the voluntary service activity in Haman, showed his firm will, saying, "The more our neighbors suffer from the national disaster, the more we, Christians, have to practice love. We are always ready to deliver God's love to the neighbors in need."

Such earnest service activities of Church of God were known to the other flooded areas and the Whole Assembly became busy to receive requests and inquiries from them. At this urgent requests of the other areas, church members headed for Jinhae and Jinju on August 25. What the flood sufferers needed was not just some relief goods or help for show. They needed our constant concern and love. When we share suffering with them, they will have a hope again.

ⓒ 2002 WATV