Gangwon Province, the highland 600-700m above sea level, has clean air, water and people. After one hour drive on a bumpy road, there is an elementary school. The number of pupils has decreased thanks to the urbanization, but the teachers' passion for education for the whole man is as high as schools in cities.

On July 6th, churches in Taebaeg and Donghae area dedicated about 1,000 books and audiovisual materials to the school and pupils received the gifts with pleasure.

ⓒ 2003 WATV

Now, 159 pupils attend the Samsung Elementary School. It's a small school having only one class for each grade. However, both pupils and teachers have high expectation in reading. Cho Min-hwan, President of Samsung Elementary School, said, "We encourage all pupils to read 300 books before their graduation," and he added, "Books are great gifts for pupils to enhance their thinking ability and creativity and also help them have righteous values." He expressed his gratitude to the Church of God for sending the gifts.

Kim Myeong-ja who is a teacher and also pupils' reading consultant of the school said, "I have forced pupils to go to local libraries for reading and had trouble in teaching them systematically," and she said, "Recently, the alumni association and the Church of God have contributed many books to school. In respond for these helps, I will do my best teaching pupils to become upright persons."

Two days later on July 18, pupils in Ozeo Elementary School, located in Samcheok city, received a book gift. The school is situated in more remote area than the Samsung Elementary School, having total 16 pupils and two grades share one classroom.

On that day, all the pupils gathered in one place to celebrate the book delivery. Though the president, vice president, teachers, 10 members of the Church of God and 16 pupils gathered, the place was rather large.

ⓒ 2003 WATV

President Lee Jong-haeng thanked the members of the Church of God who came to school to deliver books despite the rains and unpaved roads. He expressed his gratitude by saying, "Information gained from a book lasts in one's mind throughout life. This four sets of audiovisual materials and 547 books will bring up our educational environment level."

Park Chung-geun, Pastor of the Church of God in Donghae, told his experience in reading books especially the Bible. He said the Bible was his teacher through which he has become a pastor devoting himself in soul-saving and social services.

It was pupils who were most happy. They received the gift with rapturous ovation. Right after the event, they ran to the books and picked up a book which seemed fun to read. The pupils and teachers even came to the front gate in order to send off the members. One of the members said, "We are encouraged to see pupils being happy with the books," and she thanked God for giving an opportunity to deliver love to her neighbor.

The Church of God promotes Book Sending Campaign targeting the pupils living in mountain regions, and the book delivery events held at the schools in Gangwon Province is a part of the program. A total 1,500 books were delivered on 16th and 18th including new books worthing 4,00,000 won ($3,300) and members' contribution books. Especially, teachers expressed sincere gratitude for the members' whole heart.

ⓒ 2003 WATV

This event was even more meaningful spiritually to the members who received book gifts from God such as the Bible and the seven books of Father. Pastor Ra Seung-do, Pastor of the Church of God in Taebaek, addressed, "Members of the Church of God will participate in voluntary activities for their local residents, following God's teaching to be the salt and the light of the world." He confirmed his will to constantly deliver God's love to isolated neighbors.