June 20, 2009 I love this happy magenta color. Why happy? Think about this. A few women fled to China to escape starvation and dictatorship in North Korea last month. They got into China and were promised freedom, hope, food, and a job to support themselves. They ended up in a brothel of sorts forced to pay for their food by giving away their bodies--unwillingly. So, why happy? Through donations from a number of people, mostly compassionate Americans this time, we were able to rescue these escaping women out of those circumstances and help them travel to an undisclosed country. Like the underground railroad in the USA in the 1800s? You betcha. And we have Asian, American, and European Harriet Tubmans leading them through the whole process. HURRAY!!! Now you're happy, too, eh? Email me at northkorea@comcast.net if you want to be a part of this underground railroad.


June 14, 2009 Have you shown any of your friends the You Tube video that I posted on the home page of this website? I was so tickled when I found out that a seven-year-old boy led all the adults at his father’s party to their family computer and showed them all this video on North Korea! All the people in attendance were twenty-somethings who were training with government leaders in Washington, DC. There’s a verse in the Bible that says, “A little child shall lead them.” God bless this one boy who had no political party or agenda, but simply carries a compassionate heart for the destitute in North Korea. Please pass the link to the home page on to friends of like heart. We must continue to raise awareness so that Americans will understand that Kim Jong-il is not mentally stable. He does not keep promises. He starves his people on purpose and food and medical care always goes first to his family and the elite in Pyongyang, the national capital. Like this precious little boy, help us spread the word. Please pray. Prayer changes things. Hope





February 11,2009

February is Valentine's month here in America. It is also a month highly celebrated in North Korea. February 16th, Abraham Lincoln's birthday, is also the birthday of "The Dear Leader," Kim Jong-il, dictator of North Korea. On this day the citizens get a real treat--a few more hours of electricity and, if you're close to the Pyongyang capitol area, you may even get a little rice.

Kim is said to be born on a sacred mountain called Mount Paektu, a mountain where legend says Korea was birthed 5000 years ago. Of course, officials in NK (North Korea) tell quite a story about Kim's birth:

"At the time of his birth there were flashes of lightning and thunder, the iceberg in the pond on Mount Paektu emitted a mysterious sound as it broke, and bright double rainbows rose up."

Folks who've taken the time to research Kim's birthplace, say that he was actually born in the eastern end of Russia on February 16, 1942.

If you want to read more about Kim Jong-il's childhood and background, CNN did a fair report at http://edition.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/asiapcf/east/06/13/bio.kim.jongil/

June 14, 2008

OK, this is where I stop reporting and add personal thoughts about North Korea. Why don't I tell you about people that I admire?

I have friends who are volunteering, going inside to help the people eat or help them find their families who've escaped into China. These men and women are modern day heroes. Some of them have been to prison (and some today are sitting in prison) for trying to help their suffering human family.

If you scroll down on this page to see the pictures and links you'll see some of these friends that I've written about in my articles on North Korea. I don't just write on this website, I write for magazines such as Christianity Today, Charisma and Christian Life, World Christian, Campus Life, Brio, Breakaway, and even kids' mags such as Clubhouse, Clubhouse Jr., and Pray! magazines. (I write books, too, but who's counting?)

I think about these things ... I think about the Jewish Holocaust museum in Washington DC and the large sign there that proclaims, "Never Again!"

But it is happening again. It's happening to North Koreans who suffer in Auschwitz-style prison camps. I think people should know. Will you help me tell them?

Hope

• Christians Seek Covert Ways to Send Aid to North Korea

• Pastor Champions Plight of North Korean Refugees
  http://www.charismamag.com/display.php?id=14303

Washington State Pastor Philip Buck released from Chinese prison. His crime? Helping North Koreans escape the famine. I met Rev. Buck when he testified about his ordeal to congress in September 2006. He is a strong Christian and compassionate human being. He continues to be a voice for the unfortunate in North Korea.

You can email me at northkorea@comcast.net

I'd love to hear from you!

Hope




May 10, 2008, North Korea Freedom Week Report


North Korea Freedom Week was a huge success this year as Washington DC was filled with prayer warriors and Bible readers! The American Bible Society stood outside the capitol and in one week's time read the entire Bible through! One group after another filled Washington DC for the purpose of prayer over one issue or another, all faces tilted toward heaven to give and to receive from God from whom all blessings flow! Of course, Thursday May 1st was the National Day of Prayer and again the atmosphere of DC was bombarded with heavenly themes! It was glorious!

The term "defectors" means people who've escaped North Korea and made it into a free country. Members of the North Korea Freedom Coalition joined together to pay the airfare and lodging expenses for a number of defectors who testified in private meetings with our government. I personally was honored to lead in prayer over North Korea at the NK Prayer Vigil on April 27th. One woman was there who wept because, although she had two daughters with her, she left other family members in North Korea, some who'd died of starvation.

The special week of recognition for the plight of the North Koreans reached the heart and pen of our President, George Bush. You may browse to the blog below to see links and pictures. For now, let me close by sharing with you the words of President George W. Bush concerning North Korea Freedom Week:


For Immediate Release April 30,2008



Laura and I send greetings to all those observing North Korea Freedom Week. I am deeply concerned about the grave human rights conditions in North Korea, especially the denial of universal freedoms of speech, press, religion, assembly, and association, and restrictions on freedom of movement and workers’ rights. I have met in the Oval Office with some of the brave individuals who have escaped from that country. I am deeply concerned by the stories of divided families, harsh conditions, and suffering. The United States stands with the North Korean people in their call for freedom. We believe it is every person’s basic right to live in freedom and dignity. We will continue to support the North Korean people as they strive to achieve the rights and freedoms to which they are entitled as human beings. We look forward to the moment when we can celebrate the blessings of liberty with the North Korean people.





February 12, 2008


I've written more than 100 articles for magazines and penned 3 novels and one nonfiction book, but this is my first attempt at a blog! My name is Hope and I'm the administrator of this site. I want to welcome you to, not only read my blog, but interact with me by signing up to wiki on this website. Simply click the yellow box at the top right that says, "Join this Wiki." Just call yourself "Sue Smith" or "John Jones" (whatever!) and join us. An Easy Edit Toolbar will appear at the top of the page and you can click it and write blogs, insert pictures, create pages, have fun!

So, what's going on in North Korea? Same old stuff. It's heartbreaking to see the
pictures of the children who are starving there. I want to do two things to help them:


1. Pray (Go to www.houseofprayerfornorthkorea.wetpaint.com )



2. Inform the world about what's going on. (Click Home in left column to see video)

I've written several articles about North Korea. You can link onto those articles for more information. There's even one for children that's not "too scary."

• Christians Seek Covert Ways to Send Aid to North Korea

• Children's Story, Escape From North Korea

• • Centennial Celebration of 1907 Pyongyang, Korea Revival

  http://ctlibrary.com/ct/2007/januaryweb-only/105-32.0.html

  

• Pastor Champions Plight of North Korean Refugees

You can email me at northkorea@comcast.net
I'd love to hear from you!


Hope