In 2007, shortly after being elected as the new President of ICCRS (International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services) I, together with Cyril John, the Vice President, had the great pleasure of meeting Pope Benedict XVI. We spoke briefly about the challenges facing the Church in Western Europe then, when Pope Benedict heard that Cyril was from India, his face lit up and he said, ‘of course the Church is very dynamic in Asia’. Since then, it has been a blessing for me to travel in Asia and experience the many and varied expressions of Charismatic Renewal there. Perhaps partly in response to the Holy Father’s comments, ICCRS decided to hold their 2009 international gathering in Asia, at the Kkottongnae Community, in South Korea (see Goodnews article Jan/Feb 2009). For many of us here in the West, Korea seems a rather remote and obscure destination. However, shortly before the conference, Korea was in the news headlines for all the wrong reasons. North Korea had test fired a ballistic missile and incurred widespread international opposition. The country was in the news every day and there was a lot of so-called ‘sabre rattling’. Then, a few days before we were due to depart; there was a second nuclear test. This together with the spread of Swine Flu put the whole conference in great jeopardy. However, the South Koreans were undeterred and adamant that because of the political unrest it was even more important for people from all over the world to come and pray with them. I was deeply touched by their faith and courage. This obviously stems from their unique history. Christianity in Korea is only 225 years old. The country was originally evangelised by lay people and then, in less than 100 years, many of the Christians suffered terrible persecutions and martyrdom was common.

Celebrating Mass in the demilitarized zone on the North-South Korean border

In response to the heightened political tensions, prior to the main ICCRS event, a small international delegation travelled to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on the North-South Korean border in order to celebrate a Mass. The special intention was to pray for peace, reconciliation, and re-unification. I was surprised when we arrived at the boarder area to find that there were around 1,000 Koreans waiting for us and that the Mass was to be televised. Initially I felt a bit overwhelmed by the surreal surroundings. In true Korean style, the choir were dressed in brightly coloured, silk national costumes. We were all given decorative orchid corsages to wear. The Altar and liturgy were beautifully prepared and yet we were literally only a few metres from the barbed wire and military look out stations at the border separating the two worlds of North and South Korea. During the liturgy there were many fervent prayers for re-unification and reconciliation and deep lamentations drawing people into repentance. There was a strong sense that, without hesitation, the gathered assembly wanted their nation to be once again united and at peace. After Holy Communion as I quietly knelt in prayer, I had a strong conviction from the Holy Spirit. I was led to reflect upon what I would do if my neighbour was constantly aggressive, un-cooperative and had recently fired nuclear missiles in my direction. Tears welled up in my eyes as I knew deep within my heart I would find it so difficult in those circumstances to sincerely pray for and desire reconciliation and re-unification. Yet somehow I was converted by the faith of the assembly that day.

Only prayer can change the destiny of a nation

My thoughts and prayers were suddenly interrupted as I could hear my name being spoken by the translator and I realised that I was being invited to give a message on behalf of the International delegation. I can’t remember too clearly what happened at this point but I know the Holy Spirit spoke through me very powerfully because everyone commented about this afterwards. As I looked out at the sea of faces and looked beyond them to the seeming hopelessness of the border situation, I remember loudly declaring ‘only prayer can change the destiny of a nation’. This was greeted with great applause as the crowd sprang to their feet and we began to pray in tongues asking the Lord to grant our hearts’ desire that this nation would once again be one.

Participants experience serving the poor

From the outset, Br James Shin, our ICCRS Councillor from Kkottongnae Community, suggested that as our theme was ‘love in action’ we should not just hold a conference ‘about’ this theme but we should actually experience it by engaging in some charity work. So the event began by participants being given the opportunity to do some voluntary work among the 4,000 elderly, handicapped, homeless, sick, or abandoned people who are tenderly cared for by the Kkottongnae community in their ‘Flower Village’. It was really moving to see the way in which every person is valued as a member of the Kkottongnae family. At Kkottongnae there are 230 religious sisters and 150 religious brothers. The founder of the Community Fr John Oh had a profound conversion 33 years ago after meeting a beggar in the street. He was deeply moved to find out that the man, known as Grandpa Choi, was not only begging for himself but he was also collecting food for other poor people who were too sick or weak to fend for themselves. The motto of the community is ‘even if you have only the strength to beg for food it is a blessing from the Lord’. So everyone is encouraged to ‘count their blessings’ and a real spirit of joy is evident. It was very moving to see that everyone helped each other and there wasn’t a strict segregation between the helpers and those who were being cared for.

Spectacular opening ceremony

The international event, attended by people from 45 nations, began with a spectacular opening ceremony. I was part of a procession carrying the flaming torch representing our faith. After impressive Korean drumming and dancing, I was mechanically elevated several meters in the air where my torch ignited an Olympic style flame and fireworks exploded all around us! This was the first of many surprises of the Spirit that we experienced together. The event drew to a close with an impressive rally of around 50,000 people. This was held in an outdoor arena at Kkottongnae. We were all amazed that around two hours after the crowds had dispersed the whole site was cleared and there was not a scrap of litter or debris left behind! Generosity of spirit I have never encountered before Throughout the event one scripture kept coming to me, Matt 10:8 ‘you received without charge, give without charge.’ I would consider myself to be a reasonably generous person. However, at Kkottongnae I witnessed a depth of generosity of Spirit that I have never encountered before. The community clearly embody Jesus who in love gave everything and poured out his life for all. They in turn, through love, pour out their lives in the service of the poorest of the poor. The Community cares for people from the cradle to the grave and the love they give is total and seemingly unconditional. I heard about a homeless man who has been ‘part of the family’ for many years but he keeps coming and going. It is important for Kkottongnae community to be a place of welcome without walls where people are free. One of the brothers did however say that it is always a challenge to our charity when a prodigal wants to return for the 5th, 6th or 10th time!

Michelle Moran is a member of the Sion Community, chairwoman of the English NSC and President of ICCRS.