January 3rd 1991 Kookmin News <My life, my transformation>

Inspired by the verse“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves…”
Discovery of the hidden self-ego
KWCTU president Mrs Kwi Ok Yeu

Mrs Kwi Ok Yeu is the president of the KWCTU, who has shown sincere service and devotion for 38 years. She emphasizes that “the main way a Korean women can show their patriotism is by educating their children under Christian values and of a temperate life.
Kwi Ok Yeu was born into a Christian family, blessed with devoted parents where her mother was a bible study teacher at Namsan church and her father a businessman. She was able to mature in her Christian faith by being exposed to her parents’ daily devotions, as they awoke every morning and worshipped the Lord. Her mother had also emphasized the importance of holy Sunday worships, to the extent that she would comment on the tiniest bit of imperfections when it came to Sunday preparations. “Change into a cleaner Hanbok” she would say, expressing her worries towards how her daughter approaches the church.
“The greatest legacy my parents left me was faith. For me, the holy bible and my parents’ lifestyle was the best tutor out there.”

The holy bible as my tutor

As Mrs Kwi Ok Yeu matured in age, her faith also grew. By the time she turned 13, she entered Pyung-Yang Women’s Theology school with the determination that she would become a martyr. Her life continued with no particular trials or hardships, and got married at the age of 16. She spent every day in gratefulness, thanking God for letting her live a life drenched in grace and separated from sin. Whenever she came across people who desperately cried out to God, she felt great pity towards them.

‘What possible sins have those poor souls committed?’ She would think to herself.
Without even knowing it, Kwi Ok Yeu felt a sense of gratefulness as she witnessed such people. She had mistakenly led herself to think that her holy life has been due to her status as a Christian-born child.
However, one spring day of her 23rd year, she encountered a life changing moment when she was born-again. Like always, she opened her bible but came across 1John 1:8 which reads: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”

The words pierced through her heart, as a beam of light shone through the door hole. There, dancing around in the light, she noticed the numerous pieces of dust that she had never taken notice of before. Realizing what she had been doing wrong, she fell to her knees, repenting for the sin of claiming to have no sin.

Realizing her purpose in life

“I was like the dust that shone in the light called Jesus. It was the greatest turning point in my life.”
For four days, she fasted and repented for her past sins. She lay down the pride she possessed as a born-Christian, and had the opportunity to restore her faith.
“I realized the purpose we have as humans. That one verse was like a new life given to me.”
From then, the whole universe felt new. There was not a single place where God’s love was absent. This joy was clearly reflected through her face.
Mrs Yeu also expressed her thankfulness towards the relationship God had allowed between her and WCTU (Women’s Christian Temperance Union). “One day, there was a thief in our house. After that incident, I realized that materialistic things can not last forever. I decided that it would be right to live for God’s eternal work, as it will never be attacked by thieves. Our whole family gathered together and gave God praise and thanks, and then registered for the WCTU.” From then on, Mrs Kwi Ok Yeu gathered young women from all around the Seoul area and taught them knitting, dressmaking, hairdressing, etc and helped them get employed. She also went all across the nation to make speeches about the harms of alcohol and cigarettes. Being daily witnesses of their mother’s sincere devotion and service, the 6 children of Kwi Ok Yeu all matured seizing great faith. In fact, three of her children were so intelligent that they received their doctorate degrees at Harvard University.

“God has filled my life with blessings. I have realized that God blesses those who work for him.”
Mrs Kwi Ok Yeu emphasized that the temperance and labor built on a faithful foundation is a duty of humans. “I hope that in this New Year, all the mothers of Korea educate their children according to the holy bible.”
Mrs Yeu had a legitimate reason to why she always emphasized the importance of such education. This was because she was sure that all the children who are rightly educated under the Word, will find joy in obeying their parents and spreading the gospel.
“There is always a transformation point for us people. If I had not seen that dust floating in the light, I would have remained as an ordinary Christian.”

The labor of temperance is an obligation for all

Mrs Yeu now came to a point where she could not bear it if she did not spend her time spreading the gospel. Not only did she evangelize, she urged them to live holy, pure, and reverent lives. Mrs Yeu’s two daughters have also joined in the temperance work, hoping to carry out the great plans that God has prepared for them. “We decided to participate in the work our mother was doing, because we know how crucial and precious it is.”
Mrs Yeu continued to spread open the holy bible- the bible that had transformed her life.