Commemoration of Mrs Kwi Ok Yeu

Deaconess Sa-rae Lee

On the 20th of March 2006 at 8am, the respectful and admirable Mrs Kwi Ok Yeu has gloriously entered the gates of the Lord’s kingdom, accompanied by the cheerful trumpets of the angels.

I believe that at this right moment, Mrs Kwi Ok Yeu is looking down from the glorious heavens above as we dedicate this time for to commemorate her respectful journey in this world.
Mrs Kwi Ok Yeu has lived every moment of her life to glorify the Lord.
Throughout her life, she bore many of the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit. Out of the nine however, she especially emphasized the fruit of self control and expended a vast amount of energy in doing so.
The area opposite of Seoul station was famous for prostitution, where many uneducated girls would sell themselves to provide for their living. In order to help these women from the chains of alcohol and cigarettes, Mrs Kwi Ok Yeu established the Women’s Christian Temperance Union hall in the middle of these red zones.
Not only did she take responsibility over the Korea Women’s Christian Temperance Union, but she also attended the World WCTU convention as a Korean representative and enhanced the national prestige. She also went to Japan and courageously stood up for the deep scars that the Japanese had made in the Koreans.

Mrs Kwi OK Yeu also had a special gift in evangelism. There were many incidents where she converted many Buddhists into Christians, and would gather them together on Thursdays and have worship services and studied the bible. At this time, I also participated in this Thursday service held at Mrs Yeu’s house. Despite my many flaws and imperfections, Mrs Yeu provided great admiration and care towards me, giving me respectful treatment for being the child of a martyr. Without any hesitation, she even provided me with funds for my missionary trips.

At times, Mrs Yeu requested that I accompanied her. Whenever we spent time together, she would leave whatever she was doing and run off home exactly at noon. This was in order to prepare lunch for her husband at home. I was dearly moved and could not contain my awe whenever I witnessed her actions as a good wife and mother.
Mrs Yeu was ever so humble and frugal, to the extent that she would mend old socks for her children to wear. Despite this, she would generously give all she could to the poor. In 1978, I once visited a Leper village in Sang-gye dong where 23 families isolated with Leprosy. Whilst I shared the gospel, I realized how they were shivering in the cold due to the lack of briquettes in their village. I phoned Mrs Yeu and told her about the devastating story. As soon as she heard this, she asked me to visit her company the next day, emphasizing her urgency. When I arrived in front of the Daesung building, I saw an enormous truck filled with briquettes for me to take. We drove the truck to the village of Sang-gye dong, and saw the tears of joy and thankfulness the leper villagers expressed. Each of the coal briquettes was distributed to the houses, and we were able to warm not only their bodies but also their hearts. When I phoned Mrs Yeu to thank her for her kindness, she thanked me back for introducing her to such a place of need. I can still remember the soft melodies of her humble voice.

Every dawn, Mrs Yeu went out to her backyard and knelt down to pray. When she did, she often saw blissful dreams and illusions. She was a mother of prayer not only to our nation, but also to the unreached people of the world. No wonder, as we ponder upon her journey to heaven, it is difficult to press in our feelings of grief and sadness for our loss.
Mrs Yeu had a special expectation towards her youngest son, and would always pray for his future paths. When he became a marriageable age and was looking for a wife, Mrs Yeu would always visit the partner’s family. I remember two times when I was asked to accompany her in her visit. I witnessed that Mrs Yeu never took into consideration the status, position or financial power of the family, but instead focused on whether the family had deep roots as a Christian and put much interest into the partner’s faith. Her prayers were answered, and her youngest son started a family and was gifted with one son and two daughters. Despite being children, we look forward to the faithful journey they will have throughout their lives, attending the WCTU world conventions and touching the hearts of the members. Whenever I look towards these hopeful futures, I feel assured that firstly, this is all God’s grace, and secondly, that this is all a valuable legacy left by their grandmother.
On behalf of all the members here today, I would also like to firstly thank God and secondly thank Mrs Yeu for educating her children in faith and appointing them as the next leaders of the Korea WCTU.
We too, would like to continue the journey you have started on this Earth and live for the glory of God and for the expansion of God’s kingdom. We look forward to the day we fulfill our life journey and ascend into the gates of heaven to meet you once again.
I would like to close this commemoration with my ever flowing love and admiration for Mrs Yeu.

28th March 2006,
WCTU representative
Sa-rae Lee