Reminiscences About President Kwi Ok Yeu

March 30, 2006
The Ingergards and Peters

Peter Beyerhaus
Prof. Dr. Theology at Tubingen University, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School Professor
2003 Yonsei University Professor
Author of 'Mission and Apologetics'

Dear Jung-Joo!

Ingegaerd and I are deeply moved by your account of your dear mother's, Mrs. Kwi Ok Yeu, departure and funeral some days ago. Thank you so much for taking your time to write so much in detail about the circumstances under which in your presence she was called by her Lord, and how you felt her speaking so joyfully to your heart about her spiritual victory and forthcoming resurrection.

She was, indeed, a great warrior in God's fight against the prince of darkness, whom she conquered many times through her ardent prayer and her fearless witness to Jesus Christ. Many people addicted to alcohol and drugs have found a new life in Him and joined her crusades in the Korean and international Temperance Union to rescue other sinners as well and to work for a spiritual and ethical cleansing of the Korean nation. But her greatest achievement, we believe, was her bringing u five children in the fear of the Lord and in readiness to dedicate their lives to His service. In this she was, of course, greatly assisted by the Holy Spirit who took His abode in your hearts and those of the following generation of grandchildren.
It is really touching to read your description how emotionally David's and Ester's three children reacted, which is not difficult to imagine since we have got to know them so well and to love them. Little Eui Jin was the last one of them whom I saw in connection with my book presentation party in November 2004 in Allen Hall, where she even played an active role by singing beautifully in front of many adults!

Unfortunately we never had an occasion to meet your mom personally, since she was already very ailing when we arrived in Seoul in March 2003. We were very much aware that she had an important part in bringing us to Yonsei University, because it was her deep desire that the Yong Jae Chair should be occupied by somebody with a thrust for the spiritual renewal of the Campus, and her ardent prayers together with yours contributed much to the selection of my person. Although we did not see her in the flesh, we still received a clear and vivid picture of her by reading her wonderful family story "Beautiful Memories" which you translated into English. Even now the book is lying beside my type writer, and I enjoy looking at the beautiful photographs of her and her children and reading the headlines of the chapters, which each one gives a vivid testimony of her joy to see her children develop according to God's master plan with them!

You record that more than 1000 people attended her funeral, which is marvellous since she had completely withdrawn from public life during the final years of her life. But all of them and even more people remembered her from what she had accomplished during her earlier years, and once meeting such a sanctified personality surely would leave a deep impression upon their minds.

We are glad to read that the Lord drew David's attention to Hebrews 12:1 and assured you all that your mother has now been lifted up to join the cloud of witnesses surrounding the saints still on earth to complete their spiritual race. What a comfort to know that those who departed in Christ have not really left us but that their still united with us in the one great concern that His Kingdom will grow on earth already now and once come in great power and glory!

Your family has served the Lord in many different ways to make Him known to a society which so urgently needs Him. Now your way of showing assurance of victory and resurrection will also be a convincing testimony to many. Your present letter, too, is such a testimony which we shall treasure in our hearts.

Now, our dear sister in Christ Jung-Joo: Please convey our sincere condolence to all members of your family, especially those whom we have met personally : To your sister Young-Joo, your brother Younghoon and his wife Ester and their three lovely children. It is quite natural when they are weeping now because of their bereavement. We are mourning with you, at the same time as we share your thankfulness for this completed life and your assurance that you will be reunited with her in the life to come. Let us console you with the word from Revelation 14:13

"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they shall rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."

In the love of the risen Christ,
Yours truly,