The greatest lesson I learned during my three-week overseas mission was the meaning of brotherly love. Until then, I had admired our overseas members from a distance, viewing them as amazing prophets and key figures in God’s prophecy, but I had never truly felt close to them. However, throughout the mission, as we laughed, shed tears, and preached together, a deep bond naturally formed. When the time came to part, I couldn’t hold back my tears. Seeing me sobbing, a deaconess gently came over and offered comfort:
“If it’s this hard for us to say goodbye, imagine how hard it must be for Mother.”
Though we were unforgivable sinners, our Heavenly Mother came to this earth because She could not bear to be separated from Her children. And yet, even now, She continues to experience the sorrow of parting from the ones She loves. The thought pierced my heart.
“Sister, when we get to heaven, let’s talk for a thousand years.”
One of the local members said this to me as I wiped away my tears. In truth, my language skills were lacking. Though I had received the grace to join the overseas mission, I often felt frustrated—not only while preaching but also because I couldn’t fully communicate with my Zion family. Perhaps the member felt the same. “In heaven, there will be no language barriers,” she said, “so let’s share all the conversations we couldn’t have here.” That one sentence made me long for heaven all the more. Even now, back in Korea, I often think of the members I met overseas. Whenever I do, my steps quicken as I go out to find my lost heavenly family, longing for the day when we will all be together again and share eternal joy and love.