Joy Earned with Patience

Shin Da-un from Anyang, South Korea

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This happened when I was preaching the gospel in Philadelphia, USA, by the grace of Heavenly Father and Mother. I had no fruit for quite some time, so I was worrying, thinking, ‘How come I don’t have fruit?’ Finally, through the short-term mission to Altoona, God gave me a fruit—Sister Carolyn, who is over eighty. Making an eight-hour round trip every Sunday, I diligently delivered the truth of the Sabbath, the Passover, and God Elohim for two months.

But one day, I suddenly lost contact with her. So worried, I visited her. I didn’t know what had happened, but in a cold manner she refused to receive the Truth Book I handed to her. On the desk, there was a note: “I went to the Church of God, 9 AM–10 PM” I found out that she wanted to keep the Sabbath and went out to find Zion alone. But eventually, she could not find Zion, so her feelings were hurt. At the thought that she must have looked for Zion with her old and feeble body, I was very sorry to her. I only told her it was a house church. It was my fault that I did not give her the detailed address in advance. I kept apologizing to her. Then, I handed her the Truth Book, praying that God might console her.

The next day, when she met us again, she opened the door wide and welcomed us. As soon as she saw me, she began to apologize. “I have something to say. I want to apologize for what happened yesterday. I refused to receive this book, but I’m sorry. This book is really wonderful, wonderful! It is the best book in my life. Once I started reading it, I could not stop. Let me show how much I read.”

Wow, I was really moved. Even though she is over eighty, she is so humble and likes the words of God so much. I truly gave thanks to Heavenly Father and Mother. When I packed up to go home after finishing studying the words of the truth that day, she humbly bowed her head to me. Then she told me to get home safely, and waved at me until she couldn’t see me.

I give thanks to God for granting me such a beautiful fruit. Through Sister Carolyn, I came to know the joy of preaching the gospel and of bearing fruits, and my soul, which was slowly losing its liveliness, became refreshed. Come to think of it, the reason God made me go through the refinement of faith was to make me bear such a beautiful fruit, so I was all the more grateful to God.

Now that the Altoona House Church has just begun, the Zion family members still keep worship services at another Zion that is in a far distant location. I pray that Zion will be established in the region of Altoona, too, and that many souls will be led into the arms of God Elohim. By making extra efforts to find lost sheep, I want to please Heavenly Father and Mother. Heavenly Mother, Thank You. I love You!