Youth students of Zion Lutheran Church in Belleville, Illinois, wrote letters of condolence to the friends and family members of the victims who died in the Sewol Ferry disaster recently in Korea. These letters were sent to Danwon High School and posted on a bulletin board at the school.
Students expressed their sadness about the tragedy, and their hopes that those affected by the incident would be able to find Christ’s comfort and love in the midst of the chaos. The church had been praying together for the deceased students, their families, and their friends.
“I cannot imagine how you must feel after such a tragedy. My heart goes out to you. What I do know is that God loves you even at times when we can’t believe that. He is there with you. He is able to give you strength, comfort, and peace – the kind of which you have never known. ‘Call upon me in the day of trouble and I will deliver you.’ Jesus, God’s Son, said those words. I will be praying for you,” said one letter written by Rene.
Reverend Jin O Jeong, an assistant pastor for the Korean congregation at the church, and Kerri, a youth minister, led the students into preparing these letters.
“Apostle Paul states that ‘if one member of the body suffers, all the members suffer with it,’ in 1 Corinthians 12:26. Zion’s youth students, who are similar in age with many of the victims of Sewol, feel as if this could have happened to them. I’m most grateful to all of our youth students who showed love and concern in Jesus Christ as Lutheran members. Just as the 95 theses written by Martin Luther brought the Reformation, I pray that these letters posted on Danwon High School will bring comfort and consolation to the family members of these young men and women who died,” said Reverend Jeong.
