Church service
Simon describes how some Christians in North Korea try and celebrate Christmas in the same way they try to commemorate Sunday. "For example, a Christian will sit on a park bench. Another Christian will come and sit beside him. Sometimes it is dangerous even to speak to one another, but just to know they are both Christians is enough. If no one is around, they may be able to share a memorised Bible verse or prayer request.
Simon explains that "Christmas is mainly celebrated in the heart of the Christian... although sometimes it is possible to hold a meeting in remote areas. Occasionally, it may also be possible for Christians to go unobtrusively into the mountains and to hold a 'service' at a secret location with as many as 60 or 70 believers."Children
Although parents cannot be open about their faith in front of their children they still do their best to pass on God's truths. Simon explains, "They will tell them stories from the Bible but never mention 'God' or 'Jesus'.
Brother Simon estimates there are at least 200,000 and maybe even as many as half a million underground Christians. At least 70,000 of these Christians are imprisoned for their faith in political prison camps, which few survive.
Despite all this, the Church is growing. This is mainly due to refugees who come to faith in China and then return. One such woman is Dae. She was nineteen when she left her country to escape hunger and misery. Sadly, in China like many North Korean women she was sexually abused by various men and ended up a physical and psychological wreck, until a Chinese Christian woman started to take care of her. As Dae listened to her, she slowly opened up to God's Word and was physically and spiritually healed as she came to faith.
Equally distressing is the story of 11 year-old Jong Cheol. After finding faith in China, Jong and his friends were arrested by the Chinese police and mercilessly sent back to North Korea. After brutal treatment by the Korean authorities Jong was executed, simply for being a Christian.
Hope
At Christmas, we remember how God's Son came to the world over two thousand years ago. Because of His sacrifice on the cross, there is still hope for North Korea. This hope is living in countless people who are prepared - if necessary this Christmas - to give their lives for their Lord. Like the 11 year-old Jong Cheol, they want to remain faithful to their Redeemer until death.
