...years ago, a North Korean government official was dying of tuberculosis. "You only have a few months to live," his physician told him.

Mr. Park decided to pay his final respects to his relatives in Manchuria (Northeast China). One evening, while visiting a relative, Mr. Park overheard a Gospel radio broadcast, originating from South Korea. An American evangelist, aided by an interpreter, gave a message on healing.

"I cannot come to you," the evangelist concluded, "but if you believe God, He will heal you!" Mr. Park did not know what a Bible was, and asked his relatives for a Bible. He was handed a Bible, which he placed upon his chest. Echoing the broadcast's prayer, Mr. Park ended with a hearty "Amen," though ignorant of its meaning.

Weeks passed, and the incident was forgotten. Mr. Park returned to North Korea. Months later, Mr. Park realized that he was still alive. Puzzled, he visited his physician. "I don't understand," his doctor concluded, "but your health is normal!" Instantly, Mr. Park recalled the radio broadcast, the prayer and the Bible.

Requesting a leave of absence, Mr. Park hurried back to Manchuria to re-visit his relatives. He burst out that he had been dying, and that he had been healed. Word grew silently among the village believers, and they rejoiced. Laying their hands on him, they prayed, saying, "We are sending a missionary into North Korea!"

Upon his return, Mr. Park was bursting to share the Good News. Was it safe? Who could he tell? After much prayer, he told his mother. As Mr. Park shared his testimony, she broke out in tears, sobbing, "Son, please forgive me. before the War, I was a church deaconess... however I was afraid to tell you about Jesus. I feared you would report me to the Communists as others who had turned in their parents. Surely the Lord allowed this sickness that you might find Him and be saved."

Turning to the Lord, the elderly mother sank to her knees in gratitude: " Oh, Lord, forgive me," she wept, "thank you for saving my son, and returning the Gospel to our family."

Tearfully, mother and son earnestly prayed for guidance. Subsequently, an underground church was formed. Imagine, a North Korean Church! The fellowship numbers 80 members.