On that particular day this summer, the American team from Portland and Chicago had a gift to offer the present government. You might call it an anniversary present. Though it was unwelcome to the Communist rulers, it surely was a boon to others throughout the nation.

It was 80,000 tracts sharing good news about Jesus.

It started with a bus ride to Incheon, famous for critical invasions. The briefing on the bus as we approached the port city was somber, even scary. We were given words to repeat should we be approached by anyone on the boat or even before we boarded:

1. I am carrying an American passport. and/or

2. I am here observing the launch.

And nothing more. Nothing, nothing more.

Thankfully we never needed to perform our lines. All went nearly perfectly. One hour by fishing boat into the sea, up towards North Korea. We were accompanied by two patrol boats and had a KCIA (Korean Central Intelligence Agency) man on board. Just in case. None of this escort was requested by us. What we were about to do was perfectly legal but typically raises important eyebrows when it is done. You just never know what might happen.

I saw that KCIA man doing two interesting things. He helped to feed the black-tailed gulls that followed us all the way. And he made a call on his cell phone when we arrived within the proper distance of NK. I'll let you guess which event had me shivering just a little extra. (Hint: I'm an avid bird-watcher and had never seen a black-tailed gull before today.)

No, I don't know how close we came to the controversial waters where fishermen and others have been threatened by North Korean vessels. I decided not to ask. Doesn't really matter.

What matters is that within 30 minutes of our arrival at the "spot", eight balloons were filled with hydrogen and began sailing up into the sky and out over North Korea. Their payload: 10,000 tracts each, to be time-released all over that land, announcing from the heavens that Jesus Christ is the leader that is needed there.

Happy Anniversary, Mr. Kim and company. God have mercy on North Korea!

Thank you Lord, for the reminder that

"Jesus shall reign where'er the sun doth his successive journeys run,