In the morning of Dec 4, white frost covered the empty field. About 50 members of the Church of God in Daejeon city visited a welfare institution for the disabled, Hanmaeum House, located in the outskirt of the city. It has three accommodation facilities and one rehabilitation facility for the severely disabled. The members ever visited the institution in late January and did voluntary activities.

ⓒ 2003 WATV

Chairman Yoo Gwang-woon welcomed the volunteers, saying, "Social welfare should be interaction between volunteers and the disabled, not a one-way charity. Fortunately, there has been a positive change in volunteers' mindsets these days."
He added, "We are greatly encouraged by your visit and consideration." Lee Woo-seop, the pastor the of the Church of God in Daejeon parish, responded to his gratitude, saying, "Practice of God's love is a must for church. We ourselves thank you for giving us an opportunity to receive God's blessing." The pastor expressed apology for not visiting the institution more often due to other volunteer activities.

The Church delivered Kimchi and sanitary supplies to the disabled, and winter gloves to the workers at the facilities. Social workers at the institution expressed gratitude from the heart for the members' donating daily necessaries, health supplies and Kimchi which was particularly more thankful gift because they couldn't prepare it for the winter due to bad water supply condition. Nutritionists at the institution marveled at the lunch the volunteers prepared for the disabled. They expressed their gratitude to the church members for providing such heartfelt foods.

At the lunch time, pastors and women members helped the blind and mentally retarded friends' lunching. Because most of them were severly disabled, they had to wear a vinyl apron and needed others' help in having their meals. For all that, these were in better condition than those who couldn't even come down to the kitchen. The volunteers helped the badly disabled who had to stay in their rooms or sit on their wheel-chairs all the day.

ⓒ 2003 WATV

Teachers educating the disabled said, "Communicating with the disabled is much more meaningful than just giving physical materials." Baek Eun-yeup, a rehabilitation teacher, said, "Today's 'Food Sharing Program' is especially helpful for both volunteers and the disabled. Through the program, volunteers can understand the life of the disabled, and the disabled can develop their emotions. It is very educational activity."

After finishing volunteer activities, such as preparing food, helping their lunch and bath, cleaning up the rooms and doing laundries, the women members said, "Actually we gained more while staying with the disabled." From the disabled who live together, helping one another, they learned the importance of sound mind and brotherly affection. They promised to visit again. On that day, they seemed to even more resemble God of love.