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On Nov. 17, a gathering was held at Joae Hall of the Christian Building to remember the victims of the tragedy of the Sewol Ferry sinking, hosted jointly by the NCCK Women’s Committee and the Association of Christian Women Standing Together with the Victims of the Sewol.
The meeting, which incorporated prayer and discussion, had as its stated purpose, “this terrible tragedy took place a year and a half ago, but the families’ need to cry and speak out has not come to an end. We make more time here for the mourning. Church women wait alongside the families for the healing of the pain of daily suffering the absence of their children and to see new hope for the world sprout up. We pray together for the world we dream about”.
Four mothers of the high school students lost that day shared their stories. They all spoke about the fact they were very ordinary people who have been thrust by this circumstance into the public realm. They feel deeply the need for the government to make systemic changes in a corrupt system in which such a thing is allowed to happen and instantly destroy so many lives. One mother told about their continuing efforts to bring the issue forward and their deep frustration with the government which has not taken its responsibility to make a thorough investigation of this accident and enact sincere laws to prevent the reoccurance of such a disaster. Another described their campaign with the School Board to set aside a class room in Ansan School as a memorial for their children. Another told about the pain her second son is experiencing as he does not have an outlet for his grief. Daily he continues to go to the memorial near the school to burn incense for his brother and pray.
These women exhibit courage, determination, and hope in dealing with tragedy. Please pray and work for them.
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