Serving the Lord in Italy

Hello All,

Well here we are in the 10th and last week of our stay here in Au Jung-Ri, Korea. This post will conclude our updates of the happenings around Camp Humphreys Hospitality House. It will be a busy week.

On Monday and Tuesday we'll be meeting with various people to say good-bye. We pick up Greg and Ceci Linton on Wednesday afternoon from the airport. Then we'll be moving into our last weekend of ministry events.

Thanks to all who have been praying for a solution regarding the increase in rent. As way of an update, the landlord has reduced the amount of increase from $1,000 to $500/mo. This rate would be for one year (May 1, to May 1). After May 1, 2007 he will raise it another $500/mo. Discussions are underway at home office and among those here at the house as to how the additional $500 will be generated. In addition, the examination of a long term solution to meet the needs of this growing post is also underway. Please continue to pray for this issue. We are confident God will meet this need. We have seen Him working here and this is just another opportunity to see Him move. What a God we serve.

Please pray for the Lintons as they make the long flight from Colorado with an 18 month old girl. They leave Tuesday the 2nd and arrive on Wednesday. We will have 4 days together to transition responsibilities. This too is their first assignment with Cadence. They have no idea of the blessings that await them here at the HH.

Speaking of blessings, you all have been that to us. It has been through your prayers and financial support that have allowed our family to experience God in new ways. He has opened our eyes to new possibilities and has given us courage and faith to follow Him. We look forward to getting home and digesting all we have been through, all the experiences, the new friendships, the needs we encountered and the lives that are being changed. You all have a part in this. Thank you for your faithfulness in serving our Lord Jesus Christ.

Please pray for our return home. We will be leaving Seoul Monday at 11:00 a.m. This means an early departure from Au Jung-Ri. Pray for our health as we all are feeling somewhat worn down. Pray for Mary and Johnny to have the stamina to last through 24 hours of travel. We are looking forward to being home and reunited with our family and friends.

May God's care be upon you all

The Beer Family

Hello everyone,

It has been a busy week here even with some of our soldiers deployed for a two week exercise down south of us. When we are not busy with ministry activities, much of our time is spent as if we were home. Shopping has to be done and home repairs have to be made. I (Brian) thought I would have a break from 'honey-do' lists while over here. Just like any house, things have to be done to keep it in running order. Several weeks ago I found myself under the van repairing the gear shift linkage that came disengaged. Just this past Thursday our boiler sprung a leak in the upstairs apartment. The landlord was quick to have it replaced. Thankfully one of our Korean faithfuls (Kimberly) acts as our contact point whenever we need to order heating oil, LPG and water. She is such a help.

We need your prayer support on an issue that just came up. While inspecting the boiler replacement, the landlord informed me he wants to raise the rent by $1,000/mo starting May 1. This is a big financial hit. I sent off an email to home office to understand if there is a lease and if so what are the terms and conditions. I'm also talking with Kimberly who just happens to be a realtor to get an idea of our options for another place. Please pray for discernment for us while we navigate through this issue for the next couple of weeks. I can't imagine a better place then this because of its size, layout, location and the fact it has a yard (very uncommon feature here in Au Jung-Ri).

For our activity day this past Saturday, we did something everyone has been after us to do, take the USO tour of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). If we are to understand why the US military is here, we would have to experience one of the last bastions of the cold war. It is the most fortified, guarded and monitored border in the world. I'm sure the facts of this sound as insignificant to you as they did to me until I went up there. It's hard to describe the atmosphere. For an American, freedom is a natural right. Something we are and something we do. Here in Korea, the civil war never ended. The frontline (DMZ) is still militarily active even after 53 years since a cease fire (Armistice) agreement was set in place. It is basically a section of land 4 Kilometers wide running the entire length of the Korean peninsula. In the center of the DMZ is the Demilitarized Line (DML) which is the actual border between the two countries. Many Koreans still live with the pain of families separated by the war. The unification of Korea is ever present in the minds of South Koreans.

Because of age restrictions, Mary and Johnny could not go. Leaving Camp Humphreys, our first destination of the tour was to Camp Boniface, an army post whose motto is "In front of them all". It is the closest camp to Panmunjon which is the place where the Armistice was signed back in 1953. It is also the closest post to the DML. This post would likely be the first to encounter any fighting if hostilities between the two countries reignite. Here we were given a briefing of how and what we were to do when up in Panmunjon. The security measures were extreme. It was in Panmunjon that some of the killings since the signing of the Armistice have taken place.

Panmunjon is only 800 meters in diameter and a map of the compound is above (do not be concerned, I'm not giving away any secret information here). Designated as the Joint Security Area (JSA) between the U.N. and North Korea, it is outside administrative control of both South and North Korea. The U.N. and North Korea sides each operate 6 guard posts and 35 security guards reside inside. Since the ax murder incident on August 18, 1976, by North Korean soldiers, security guards are forbidden to cross over to the opposing side's area.

We were allowed to enter the center blue building (#3) as indicated on the map above. The DML runs right through the middle of these buildings as indicated by the concrete line seen in the image to the left. Discussions between North and South take place in these buildings. When people are present in the JSA, guards are posted along the buildings. They straddle the corners to present less of a target. Inside the building, one Korean soldier straddles the DML indicated by the position of the UN flag on the table and another guards the door on the North Korean side of the room. In the image above right, Katie is positioned safely in South Korea while Claire stands in Communist North Korea. It is common for North Korean soldiers to peer into the windows (on the North side of course) to watch what is going on as indicated by this file image. This did not happen while we were there however. We then made our way to check point (CP) 6 which is the second blue building from the left closest to the DML on the chart above. In the picture to the right you can see CP 5 just over the soldiers left (our right) shoulder. Back in 1976, an ambush occurred when a detachment of 12 UN soldiers went out to trim back a large tree that was beginning to block the line of sight between CP5 and CP6. The image to the right captured the malee. 2 American and 4 Korean soldiers were killed with axes and the others survived. A marker now stands where that tree once stood and it is visible just over the soldiers right (our left) shoulder. In 1984, there were other killings when a visiting Russian citizen bolted from the North side between buildings 1-5 on the DML. North Korean soldiers pursued him into South Korea past the big blue building named Freedom House into the sunken garden area. In the seconds it took for the North Korean soldiers to get there, UN soldiers out flanked them and surrounded the sunken garden and protected the defector. A small arms fire fight ensued killing several North Korean soldiers and one American soldier. Also from CP6 we were able to get our first view of Gijeong-dong. This North Korean propaganda village, situated 1.8 km from Daeseong-dong Village, was built in the northern area of the DMZ for the purpose of propaganda. The image to the right shows the village which has no residents except soldiers. The world's highest flag tower flying the North Korean flag stands at the entrance of the village. The flag weighs 600 pounds dry. From CP6 we traveled down to CP5 to see a very important bridge. The Bridge of No Return as shown below right, runs astride the DML. After the Armistice Agreement in 1953, prisoners of war from both sides were exchanged on this bridge. The name came from the fact that the prisoners of war who voluntarily chose to go to North Korea instead of staying in the South would be unable to return to South Korea. From Panmunjon, we made our way to another observation post to the west that gave a panoramic view of North Korea. We were unable to take any pictures here. If we had, you would see many of their hills are barren. They need the resources for heat and energy. We also were able to descend into 1 of 4 known infiltration tunnels the North dug under the DMZ. They have since been fortified beneath the boundaries of the DMZ and DML. Anyone traveling to Korea should take this tour. It gave me a new appreciation of what our soldiers here at the HH are doing on our behalf. I know the ladies enjoyed themselves.

Prayer and Praise Requests

Praises be to God for the safe journey home of Tom, Beth and Sophie. All three are back home in TN where they joined their three other children. Thank you all for praying for them.

Jeff Norris is back from Hawaii. His eye surgery went well. Continue to pray for healing.

As you can imagine there are many prayer requests here at HH. People are suffering or have loved ones suffering from illnesses and diseases. Many unsaved family members back home and all sorts of issues that arise from that. People coming up on their last days in the service and wondering what the future has in store for them. Please keep this house in your prayers and all the issues God is working on in our lives as well as all who attend. God knows what the specifics are.

God Bless you all

Hello All,

God answers prayer!

We want to let you know that we will be staying 3 more weeks. Our return date is April 3rd. We have been praying for the Lintons (our replacements) that they would raise their remaining amount of support. During our last Friday night service, I made the support needs known to the group and by the end of the night we had $2,500 in hand! Praise God. The Lintons are booking their flight and we expect them here March 29th.

We have been praying for Tom and Beth as they went through a long ordeal to adopt a baby girl (Sophie) from India. They have traveled to India this past weekend to pick her up. Tom was quick to take a couple of pictures and send them to us so we can celebrate with them. The three of them will be home in Alabama this weekend. Keep them in your prayers as they begin the process to repair the cleft palate Sophie has. Tom will be returning to Camp Humphreys in a couple of weeks.

What is happening around HH

We had a wonderful time celebrating Judy's Birthday (March 9th). Of course the celebration had to be stretched out over several days. On Wednesday, Yung was so nice treating our family (and Tom Phillips who was leaving in two days) to a dinner at his favorite restaurant in Pyongtaek. We had our own room and had the pleasure of dinning with the owners two daughters (13 & 8). By the end of the night the girls were singing songs (Korean and American) and playing various hand games. The older daughter could speak English well but the younger only a little. Yung provided any translations when required. The real treat was listening to Tom sing some of his hillbilly songs. I wonder what The Koreans were thinking when they heard these strange sounds. On Thursday we had folks stick around after bible study and help us celebrate with cake and ice cream. I'm sure she'll want to celebrate once again when we return states side.

Prayer Requests

Please pray for Jeff Norris who is in Hawaii having eye surgery. He is hoping to correct a sight problem that has thus far kept him from flight school. Pray the surgery goes well.

There is a peninsula wide exercise including both US and Korean troops for the next two weeks. Pray for safety. A number of the HH soldiers are included in it.

We continue to pray for the Wrights. Jim and Jennie have not heard back regarding the possibility of adopting a baby. Several weeks ago the were told one may be available at anytime. They continue to wait and trust on the Lord.

That is it for now.

All our love
The Beer Family

Greetings all

we need your prayers. The family (Greg and Cici Linton) that is slated to replace us may have to push back their arrival date by several weeks as they work to get their finances in place. We are looking into the possibility of staying up to 3 more weeks. Please pray the Lintons will be able to raise $2,400 in the next week or two and for discernment on our part as to God's will in this.

We have been facing the fact of coming home soon. Time has gone to fast. We simply are not ready to come home yet. There are so many things starting to happen here. This area of Korea is seeing such growth. Camp Humphreys is expanding three fold in the next 5 years and will be the command seat of the 8th Army. Urban sprawl is moving south from Seoul and bringing much development to both Au Jung-Ri ( a farming community for the most part) and the nearest city of Pyongtaek (16 Km away) which is a university town. We have several Chaplins who participate in the house and I know they have been working on their vision and building a ministry to meet the additional needs of the Post. We also have attending the Hospitality House (HH) some local Koreans and Americans who run or are involved in local churches. They too see this as a strategic location to have ministries.

Judy and I attended an English service at a local Korean church on Sunday. This church is lead by Pastor Lee whose wife Esther, attends Friday night activities here at HH. She has been trying to get us over there to meet with her husband and our schedule finally permitted it. After service we got together and discussed his vision (through a translator) for meeting the spiritual needs of internationals that are drawn here either for the universities or for the military. It has been an enlightening experience to see so many faithful servants working for the Lord.

Esther and I share a laugh after Friday night activities

Those loving and serving the Lord at the HH

Jonathan and Kelli Goolsby are from Pike County, Ga.

Jonathan is active Army serving as an Apache mechanic, and Kelli is here to support him.

"The Hospitality House is a home away from home. A place to worship among our friends and family. A place to have comfort knowing you will always have family around.

Kelli would like us to pray for her Aunt who is perparing for a hysterectomy. Pray the operation will go well and healing will be quick.

Michael and Amber Cookey are both from Lititz, PA

Michael is Chinook pilot who is currently the executive officer and shops platoon leader in an aviation maintenance company. Amber is along for the ride but spends most of her time volunteering as a nurse at the school, teaching aerobics, and being active in PWOC (protestant women of the chapel), hospitality house, and chapel activities, and forming relationships with Koreans as well as soldiers.

“The Hospitality House is a safe place to go that always feels like home with amazing people, fellowship, growth, and encouragement. A place that seems 'safer' than a church for those seeking to know more about Jesus.”

“Please allow us to pray for you by sharing your prayer requests. Please pray for our continued growth as a couple as we have only been married for almost 6 months, for Michael to have leadership skills like Jesus. For the salvation of Amber's family and for us to share Jesus boldly, and guard our mouths and what we say.”

What is happening around the HH

This past Saturday a group of us headed up north to the city of Suwon to check out a Korean folk village. It is similar to Greenfield Village but chronicles Korean culture. We enjoy getting to know Korea's rich culture.

Image to the left shows off the sights of the farmers' festival dance. To the right, no picture of Korea is complete without having Kimchi pots in it. This pickled vegetable dish is a main staple of the Korean diet and there are over 200 types with varying degrees of spiciness. It is included in every meal of the day.

To the left to group enjoys a little color. The colorless winter drab can get to you after awhile (just like Michigan). To the right a traditional wedding procession makes its way along a path. The groom would ride on a donkey ahead of the bride who would be carried in a beautifully decorated wedding 'box'. The men behind the bride would carry all the gifts.

The shot to the left shows off a radical session of see-saw. Please do not try this at the local playground. At right, the girls found some rough looking guys to hang out with. I don't think any of them are enjoying themselves (if you can't tell, it is a wall painting).

The shot to the left is the upstairs apartment we live in. On evenings where we do not have scheduled events, we'll occasionally have someone over for dinner. It is a great way to relax and get to know people. This night we had some additional guests. Above, Tom and John are enjoying a session of Batman and Robin. I don't know who enjoys it more. We have been praying for Tom and his wife Beth (back in the states) as they prepare to adopt Sophie from India. God has answered those prayers. All the details have been completed. Tom will be leaving this Friday and will meet Beth in India where they will pick-up Sophie. Tom will return with them to the states for a 30 day leave.

Surrounding Au Jung-Ri and Camp Humphreys are rice fields and small villages like the one to the right. To get around you travel on these rice field roads. As you can see to the left, you want to be very careful while driving. In fact, you have to pay attention and look as far as you can see before entering the roads. You don't want to meet some other vehicle midway. Someone is going to have to backup. Try doing it at night!

Prayer Requests

We are praying for Ken and Kelly Pollack here at HH. Pastor Andrew has a new appointment scheduled for Monday the 13th to try to obtain Grace's Passport.

Pray also for Stan and Jeanna Smith here at HH. They also are trying to obtain the necessary documents so they can travel with Dori (their daughter whom they adopted here)

Maria who is having some trouble during the later stages of her pregnancy. Pray she'll carry the baby full term.

That is all I have time for in the way of an Update. Until next time.

God Bless