We continue to be very concerned about the thousands of people who have been living in flimsy shelters provided by the Red Cross after losing their homes in the flooding of the Tumen river the end of August.  A close friend of mine shared with me recently that his mother and older sister lost everything when the flood washed away their home late at night.  They have been living in a plastic shelter ever since.  The authorities have promised to get everyone into new homes within weeks--a promise received with skepticsm. There are also rumours that people will be given new color television sets.  However, the prevailing sentiment is that people are not interested in new TVs but want food and homes that won't fall down around them.  The Army was sent into the area to rebuild but has become a threat to the very people they are supposed to help.  In the meantime, the residents, themselves, are carrying the greater burden. Even the greater crackdown on crime is backfiring because of increased bribery. People are also upset that most of the funds, supplies and manpower allocated for rebuilding are going to the new showpiece Ryomyong Street in Pyongyang.  Traders bringing in goods from China are also under pressure to provide "loyalty gifts" to help with that project.

Still life must go on in every sphere.  The vaunted central planning of the Communist North Korean system has virtually capitulated as most state-run factories across the nation are operating in a de facto market economy.  The market is also functioning in the area of news and entertainment as illegal make-shift media rooms are popping up all over.  And, of course, the propaganda departments are going all out to paint a glowing picture of the North.  Here is a an hour-plus-long propaganda video on YouTube exalting the Leader's accomplishments and his prowess as a commander and even a jet pilot.  Meanwhile life for those who have come south--while not as dire as that which they left behind in the North--is not easy. 

All in all, a lot for us to be praying for.

Remembering Our Brothers in Prison

It was a great honor for me to spend time with former NK prisoner, Kenneth Bae, last week.  His first words to me were, "Thank you!"  He said his mother had made him promise to thank me as soon as we had a chance to meet.  He expressed deep appreciation to all of us who prayed so earnestly for him throughout his long imprisonment. He also shared with me about his new work in the US and South Korea with North Korean resettlers helping them adapt to life in the South and to work with others wanting to minister to them.  We should continue to keep him in our prayers that the Lord strengthen and guide him in this new work and heal any lingering effects of his time in North Korean prisons.

We continue to pray for the pastors who are still imprisoned in North Korea. We pray for Pastor Hyeon Soo Lim of the Light Korean Church in Toronto, especially as we have received recent word that he has been hospitalized for deteriorating health. We also remember South Korean pastors Jeong Wook Kim, Kook Ki Kim and Choon Gil Choi and American Pastor Dong-chul Kim. We also lift up in our prayers University of Virginia student Otto Warmbier. Pray with us that they be released to their homes and families soon.

Ben Torrey

Director, The Fourth River Project, Inc.

www.thefourthriver.org