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It was January of 1991. I was 21 years of age, and I was a vegetable. I was finally out of the hospital. I was pacing around the house like a zombie. I could not read any of the physics textbooks on my bookshelf. As I tried to read my physics textbooks, the neural pathways in my brain was in state of shock and had a tremendous pain inside of my body. I still fantasized about winning three Noble Prizes in physics and having a beautiful Korean Christian wife. I tried to find a Bible in my home, but I could not find it. My parents told me that my Bible was lost in Berkeley. Later, I called my brother in Ithaca, New York. My younger brother was attending Cornell University as an undergraduate.
"Hello, Richard. Its me. Your brother Joseph calling," I spoke like a child.
"Joe, you are not the same person, whom I knew," said my brother Richard.
"Richard, are you glad that I am a Christian?"
"No, Joseph. I want my old brother back."
"What are you talking about? We are going to heaven together."
"Joseph. Snap out of it. I don't believe in Jesus Christ anymore."
"What are you talking about?"
"Joseph! After your Jesus brainwashed you, I don't want to become a Christian. I really hate what your Jesus did to you, and I will never forgive Him. As long as you are sick, I will hate Him! I love you, Joseph. I really love you because you are the only brother I've got. If I am going to hell for loving you, then your Jesus is not a loving God!" said Richard.
I was speechless. I did not know what to say. It was mentally too painful for me to tell my brother the truth that God loves him. Three years later, I thought that my brother accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, but tragically, Richard backslided one year later. Even though I had fully recovered from my illness a few years later, I was devastated by the fact that my prayers for Richard were done in vain.
It was December of 1995. My brother was coming to visit me from Georgetown University. As Richard arrived at John Wayne Airport, he was not happy when he paid about $15 to the taxi driver. My brother saw the exterior of my Oxford Court condo by UCI and was not impressed with it. As Richard walked inside the condo, he saw the view of the lake, scrubs, and trees. He was in awe. The sun was shining through the patio window. When he opened the patio door, we could hear the ducks quaking. My brother looked happy. He tried to encourage me to play golf. When I told him that it is a very boring sport, Richard became very angry. I could see that he was extremely frustrated with me. After we talked about golf, I tried to ask my brother to go to church with me.
"No, Joseph. I don't want to go to church with you," Richard protested.
"I guess you are not a Christian," I said.
"I am a Christian."
"O.K. Do you believe that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior?
"Yes, I do."
"Do you believe that Jesus is God?"
"Yes, I do."
"Do you believe that the Bible is inerrant?"
"Yes, I do."
"All right, let me ask you a tougher question. Lets say that you were in Korea during the Japanese occupation. If the Japanese captain asked you to step on the portrait of Jesus Christ on the ground as a statement of denying your faith in God, would you do it?"
"Joseph, only a fool will die for Christ."
"Then you are not Christian."
"Are you trying to tell me that you will die for Christ?"
"Yes, I would lose my life for Christ. Mark 8:35 says For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it."
"Joseph. I am afraid that you are the only Christian in this world who is willing to die for Christ."
"If you go to Bethel, you will meet a lot of people who will die for Christ. Why don't you meet my friends from church and ask yourself."
"Joseph, don't be stupid. Your Bethel friends will laugh at you. For your sake, Joseph. Don't ask."
"Are you afraid that I will prove you wrong?"
"No, I just don't want you to make a fool of yourself like you always do."
"I can see that you are afraid to find out the truth. Let me call a brother in Christ on the phone and ask him."
"Oh my gosh! If you want to call him, go ahead and make a fool of yourself."
I called Mike [alias name], a brother in Christ from Bethel English Ministry, and asked him whether he would step on the portrait of Jesus Christ. (Please note that it is a true story, but I am keeping Mikes identity confidential).
"Well, Joseph. I would not step on the portrait of Jesus Christ if I were born in Korea during the Japanese occupation of World War II, but I do not believe that not stepping on the portrait of Christ is essential for us in order to be saved," said Mike.
"O.K. Mike, let me tell my brother," I paused and told Richard that Mike said that he would die for Christ.
"Oh my gosh! That makes two fools in this world!" my brother Richard uttered in disbelief.
"Joseph, I heard that. Let me talk to your brother," Mike said.
After Mike talked to my brother for an half an hour, my brother was somewhat happy that I am not the only nut in this world who really love Jesus Christ. Knowing that Richard loves sports, I told him that Pastor Joshua is the Korean version of Michael Jordan. My brother was intrigued because he loves basketball.
"Are you telling me that your pastor plays basketball?" Richard smiled.
"I will play basketball with you if you come to church," I said.
"O.K. Joseph. Since I love you as my brother, I will come with you."
My brother and I went to church on Wednesday night. I introduced Richard to many people at Bethel, and there was Pastor Joshua passing out some pizza. My brother said, "That pastor looked so young. Joseph, could you tell me how old is Pastor Joshua?"
"Pastor Joshua, how old are you? My brother said that you looked so very young."
Pastor Joshua said, "That's right, baby. I am at the prime of my life!"
We sang many Christmas songs, and Richard was having a lot of fun going to church when he was there. He was very entertained when we were doing Bethel Jeopardy at the end of Bible study. After Bible study was over, we hang around at Irene's place to eat and have fellowship. Richard made friends with Cheol and Frank, and he got to know others like Andrew and Peter. I was so happy that God is trying to answer my prayers for my brother.
Not only my brother came to Bible Study on Wednesday night, but he also want to help out Harold in the Angel Tree Ministries on Saturday. I was playing my violin there, and I can see that my brother felt welcomed and was enjoying the fellowship at Bethel. After it was over, Peter gave me and Richard a ride to our condo.
"So, Peter, what are you up to?" I asked.
"Well, I am finishing up all of my courses at the police academy," Peter said.
"You are going to be a police officer?" Richard said.
"So, Peter, if you were born in Korean during the Japanese occupation and if the Japanese soldiers asked you to step on the portrait of Jesus Christ on the ground, what would you do?" I asked.
"I would not have step on it," Peter said.
"I am really proud of you, Peter," I said.
When Richard and I returned home, my brother could not believe that every Christian at Bethel College Ministry would die for Christ. He realized that I was right. On the next day, the Christmas Eve, Richard and I went to church. I was so happy. Suddenly, Cheol and Frank gave Richard and me a Christmas card. I was so encouraged by the people at Bethel College Ministry.
After service was over, Pastor Joshua, Cheol, Richard, Steve Min, I and the rest of the other brothers at Bethel College Ministry played basketball at 5:00 P.M. It was a lot of fun. I was not able to score. On the other hand, Richard was the Korean version of Michael Jordan. I could see that Pastor Joshua had problems guarding my brother. Anyway, what can you expect? Pastor Joshua is old. As I was playing basketball, I did not have the faintest clue how to play the sport. I could not shoot. I could barely dribble. I could barely guard Steve by making all of my illegal moves. Steve somehow maneuvered around me without any effort as I tried to block him. I do not know anything about basketball. I just wanted to play basketball so that I could spend some time with my younger brother. Pastor Joshua's team lost, and his team was forced to buy drinks for the winning team which had me and my brother.
At the end, my brother wanted to take a picture with the brothers at Bethel College Ministry. Since Richard wanted to be included in the picture with me, my brother volunteered Pastor Joshua to take the picture for us. I really love my brother. I would do almost anything to help him become a Christian. Trying to be a good loser, Pastor Joshua paid for all of the drinks. As he paid for the drinks, I told the cashier that Joshua Park is our pastor. The cashier was puzzled by the fact that Pastor Joshua was a real cool dude. I could see that Pastor Joshua tried hard to make my younger brother feel so welcomed in his church.
This was my happiest Christmas of my life. Although I am very doubtful that Richard is a Christian, Richard decided to go to church in Washington, D.C. for the first time because he had a wonderful impression of Bethel College Ministry. God was really answering my prayers for my brother.