As we prepare to enjoy our turkey dinners in a few weeks and celebrate Thanksgiving, it’s important to remember those in other countries who do not enjoy many of the privileges of liberty we take for granted. In spite of strides made over the last 200 years, basic freedoms are still denied in many nations including China, North Korea, Afghanistan, Libya and more.
The first Sunday in November is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Many Christians around the world will be wearing orange this Sunday as they pray for brothers and sisters who are suffering for their faith. All are invited to join this moment of solidarity with fellow believers.
According to Open Doors, North Korea is currently the worst nation for religious persecution. Under the leadership of Kim Jong-un, many Christians have been and are being imprisoned, tortured, and killed. Please pray for a rapid end to this brutality and injustice.
Thankfully, many Christians were miraculously saved from Korea 71 years ago this December. As the Korean War was raging, President Truman issued a declaration of emergency authorizing the US Army to conduct an evacuation of Korean refugees. In what became known as the Hungnam Evacuation, Operation Christmas Cargo, or the Miracle of Christmas, nearly 100,000 individuals were escorted to safety to Pusan in the south.
We are privileged in the Shenandoah Valley to share the legacy of the US Army General who oversaw this massive operation. General Edward Almond whose portrait once graced the cover of Time Magazine was born in Luray in 1892 and graduated from Virginia Military Institute. After commanding and being wounded in an offensive on the French frontline in World War I, he received the Silver Star.
As he rose through the ranks of the Army, Almond was promoted to Brigadier General at the beginning of WWII and commanded the campaign in Italy. After fighting in two World Wars, General Almond also led forces in Korea and coordinated what is recognized by Guinness as the largest evacuation from land by ship.
Many of the people saved in this rescue faced certain death under communist leadership that later seized the area. The majority of those liberated were underground believers who were enduring severe religious persecution due to the Soviet occupation following World War II.
Among the evacuees from the north were the parents of future South Korean President Moon Jae-in. Five babies were also born on the ships during their voyage and US sailors nicknamed them Kimchi 1–5. Additionally, many individuals from these ships of salvation went on to become leaders in churches throughout South Korea faithfully sharing Jesus’ Gospel with others.
Sadly, about the same number of those who were rescued were left behind due to limited space. They endured terrible times and the bitter repression of North Korean Christians continues to this day. As stated above, North Korea is but one nation among many where Christians are being imprisoned, tortured, and slaughtered for their faith. I pray that we who enjoy abundant freedom of religion will remember our repressed brothers and sisters who are not as fortunate and that our prayers will encourage them as well as the involvement of our government.
Most importantly, the massive evacuation from northern Korea reminds us of the even bigger rescue that Jesus accomplished. Traveling as the original Christmas Cargo down from Nazareth, He arrived as the true Miracle of Christmas in the Bethlehem manger. Later He would die and rise again to rescue anyone willing to be saved from the bitter eternal suffering that awaits all who refuse. Thankfully, He has enough space for all who are willing to board His ship. If you haven’t, do so today. If you have, wear your orange this Sunday and pray for other persecuted Christians around the world.
Blessings, George