저의 이름은 高陽 殷은氏의 헌기(殷 憲基)입니다. 일본 국적을 얻을때 성씨의 본관인 고양을 새로운 성으로 등록하고 이름은 헌기를 사용하였습니다. タカヒ(高陽) さとし(憲基)라고 부르고 있습니다. 메노나이트에 대하여 많이도 알고 싶습니다.
I plan to go to the USA at the end of November to renew my veterinary license. I will do classes at the state veterinary diagnostic laboratory to do in December and at the veterinary school in January . While I am there I plan to contact people about mr Eun and his work in Sapporo . If he is ok I wanted to visit mr eun after my USA visit .
I am not sure when he would want me to visit February or March ?
최근에 받은 연락입니다. 주민들에게 콩을 심게 하고 수확물을 모두 사들여 콩우유(두유)를 만들어 아이들에게 먹이고 있습니다. 이와 같이 시장원리를 알도록 하고 있습니다. 나라에서 빌린 땅에 목초를 심어 젖소를 길러 우유를 마시게 하려는 계획을 추진중입니다. 그리고 알게 모르게 주님을 알도록 선교를 하고 있습니다.
"56년 전 고아원생 돌봐준 윤ㅇ희 찾습니다" - 매일신문
"56년 전 고아원생 돌봐준 '윤ㅇ희' 찾습니다"
배포 2014-02-24
일본 삿포르에서 보내온 편지…재일 교포 실업가 은헌기 씨 사연
1955년 고아원 대성원 시절.
대학졸업 때의 은헌기 씨.18일 매일신문사 홈페이지 오피니언 코너에 한 통의 메일이 날아들었다. 일본 홋카이도 삿포로 근처에 산다는 은헌기 씨(67. 일본명 타카히 사토시. 高陽 憲基)가 보낸 편지였다. 은 씨는 1955년에 수성국민학교에 입학했다고 했다. 그 때 은 씨는 고아원생이었다. 자기를 잘 보살펴 준 남매를 찾고 싶다는 사연을 전했다. 자신의 삶에 있어 한 가닥 힘과 용기가 되어준 그 남매의 한 마디를 잊지 못한다는 말도 함께였다. 은 씨는 다음날인 19일 직접 전화를 걸어 사연을 전해달라는 부탁을 직접 했다. 국가조찬기도회 해외 내빈 자격으로 다음달 5일 한국을 방문하는 길에 대구에 들르겠다는 은 씨의 사연을 전한다.
--------------------
안녕하세요. 이곳 일본 북해도는 눈이 많이도 내리고 있습니다. 한국의 대구의 날씨는 어떠한지요. 60년 전 저는 대구에서 국민학교를 다녔습니다. 아마 지금의 대구는 그때의 모습은 없을것입니다. 이국에서 오래 살면서 삶의 뒤안길을 되돌아 보고 싶어지는것은 아마 나이가 든 탓일 겁니다. 이 가운데 제 기억에서 지울 수 없는 국민학교 시절의 친구을 꼭 찾아보고 싶어서 이렇게 편지와 함께 불편한 부탁의 말씀을 드리고자 합니다. 바쁘신 업무가운데 좋은 징검다리을 놓아 주시면 감사하겠습니다.
제가 사는 곳은 일본 북해도 삿포로 공항에서 가까운, 인구 460명의 팔래트 언덕(Pallete Village)이라는 이름을 가진 아름다운 마을입니다. 저는 여기서 넒은 풀밭 가운데 무지개 같은 알록달록한 목장을 갖고 땀흘려 일하고 있습니다. 저는 언제인가 젖소들이 뛰노는 낙농공원목장과 정성들여 짜모은 하얀우유로 치즈를 만들며 목장 한 복판에 아담한 마을교회를 지어 신앙 안에서 돕고 살아가는 사회교육장소로 개방하고 싶은 마음을 갖고 있습니다.
저는 한국전쟁 후 대구 봉덕동에 있었던 대성어린이집(대성고아원, 대성원)에서 자랐습니다. 철조망 울타리 안에서 오갈데가 없는 아이들이 모여 사는 작은 집이었습니다. 저의 기억에는 이런 게 아직 남아 있습니다.
'고아원 시설은 많은 것이 부족하였습니다. 먹을 것과 입을 것, 집도 방도 부족합니다. 큰 방에 50명 정도가 몇명씩 짝을지어 두 장의 담요를 가지고 차운 마루바닥에 한 장은 깔고, 한 장은 덮고서 방 한가운데 있는 자그만한 장작난로 열기에 의지한 채 추위를 견뎌야 했습니다. 어느날 새벽 주위가 웅성거렸습니다. 건너 편에 자고 있던 작은 아이가 간밤에 죽었습니다. 어제 낮 양지쪽에서 쭈그리고 않아 무엇인가 나무가지로 그림을 그리고 있었습니다. 무엇을 그렸을까요. 보고 싶은 엄마의 얼굴, 어린 여자 동생이 걱정이 되어 그리고는 또 그리고 지운 그림들이 아니었을까요.'
이러한 기억들을 저는 소중히 간직하고 있습니다. 대성원에서 수성국민학교(1955년 4월 입학)로 가는 길은 언제나 즐거운 길이면서도 가기 싫은 길이였습니다. 언제나 책도 연필도 공책도 모자란 채로 학교에 가서는 멍하니 앉았다 되돌아 오곤 했습니다. 학교 오가는 길에 어쩌다 공사장에서 주은 시멘트포대 종이를 작게 잘라 실로 꿰매면 저의 공책이 되기도 했습니다.
4학년 5반이었던 것으로 기억을 합니다. 4학년 때부터 남녀 구분을 지었지만 이 반은 학급을 만들고 남은 남자아이들과 여자아이들이 함께한 반이었습니다. 이 반에는 누나와 남동생이 함께 한 남매가 있었습니다. 기억이 희미합니다만 누나가 '윤O희'이며 동생이 '윤O웅'이었습니다. 가운데 이름이 기억이 나지 않습니다. 누나는 둥근 얼굴에 눈이 커다라며 동생은 얼굴이 삐쭉한 키가 커다란 아이였습니다.
언제부터인지 저의 책상 밑에는 누구가 가져다 두었는지 자그만한 꽁보리밥 도시락이 놓여 있었습니다. 언제나 점심시간이며 밖으로 나가 찬물을 한 배 가득히 마시고 들어오는 저의 모습을 보아온 친구 가족들의 고맙고 따스한 정성이 함께 담긴 도시락이었습니다. 어느날 고마우면서도 고맙다는 말을 하지 못하고 부끄러워하며 슬며시 자리를 비운 저의 책상 밑 빈도시락을 몰래 가져가는 이 누나의 뒷모습을 보게 되었습니다. 그동안 저에게 자기의 일을 숨기면서 저를 가만히 지켜본 그 눈길은 고마운 정이 가득히 담긴 맑은 작은 옹달샘과 같았습니다.
학교에서 집으로 돌아 가는 길은 저와 남매 셋이었습니다. 셋이서 걷고 뛰고 깔깔거리며 앞서고 뒤서면서 용두방천 징검다리를 건너 효성여자대학 길목에서 헤어지곤 했습니다. 헤어지게 되면 언덕을 넘어 걸어 가는 둘이의 뒷모습을 우둑커니 보다가 저의 갈 길을 걷곤 하였습니다.
여름 방학이 시작될 때였습니다. 학교에서 가정으로 보내는 통신부를 받았습니다. 이 봉투는 아이들이 볼수 없도록 풀로 단단히 발라져 있었습니다. 이날은 셋이서 용두방천 흐르는 물 가운데의 돌 위에 걸터앉아 발로 물장구를 치면서 누구가 먼저 통신부 열어보자라고 제의를 했습니다. 그리고 누나는 저의 통신부를 가만히 보면서 "헌기 너는 공부를 많이 해야해"라는 잔잔한 목소리로 말하여 준 기억이 납니다.
이후 저는 미국 메노나이트 교회 선교재단이 지원, 운영하는 메노나이트 직업학교에서 중고등학교 과정의 기술교육을 받게 되었습니다. 참으로 고마운 일들이었습니다.
이제 60년이라는 긴 세월이 흘렀습니다. 이 많은 세월가운데 지금은 이국에서 국적도 이름도 바뀐 사람으로서 자기의 길을 조용조용 걸으면서 인생을 정리할 시기를 맞이하였습니다. 그래서 저는 아이들에게 언제나 우리가 가진 재산이나 지식, 기술, 사회적인 활동은 필요한 사람들에게 사용되어져야 하는 도구다. 언제인가 이 모든 도구들을 다음 사람들이 잘 사용할수 있도록 정리하고 다듬어 두면서 이 모든것들을 선한 일에 사용할수 있어야 한다는 이야기를 하고 있습니다,
저는 3월 5일부터 10일까지 한국을 방문합니다. 대한민국조찬기도회에 해외내빈으로 초대를 받았습니다. 이 기간에 대구를 방문하려 합니다. 이 때 매일신문사에 들려 국민학교 때 도시락을 가만히 책상밑에 두어준 친구 이야기를 전해 드리고 싶습니다. 그리고 혹시라도 그 친구들을 만나게 되면 이제 손자, 손녀를 본 활머니와 활아버지들이겠지만 좋은 식사라도 대접하면서 못한 고마운 인사를 부끄러워 하지 아니하고 자랑스럽게 하고 싶습니다.
'헌기 너 공부 열심히 해야해.' 그 말의 뜻이 여기 맑은 물이 흘러가듯이 너의 인생이 진실되고 힘차게 살아가야 한다는 뜻이었다는것을 이제야 겨우 알 것 같습니다. 저는 그 누나가 이야기 한대로 연세대학교 총장상, 일본 문수상상은 물론 각종 자격증과 여러 곳으로부터 감사장 등을 받았습니다. 그걸 자랑스럽게 보여주고 싶습니다. 아마 그 누나는 "헌기 너 정말 잘 했네"라고 좋아 할 것입니다.
저는 많은 분들에게 많은 사랑의 빚을 진 작은 사람에 불과합니다. 가능하시다면 그 옛날 국민학교 시절에 배고파 하는 저에게 도시락을 몰래 책상밑에 가져다준 마음씨 고왔던 친구를 만날수 있도록 징검다리를 놓아주시기를 바랍니다.
감사합니다.
2014년 2월 18일. 은헌기 드림.
------------
酪農家訪問 周囲と家族に支えられて日本で始めた酪農経営 高陽憲基さん・鐘律さん(北海道千歳市) [in Japanese]
Search this Article
Journal
- Dairy journal
- Dairy journal 63(11), 36-38, 2010-11酪農学園大学エクステンションセンター
北海道の韓国人を掘る雑誌『アリラン』
2013年12月21日
https://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/hokkaidoariran/diary/201312210000/
千歳市の韓国人酪農経営者を訪ねて
カテゴリ：カテゴリ未分類
昨日は田脇氏と千歳市新川の韓国人酪農経営者を再び訪ねた。殷 憲基こと高陽憲基氏だ。
現在３０町歩の牧草地を所有し、近く更に３０町歩を購入するという。乳牛は１１０頭、年間６１３トンの牛乳を生産、１頭当たり１０，６５０キロは近隣最高の生産力だとか。飼料用デントーコンの「千鳥撒き法」で、収穫２割増産を実現して一躍有名に。
夫婦と次男夫婦の４人で仕事をこなすという働き者の一家だ。（長男は大阪で牧師）。２度見学したが見るにつけ聞くにつけ、プロテスタント信仰者としての敬虔な祈りそのものの労働と生活態度に全く脱帽した。爪の垢を飲んでも私にはとても及ばない世界観だ。さて私は何をする人？。人のことに驚いてばかりはいられないんだ。これからでもいろいろやる人にならなければ。「でも今年はもう終わりだから来年からだ」とまあ、これでいいのかな。
-----------
-----------
ありがたい韓国の友人たち
掲載日：2014.09.26
https://asia.rakuno.org/article-497.html
ありがたい韓国の友人たち－人民日報海外版から-
当会前会長の安宅一夫名誉教授が韓国人民日報海外版で紹介されました。
千歳の韓国人酪農家高陽憲基氏に翻訳いただいたものを合わせてPDFデーダで紹介します。
（見出し部分抜粋）
崔炳七先生に授与されたアジア酪農交流会の原田賞を安宅一夫さんが崔一信前総長に伝達する日本の元老学者から韓国の友人達を思い手紙が届いた。
日本酪農大学学長を務めた安宅一夫さんは40年前に韓京大学初代総長韓基碤教授と親密な縁が結ばれ家族のような親しい関係で両国の酪農発展に寄与された。
安宅さんは1997年酪農学園学長のとき韓京大学と姉妹縁結により敦厚な交流が続くなか、友人の仲間達の暖かい人情に感謝の気持ちを表している。
日本の右経化で韓日間の対立の淵は深くなる今のとき韓国の友人たちの親切を覚えられた元老学者から頂いた便りを掲載し両国間の和解の追い風が吹かれるよう期待する。 ＜編集者註〉 詳細はこちらから閲覧することができます。⇒ 韓国人民日報海外版紹介記事
----------
https://asia.rakuno.org/article-497.html
ありがたい韓国の友人たち－人民日報海外版から-
当会前会長の安宅一夫名誉教授が韓国人民日報海外版で紹介されました。
千歳の韓国人酪農家高陽憲基氏に翻訳いただいたものを合わせてPDFデーダで紹介します。
（見出し部分抜粋）
崔炳七先生に授与されたアジア酪農交流会の原田賞を安宅一夫さんが崔一信前総長に伝達する日本の元老学者から韓国の友人達を思い手紙が届いた。
日本酪農大学学長を務めた安宅一夫さんは40年前に韓京大学初代総長韓基碤教授と親密な縁が結ばれ家族のような親しい関係で両国の酪農発展に寄与された。
安宅さんは1997年酪農学園学長のとき韓京大学と姉妹縁結により敦厚な交流が続くなか、友人の仲間達の暖かい人情に感謝の気持ちを表している。
日本の右経化で韓日間の対立の淵は深くなる今のとき韓国の友人たちの親切を覚えられた元老学者から頂いた便りを掲載し両国間の和解の追い風が吹かれるよう期待する。 ＜編集者註〉 詳細はこちらから閲覧することができます。⇒ 韓国人民日報海外版紹介記事
Home > 현장 속으로 > 나만의 경영
http://www.upsun.net/?act=board&bbs_code=myself&page=40&bbs_mode=view&bbs_seq=58551
제목
[현장속으로] 한국출신, 치토세(千歳)의 낙농가・타카히(高陽)씨. .덴트콘 증수법으로 비용 절감을 모색
등록일 14-05-22
치토세(千歳)시내 신카와(新川)에서 낙농업을 경영하는 한국 출신인 타카히 사토시(高陽 憲基. 한국명 은헌기)씨(66) 일가가 의욕적으로 낙농 경영에 열을 올리고 있다. 전국 각지의 농장에서 농업 엔지니어로 근무하다, 약25년 전에 일본의 농업의 기초를 배운 치토세(千歲)에 취농 한지 7년. 수입사료 가격의 앙등이나 환태평양 경제 동반자 협정(TPP)등으로 낙농업의 장래가 불투명한 가운데, 사료인 덴트 콘(dent corn)의 다양한 재배법에 도전하여, 비용 절감을 모색하고 있다.
타카히(高陽)씨는, 낙농가로서의 지식을 깊게 하기 위하여 1987년, 연수생으로 방일. 치토세(千歲) 시내의 목장에서 반년 간, 기초를 배운 후, 낙농학원대학 단기대학부(에베쓰(江別))에 진학하였다. 그 후, 홋카이도(北海道)농업개발공사에서의 연수를 거쳐, 목장 경영 등을 어드바이스하는 농업 엔지니어로서 처자와 함께 전국 각지의 목장 등에서 일해 왔다.
「처음 연수 왔을 때에는, 빨리 한국에 돌아가는 것만 생각하고 있었는데」라는 타카히(高陽)씨. 95년에는 일본 국적을 취득하였고, 「이런저런 만남을 거듭하는 동안에 돌아갈 수 없게 되어버렸다」라고 웃는다. 2007년, 시내 신카와(新川)의 폐업한 목장을 연수생 시대의 지인의 권유로 양도받고, 염원이었던 자신의 목장을 치토세(千歲)에 개업했다.
현재는, 타카히(高陽)씨 부부와 차남인 鐘律씨(34) 부부 4명이 소 100마리를 사육하는 한편, 약30ha의 밭에서 목초와 덴트 콘(dent corn)을 재배하고 있다. 7년째를 맞이해 궤도에 오르기 시작하였으며, 사료가격 앙등이나 TPP의 영향을 주시하면서 최근은, 다양한 시도도 하고 있다.
작년은 낙농학원대학의 협력을 얻어, 도내의 농장에서는 처음인 덴트 콘(dent corn)의 미국식 재배법에 도전하여, 약20%의 수확량 증대라는 좋은 결과를 얻었다. 올해는 한 걸음 더 나아가 재배 과정에서, 성장을 촉진하는 효소제를 토양이나 잎에 살포하는, 새로운 수법을 시도하고 있다. 덴트 콘(dent corn)에 효소제를 사용하는 재배는 생소하다고 여겨지나, 타카히(高陽)씨는 「실험을 성공시켜, 지역 낙농업의 활성화에 도움이 될 수 있으면」하며 의지를 보이고 있다.
http://www.upsun.net/?act=board&bbs_code=myself&page=40&bbs_mode=view&bbs_seq=58551
제목
[현장속으로] 한국출신, 치토세(千歳)의 낙농가・타카히(高陽)씨. .덴트콘 증수법으로 비용 절감을 모색
등록일 14-05-22
치토세(千歳)시내 신카와(新川)에서 낙농업을 경영하는 한국 출신인 타카히 사토시(高陽 憲基. 한국명 은헌기)씨(66) 일가가 의욕적으로 낙농 경영에 열을 올리고 있다. 전국 각지의 농장에서 농업 엔지니어로 근무하다, 약25년 전에 일본의 농업의 기초를 배운 치토세(千歲)에 취농 한지 7년. 수입사료 가격의 앙등이나 환태평양 경제 동반자 협정(TPP)등으로 낙농업의 장래가 불투명한 가운데, 사료인 덴트 콘(dent corn)의 다양한 재배법에 도전하여, 비용 절감을 모색하고 있다.
타카히(高陽)씨는, 낙농가로서의 지식을 깊게 하기 위하여 1987년, 연수생으로 방일. 치토세(千歲) 시내의 목장에서 반년 간, 기초를 배운 후, 낙농학원대학 단기대학부(에베쓰(江別))에 진학하였다. 그 후, 홋카이도(北海道)농업개발공사에서의 연수를 거쳐, 목장 경영 등을 어드바이스하는 농업 엔지니어로서 처자와 함께 전국 각지의 목장 등에서 일해 왔다.
「처음 연수 왔을 때에는, 빨리 한국에 돌아가는 것만 생각하고 있었는데」라는 타카히(高陽)씨. 95년에는 일본 국적을 취득하였고, 「이런저런 만남을 거듭하는 동안에 돌아갈 수 없게 되어버렸다」라고 웃는다. 2007년, 시내 신카와(新川)의 폐업한 목장을 연수생 시대의 지인의 권유로 양도받고, 염원이었던 자신의 목장을 치토세(千歲)에 개업했다.
현재는, 타카히(高陽)씨 부부와 차남인 鐘律씨(34) 부부 4명이 소 100마리를 사육하는 한편, 약30ha의 밭에서 목초와 덴트 콘(dent corn)을 재배하고 있다. 7년째를 맞이해 궤도에 오르기 시작하였으며, 사료가격 앙등이나 TPP의 영향을 주시하면서 최근은, 다양한 시도도 하고 있다.
작년은 낙농학원대학의 협력을 얻어, 도내의 농장에서는 처음인 덴트 콘(dent corn)의 미국식 재배법에 도전하여, 약20%의 수확량 증대라는 좋은 결과를 얻었다. 올해는 한 걸음 더 나아가 재배 과정에서, 성장을 촉진하는 효소제를 토양이나 잎에 살포하는, 새로운 수법을 시도하고 있다. 덴트 콘(dent corn)에 효소제를 사용하는 재배는 생소하다고 여겨지나, 타카히(高陽)씨는 「실험을 성공시켜, 지역 낙농업의 활성화에 도움이 될 수 있으면」하며 의지를 보이고 있다.
저의 이야기
저는 일본 북해도 삿포로 공항 가까운 농촌에서 신앙의 가족들과 함께 Mennonite
Dairy Farm을 경영하고 있습니다.
Dairy Farm을 경영하고 있습니다.
저의 고향은 한국 경북 군위군이며, 이곳에서 저의 삶이 시작되어 지금까지 주님의 인도와 보호하심 안에서 세상의 길을 걸어 왔습니다.
저의 활아버님은 이씨조선시대에 과거글을 공부하시다 낙향 하시어 한방치료와 서당글 을 가르치시고 농사일에 전념 하시면서 어려워하는 마을사람들과 삶을 함께 하시었습니다. 아침이면 뒷동산에 올라 초가마을 지붕 굴뚝에 연기가 오르지 않는 집을 보시곤하면 며누리에게 아가, 저 건너집 아무네집에 이것이라도 가져다 주어라 라고 하시면서 무엇인가 먹을것을 바가지에 담아 주셨다고 합니다. 유교에 강한 집념을 가지신 분으로 세상을 완고하게 그러면서 너그럽게 사시려고 무척이나 애를 쓰셨다고 합니다. 이러한 평화스런 마을에 일본식민지시대 라고 하는 강하고 거센 바람이 불어 오면서 마음의 평안과 평화를 뺏앗겨 잃어 버린체 사람들의 마음은 더욱 아파해야 하고 육신의 고통은 더욱 심하여지면서 마음과 정신은 혼돈하여 갈피를 잡지 못하였습니다. 이 가운데 활아버님은 마을에 첫 기독교인이 되시어 이제는 주님의 말씀으로 위로와 평안을 가지고 살도록 다독 거리고 쓰다듬으면서 마을 일들을 돌보셨다고 합니다.
그러나 교회의 철거와 예배금지, 신자들의 투옥으로 인한 큰 아버님은 대구형무소에 수감되시고, 아버님은 일본탄광으로 가시고, 활아버님은 김천 광천산골로 피신하시어 작은 초가교회를 손수 지어서 전도의 일에 힘쓰셨다고 합니다. 이 기록은 성결교회기록에서 확인 되었으며 교회에서 활아버님의 후손들을 찿는 수고에 저희들과 연락이 되었습니다.
이후 아버님은 고향으로 돌아오시어서 청년군사훈련장을 하시면서 한국전쟁에 군무원으로 참가하신후 돌아가시었습니다.
집안에는 어린 아이와 여자만이 남아 생계를 이어갈수 없는 어려움을 견딜수가 없어 저의 어머님은 어린아이들을 고아원에 마끼게 되었습니다.
이곳에서 국민학교을 졸업한후 중학교를 진학하지 못할때 미국 MCC에서 한국전쟁고아들을 위한
Mennonite Vocational School(1951-1971)을 건립하여 한국전역 고아원에서 매년 30명을 모집한 중고등학교(180명)을 지극히 작은 자에게 한것이 곧 나에게 한것이라는 주님의 말씀과 사랑으로 운영하였습니다. 이곳에서 졸업한 530명의 학생들은 주님을 떠나지 않는 사회인으로써 대학총장, 외교관, 군지휘관, 대학교수, 교사, 기업인, 목사, 선교사, 자영업,기업의간부, 사회사업, 농장주등으로써 국내와 외국에서 주님과 함께 하는 선한 삶을 살고있습니다.
Mennonite Vocational School(1951-1971)을 건립하여 한국전역 고아원에서 매년 30명을 모집한 중고등학교(180명)을 지극히 작은 자에게 한것이 곧 나에게 한것이라는 주님의 말씀과 사랑으로 운영하였습니다. 이곳에서 졸업한 530명의 학생들은 주님을 떠나지 않는 사회인으로써 대학총장, 외교관, 군지휘관, 대학교수, 교사, 기업인, 목사, 선교사, 자영업,기업의간부, 사회사업, 농장주등으로써 국내와 외국에서 주님과 함께 하는 선한 삶을 살고있습니다.
이러한 MVS의 아름다운 동산을 떠나야하는 졸업식을 맞이하였습니다. 학교에서는 한 학생 한 학생에게 몸에 맞도록 양복을 고쳐 입히고 넥타이를 곱게 맨 단정한 모습으로 졸업식장 에서 새롭게 주님께 의지하는 신앙과 용기를 가지게 하면서 힘찬 걸음으로 이 학교를 떠날수 있도록 하였습니다.
이제부터는 자기와 사회라는 부닥침이 시작되었습니다. 하지만 찿아가는 곳과 부닥치는 곳은 모두가 냉담 하였습니다. “ 그래, 고아시설의 학교, 누구룰 믿고서 …..”라는 믿을수 없다고 합니다. 하지만 비록 자기에게 어렵더라도 주어진 기회에 잘 참으면서 선배나 후배들은 하나 둘씩 자기의 작은 삶의 새로운 둥지를 만들기 시작하였습니다. 그리고는 서로가 당기고 밀면서 형님과 동생으로써 사회에 적응 하기 위한 일들을 시작 하였습니다.
- 1967년 학교를 졸업한후 1986년까지 많은 어려움을 견디면서 군생활, 회사생활 가운데 연세대학농업개발원에서 낙농과를 졸업한후
- 미래의 자립의 꿈을 안고서 일본 북해도 낙농목장에 농업연수를 위하여 올수 있는 기회를 얻게 되었습니다.
- 주님은 놀라웁게도 그리스도신앙인 목장에 저를 인도 하여 주시어서 낙농학교, 수정란 이식연구소, 이스라엘, 미국,카나다에서 낙농연수의 기회를 열어주시고
- 놀라웁게도 농업기술자의 비자를 인정받아 일본내 대형목장의 목장장으로 20년간 근무하는 동안 아이들이 자라 신학대학과 수의대학을 진학하게 되었습니다.
장남은 지금 일본인 교회에 목회일을 하고 있으며, 이 모습을 돌아 가신 어른 들이 보시며 어떻게 말씀하실까 하고 늘 생각합니다. 하나님의 나라는 전쟁과 재해와 인권박해와 탄압, 가난과 질병등의 가운데서 오랫동안 평화를 만들어 가는 나라이며, 이 일이 이 땅에서 이루어질것을 소망 하시면서 그래 잘 했어, 일본사람들에게 주님의 참 진실의 말씀을 알게 하여 생활 하도록 해야겠지. 이것의 세계평화에 크나큰 일을 하게 되느것이야 라고 말씀 하실것입니다.
작은 아이는 수의학에서 낙농학을 변경하여 지금의 목장을 가족과 더불어 시작하여 선한 기업의 목장을 만들어 가려고 느리지만 작게나마 기도중 준비에 열심을 다하고 있습니다. 우리는 언제나 현실에서 살고 있지만 다음사람들이 사는 세상을 아름답게 깨끗하게 만들어 가야 하는 책임안에서 살아야 하는 주님의 말씀에 모든 삶을 두고 살아야 한다고 생각합니다.
------------
저희네 목장이름은 Mennonite Dairy Farm입니다. 한국에서 메노나이트분들이 전쟁고아들을 위하여 세운 작은 학교시절의 고마움과 은혜를 잊지 못하여 길가에 우뚝하게 메노나이트의 이름을 세워 두었습니다. 여기에 마음을 두는것은 목장을 우뚝하게 세우는것이 아니라 메노나이트의 봉사와 평화의 마음과 실천을 우뚝하게 세워가며 생활에서 실천하여 그냥 받은 은혜를 다시 사회에 되 돌려 줄수 있는 삶을 살려고 하는 바램이며 이 일이 다음세대와 사람들이 수고와 인내속에서 계속하여 갈것을 부탁하고 마끼고서 매일 매일 가까워져 오는 하나님 나라에 되돌아 가려고 합니다.
저희네 작은 생각은 Mennonite Dairy Farm, Menno Dairy Park, Menno milk and cheese plant, Menno Rural Mission Church. Menno Dairy School(메노나이트 낙농연수숙) 을 함께 운영하려고 합니다.
이 가운데 공원과 유가공, 농촌교회, 낙농연수塾을 장래적으로 종교법인으로 통합하여 선교와 사회교육, 그리고 유가공사업의 일부 이익을 필요로 하는 여러곳에 작게나마 나누어가지는, 저가 어려서 받은 메노나이트분들의 봉사와 평화에 일에 참가하려고 합니다. 이 일들을 다음 사람들 그리고 저희네 가족의 다음세대들이 믿음 안에서 실천할수 있도록 부탁하면서 선한 일터의 유산을 만들어 물려 주려고 합니다. 이곳에 선한 사람들이 함께 일하면서 교회(주님)를 중심으로 서로가 도웁고 위로하면서 신앙의 공동체의 한사람으로써 이 땅에서 선한 일을 하는 일꾼으로 살아가게 되기를 바랍니다.
이 마을에는 인구가 420명의 넓은 농촌지역입니다. 70세이상의 고령자가 120명이며 국민학교 중학교 학생이 35명, 유치원아이가 20여명입니다. 일할수 있는 젊은이는 100여명정도 이며, 절이 3곳이 있어 지역의 모든 생활과 문화는 불교의 영향을 많이도 받고 있습니다.
농촌의 개개 가정은 다음후계자를 잘 훈련 하며 기르고 있습니다. 이 땅을 떠나지 않은체 일할 사람들을 가르치고 기르고 있습니다. 이렇게 떠나지 않는 농업후계자들에게 개척선교는 놀라운 보물을 얻는것과 같아 저는 농촌은 선교의 보물이 가득히 담긴 곳이라고 생각하며 늘 기도 가운데 주님의 뜻을 기다리면서 준비를 하고 있습니다.
목장안 작은 교회를 메노나이트공부방을 운영하여, 농촌에서의 어린이들은 학교에서 돌아오며 집안일을 도웁기도 하지만 고립된 생활을 하고 있습니다. 이 어린이들을 교회로 불러 모아 하나님이 만드신,누구나 보고 들으면서 알수 있는 닫혀져 있는 교과서가 아닌 열려져 있는 자연의 교과서를 통하여 자연의 놀라움, 농업의 중요성그리고 주님의 사랑을 알려 주는 공부방을 마련하여 미래를 향한 선교의 일에 협조하여 줄것을 바라고 있습니다. 이 일은 많은 시간과 인내가 소요됩니다. 그러나 씨앗은 뿌리지만 기르시는 주님은 알찬 열매을 맺도록 길러 많은 열매를 맺도록 하실것입니다. 그리고 이 씨앗을 오늘 우리가 뿌리지 않으며 싹이 돋아 나지 않습니다. 틀림없이 시간이 지나면 믿음은 바라느것의 실상으로 보여 질것입니다.
30년전 일본북해도의 메노나이트교회는 20교회이상과 880명의 교회원이 있었지만 지금은 20교회이내의 교회수와 200여명의 교회원수로 매년 교회와 교회원수가 감소 되어 가고있으며 교회도 몇명의 가정교회로 바뀌어져 가고 있습니다. 각교회의 목사님도 일반교회에서 시무하든 목사님이 전근하여 메노나이트교회를 운영하고 있으므로 메노나이트신앙과 교리, 생활의 실천은 이제 찿아볼수 없는 일반화로 변묘해 가고 있습니다. 다행하게도 메노나이트 초창기선교에 메노나이트를 알게 된 원로의 80세와 90세이상의 교인분들이 아직 몇분이 계시기에 예배후 교류시간에 메노나이트에 관한 이야기를 조금 나눌수가 있습니다. 일본 북해도에서 메노나이트의 선교는 다시 시작되어야 하는 산업선교의 긴급한 시대를 맞이하게 된것입니다.
메노나이트선교단체에 협조를 부탁드리고 싶은것은 노동을 통한 선교의 협조자를 파견하여 주실것을 기도의 제목의 하나입니다.
저희네는 12만평의 농지와 100여마리의 젖소와 우사,창고, 기계류을 가추고 있으며, 올해 작은 아들의 가족이 5명이 되었기에 새로 주택을 신축하였습니다. 지금 거주하는 주택은 방이 4칸이 있으므로 이 건물을 硏修生塾으로 사용 하면서 메노나이트 마을 교회를 작은 식구들로 만이라도 시작 하려고 기도 드리고 있습니다.
저희들은 지금의 삶속에서 앞으로의 소망인 예배와 노동과 신앙생활의 삶에 대하여 메노나이트의 일을 더 체계적으로 만들어가고 싶습니다.
저희들의 연락처는 아래와 같습니다.언제나 어디서나 주님의 사랑과 평화가 함께 하시기를 기도를 드리겠습니다.
고맙습니다.
일본 북해도에서 高陽 憲基(Takahi Satoshi)
추신) 1. 저의 한국이름은 殷 憲基이며 일본국적을 얻을때 姓氏의 본관인 고양을 일본성과 이름인 高陽 憲基(Takahi Satoshi) 로 등록하여 지금 11명의 가족이 되었습니다.
2.
연락처
연락처
820-24, Nikawa,
Chidose-city, Hokkaido JAPAN #069-1184
Chidose-city, Hokkaido JAPAN #069-1184
Tel/Fax 81-123-21-3535
e-mail takahisatoshi@gmail.. Com
Facebook에서는takahisatoshi를 검색하시면 됩니다.
Testimonies
Eun Hunki: Choosing to follow the way of Jesus
Eun Hunki: Choosing to follow the way of Jesus
Renewal 2027 testimony:
Anabaptists today
Renewal 2027 is a 10-year series of events to commemorate the 500th anniversary
of the beginnings of the Anabaptist movement.
Renewal 2027 is a 10-year series of events to commemorate the 500th anniversary
of the beginnings of the Anabaptist movement.
This series highlights leaders in the
movement from history to the present.
movement from history to the present.
In this installment, KyongJung Kim, MWC
regional representative for Northeast Asia, reflects on his visit with Eun Hunki
(Takai Satoshi in Japanese), a Korean Mennonite farmer living in Japan.
regional representative for Northeast Asia, reflects on his visit with Eun Hunki
(Takai Satoshi in Japanese), a Korean Mennonite farmer living in Japan.
Eun Hunki’s Mennonite Dairy Farm is located 40 min from Hukuzumin Mennonite
Center, Hokkaido, Japan.
Eun is a 1960s graduate of Mennonite Vocational School in Kyungsan, South
Korea. When Mennonite Central Committee came to do relief work in South Korea
(r–l) after the Korean War, they set up a vocational school for orphan boys like Eun. The students learned not only academic knowledge but also Mennonite faith-based values, some of which were different from what Eun had learned before.
Center, Hokkaido, Japan.
Eun is a 1960s graduate of Mennonite Vocational School in Kyungsan, South
Korea. When Mennonite Central Committee came to do relief work in South Korea
(r–l) after the Korean War, they set up a vocational school for orphan boys like Eun. The students learned not only academic knowledge but also Mennonite faith-based values, some of which were different from what Eun had learned before.
[photo]
MWC regional representative KyongJung Kim visits Korean Mennonite farmer Eun Hunki, his wife,
Sangrok Yang, and son, Jongrul Eun, on their dairy farm in Japan. Photo courtesy KyongJung Kim.
Sangrok Yang, and son, Jongrul Eun, on their dairy farm in Japan. Photo courtesy KyongJung Kim.
His life was not easy, but he never failed to carry the spirit of Jesus that the
Mennonites taught him through his vocational school years in 1950–60s. After
graduation, he studied dairy farming and finally moved to Hokkaido, Japan, to live
with his family.
After many years of hard work, Eun established a Mennonite Dairy Farm in
Hokkaido 2007. His farm signboard says: “In memory of Mennonite Christians
serving in the name of Christ at the Mennonite Vocational School in Korea 1951–
1971”
He hopes his life and work contribute to the kingdom of God.
Eun’s life journey took him into a foreign land to make a new home. (Many Koreans
experienced Japanese colonial rule of Korea 1910–1945 as harsh and oppressive.)
For Eun, reconciliation is an ongoing process for him; he is choosing to follow the
way of Jesus even in a what might be called an enemy country. He is an example
of how a victim can be transformed to produce fruit of the Spirit that is beneficial for
all in God’s kingdom.
Eun’s life journey took him into a foreign land to make a new home. (Many Koreans
experienced Japanese colonial rule of Korea 1910–1945 as harsh and oppressive.)
For Eun, reconciliation is an ongoing process for him; he is choosing to follow the
way of Jesus even in a what might be called an enemy country. He is an example
of how a victim can be transformed to produce fruit of the Spirit that is beneficial for
all in God’s kingdom.
The relationships offered by MWC and networking with national member churches
are valuable to Eun. He is interested in having Mennonite workers come to serve
and learn together at his farm in Hokkaido.
“The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the
harvest to send out labourers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37–38).
As Eun cultivates his vision to participate in God’s mission alongside Anabaptist
churches in Japan, may his work and life also become a catalytic source for
Japanese churches to grow.
are valuable to Eun. He is interested in having Mennonite workers come to serve
and learn together at his farm in Hokkaido.
“The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the
harvest to send out labourers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37–38).
As Eun cultivates his vision to participate in God’s mission alongside Anabaptist
churches in Japan, may his work and life also become a catalytic source for
Japanese churches to grow.
—KyongJung Kim is MWC regional representative for Northeast Asia. He visited
the Anabaptist churches across Japan (Japan Mennonite Brethren Conference,
Nihon Kirisuto Keiteidan*, Nihon Menonaito Kirisuto Kyokai Kaigi*, Nihon
Menonaito Kirisuto Kyokai Kyogikai *, Tokyo Chiku Menonaito Kyokai Rengo*
[asterisk denotes MWC membership) in 2016.
the Anabaptist churches across Japan (Japan Mennonite Brethren Conference,
Nihon Kirisuto Keiteidan*, Nihon Menonaito Kirisuto Kyokai Kaigi*, Nihon
Menonaito Kirisuto Kyokai Kyogikai *, Tokyo Chiku Menonaito Kyokai Rengo*
[asterisk denotes MWC membership) in 2016.
---------------------
Newsletter Mennonite Historical Society of Alberta
Volume XVII Number 3 October 2014
Takahi, Satoshi (Korean name – Eun Hyun Gee) (Born December 9, 1947) Written by Rita Dahl Just over a year ago, I received an e-mail from Ruth Neufeld who was working at the front desk at the MCC office in Calgary, saying she had been contacted by a Brad Kipfer who was looking for a Mrs. Rita Dahl whose address was, at one time, 3031 Beil Avenue, Calgary. The reason for this inquiry was that, while Mr. Kipfer had been serving as an MCC volunteer in Japan, he had met a dairy farmer who had been a war orphan in Daegu, Korea in the 1950s. Takahi (last name) Satoshi (first name) had told Brad that, while he had been at the Mennonite Vocational School (MVS) near Daegu, he had received a letter from me that had meant so much to him and he wanted to thank me. He said that he had recently found my name and address in his diary from that time, although the letter itself had been lost in one of his many moves. The letter to which he was referring must have been sent in (Continued on page 4)
about 1965 when he was 17 years old – about 50 years ago. Satoshi wondered whether I was still alive, and if so, whether I would like to hear from him. All of this happened because, at the time this letter was written, our ladies group, Helping Hands Women in Mission, was supporting, financially, an orphanage and school that MCC had created in Korea after the Korean War. Every month our collection money had been forwarded to MCC in support of this effort. In order to try to establish a personal contact, MCC would give us the name of the orphans and some of us would take turns writing to them. It must have been one of these letters that Satoshi received from me. I have absolutely no recollection of what I might have said in that letter. I do vaguely remember that I tended to put off writing these letters because I had a great deal of difficulty thinking of something meaningful to say to someone I had never seen, someone whose circumstances I really did not understand and someone whom I never expected to meet. When I responded, Satoshi seemed very excited to hear from me and he wrote (as translated), “God made it possible for us to learn about each other’s welfare in the course of this life on earth, and I am overflowing with joy! If you were close by I would come and visit you immediately, but instead I will use a letter to express my thanks for the warm kindness you showed to me in Christ’s love”. Then he wrote that twenty-seven years ago, his family left Korea and moved to Japan. He and his son run a dairy farm in the province of Hokkaido which is on the most northern island of Japan. Then he wrote, “The letters and the lovely cards I received as a student made me, who felt lonely and alone, very happy. One way to express it might be to say it was like coming near and feeling the warmth of a stove when it’s cold. Those small words of encouragement always gave me great courage. Small things done with God’s love are always accompanied by great blessings. God taught me that anyone, anywhere, can do small acts of love for others. As I am unable to forget the love shown to me by Mennonites, I have named my farm “MENNOnite DAIRY FARM.” On the upper part of the sign is written, in English, “In memory of Mennonite Christians serving in the name of Christ in the Mennonite Vocational School in Korea 1951 – 1971”. I learned that, while he was a student at Mennonite Vocational School (MVS), MCC had sent 20 dairy cows from the U.S. to the school to be used
both for teaching and to provide milk for the students. The school ran an agricultural program, both to educate the students and to provide produce to help sustain them. Students were required to help in the various activities on the farm and in doing so they both supported the institution and they learned. Satoshi became interested in the dairy and asked if he could help with the milking. This initial interest and a great deal of study and even more hard work eventually made it possible for him to own a dairy of his own. He says that to become the owner of his own dairy, he has had to overcome many obstacles but God has always made it possible for him to move forward and to persevere if he made the required sacrifices. It seems that because someone recognized Satoshi’s ability and his willingness to make the required effort to succeed, he was given the opportunity for further study after he left MVS. He has become an expert in artificial insemination of cattle and he has been invited to lecture on the subject in places like Australia, Washington, and Israel.
He sent us the following list of his credentials which include diplomas, awards and certificates: 1967 -- Mennonite Vocational Secondary School Graduate in Agricultural Development 1967 -- Employed at Canaan Christian Institute as a farm manager 1974 -- Employed at Coca-Cola Korea (MIT) for 10 years 1986 -- Graduate of Yonsei University Institute of Agricultural Development 1986 -- Trained at Kurosawa Dairy Farm in Hokkaido, Japan 1986 -- Trained at Japanese Agricultural Development Co. for AI, ET, training & raising cows 1988 -- Graduate of Rakuno Gakuen College in Japan 1989 -- Trained at Japanese ChuOu farm for ET, milk cow and beef management 1991 -- Employed at Ebisia dairy farm as a farm manager 1996 -- Trained at Israeli agricultural development by invitation of I.C.B.A 1998 -- Employed at B*C Farm in Washington, US and Melbourne, Australia as technical manager 2000 -- Employed at JI* Dakeda Dairy Farm (1000 cows) as a technical manager. 2007 -- Currently operating a family dairy farm (MENNOnite DAIRY FARM) 1985 -- License to commence artificial insemination (livestock) in Korea 1986 -- Award from the headmaster of Yonsei University 1988 -- Award from the Rakuno Gakuen College department head of Agricultural Development 1988 -- Award from the Japanese education department 1990 -- License to commence artificial insemination and embryo transplant (livestock) in Japan 1991 -- Award of thanks from Morinaga Milk Industry Co. Ltd. 1993 -- Award of thanks from Osaka Dairy and Agricultural Union. Satoshi has nothing but the highest praise for MCC and what the organization has done for him and for what it did in Korea while he was there. In 2012, the graduates of MVS organized a reunion of alumni and former staff and workers at the school and other MCC relief efforts in Korea after the War. The event was covered and promoted by a Christian Korean television station, broadcasted by TV networks and written up in local newspapers. The alumni provided the former teachers and workers with free transportation to Korea so they could be part of the celebration. As part of this reunion, the alumni, together with former teachers and staff, published a 132 page book about the “Relief and Educational Missionary Work in Korea, 1951 to 1971.” Satoshi wrote, “In current society – sixty years after the Second World War – that service is being forgotten and this was a chance to remind people again. I thank God that I was able to participate as an MVS graduate and express my gratitude to everyone”. In another letter he wrote, “The graduates of MVS have not left the path of faith, no matter what kind of difficult social environments they have experienced. They continue to participate fully in society as pastors, college professors (including one president and one vice-president), teachers, industrialists, executives, army commanders, government workers, musicians, business owners, farmers, and more. They also continue to connect with each other through alumni gatherings and in other ways”. The book published for the alumni event provides details about life and work at the school and the many other programs of MCC in Korea during and after the war. It tells about a program for Korean widows in which MCC brought in sewing machines and gave sewing lessons to 150 women so they could have a skill with which to become self-sufficient. MCC supplied new and used clothing, blankets and all kinds of survival necessities and distributed over 5000 Christmas bundles every year. It established five feeding stations where up to a total of 8000 people were given a hot meal each day. Christian nurses staffed hospitals and orphanages and rescued many abandoned and starving infants. Our conversations continued by e-mail through the fall and the winter on a somewhat irregular basis, partly because letters both ways needed to be translated. Satoshi shared with us some of his plans and dreams. He would like to enlarge his dairy and then establish a cheese factory so he can use the milk produced on the farm to make cheese. Then he would like to build a local, rural, Mennonite church on his property. When that is going, he envisions creating a public park and opening his farm to schools and other groups for educational and recreational purposes. He has big plans. With his faith, his energy and his courage, I would not be surprised to see these things happen. For Christmas, I created a Christmas card for him and his family. In response he wrote: “Thank you for the Christmas card. I was very happy to get it. I wondered what you were thinking while you were making it and decorating it with those pretty leaves and bells. The card now stands by our Christmas tree in our entrance”. In one e-mail, Satoshi invited Ralph and me to visit him in Japan. Ten years ago, that would have been possible, but at this time, we feel that a trip like that is more than we can undertake; instead, we invited him and his wife to visit us in Calgary. By about Easter, he sent us his airline bookings – his wife would not be able to come, but he would be here for six days in July. He asked whether, while he was here, he could see a Mennonite dairy and a Mennonite cheese factory. He also said that while he was here, he would like to be treated as a friend and not as a guest. We were quite excited about his visit but, at the same time, we were apprehensive and began to wonder how this would evolve because he speaks virtually no English and we know not one word of Japanese. We became rather anxious when we thought of spending this time with someone with whom we couldn’t communicate. A few weeks before Satoshi arrived, we had an e-mail from Lydia, who lives near Red Deer and who is Korean. She offered to help with the translating when she could. She had never met Satoshi and knew him only through Facebook; that is how she knew about his forthcoming visit. She and her husband, Young, offered to come to the Calgary airport with us to meet Satoshi. It so happened that, because, Young was unemployed at that time, he volunteered to stay at our house and be our full-time interpreter. This was a huge help for us and relieved some of our anxiety. Young and Lydia have been in Canada eleven years and speak a very passable English. When Satoshi and we arrived at our home, Young told us that Satoshi wanted to thank us in the time-honoured Japanese fashion. This meant putting his hands together, then bowing right down to the floor in front of me and saying thank you in Korean. Then he did the same for Ralph. We were both honoured and humbled, not sure how to respond and feeling that we really didn’t deserve this kind of honour. That was the beginning of “getting to know you.” Until Satoshi actually arrived at our house, Ralph thought that he was just an interested observer and that this visit was really my concern. Now, however, he quickly became a full-time chauffeur and tour guide. The day after Satoshi arrived, Ralph took him and Young to a dairy farm that is close to our farm east of Didsbury. This excursion had been arranged a few weeks earlier. The owners gave them a detailed 2 ½ hour tour answering questions and explaining how they do things in Canada. Satoshi was very busy taking pictures and making notes. After lunch, they went to our farm and Ralph showed them where he grew up and where he went to school.
to get it. I wondered what you were thinking while you were making it and decorating it with those pretty leaves and bells. The card now stands by our Christmas tree in our entrance”. In one e-mail, Satoshi invited Ralph and me to visit him in Japan. Ten years ago, that would have been possible, but at this time, we feel that a trip like that is more than we can undertake; instead, we invited him and his wife to visit us in Calgary. By about Easter, he sent us his airline bookings – his wife would not be able to come, but he would be here for six days in July. He asked whether, while he was here, he could see a Mennonite dairy and a Mennonite cheese factory. He also said that while he was here, he would like to be treated as a friend and not as a guest. We were quite excited about his visit but, at the same time, we were apprehensive and began to wonder how this would evolve because he speaks virtually no English and we know not one word of Japanese. We became rather anxious when we thought of spending this time with someone with whom we couldn’t communicate. A few weeks before Satoshi arrived, we had an e-mail from Lydia, who lives near Red Deer and who is Korean. She offered to help with the translating when she could. She had never met Satoshi and knew him only through Facebook; that is how she knew about his forthcoming visit. She and her husband, Young, offered to come to the Calgary airport with us to meet Satoshi. It so happened that, because, Young was unemployed at that time, he volunteered to stay at our house and be our full-time interpreter. This was a huge help for us and relieved some of our anxiety. Young and Lydia have been in Canada eleven years and speak a very passable English. When Satoshi and we arrived at our home, Young told us that Satoshi wanted to thank us in the time-honoured Japanese fashion. This meant putting his hands together, then bowing right down to the floor in front of me and saying thank you in Korean. Then he did the same for Ralph. We were both honoured and humbled, not sure how to respond and feeling that we really didn’t deserve this kind of honour. That was the beginning of “getting to know you.” Until Satoshi actually arrived at our house, Ralph thought that he was just an interested observer and that this visit was really my concern. Now, however, he quickly became a full-time chauffeur and tour guide. The day after Satoshi arrived, Ralph took him and Young to a dairy farm that is close to our farm east of Didsbury. This excursion had been arranged a few weeks earlier. The owners gave them a detailed 2 ½ hour tour answering questions and explaining how they do things in Canada. Satoshi was very busy taking pictures and making notes. After lunch, they went to our farm and Ralph showed them where he grew up and where he went to school. The next day, Ralph took them to see the house in Calgary where we used to live when I wrote Satoshi the letter. That afternoon they went to the MCC office because we thought it was important that he meet some of the people who run the programs like the one that had helped him when he was in Korea. We had talked to the staff at the office to let them know about Satoshi before he came to Canada so they would be ready for the delegation when they met them in the board room for tea. There, Satoshi thanked MCC for what they had done and were doing, and he told them about his vision for a cheese factory and church and public park. He told them he was looking for a cheese maker for his farm and a pastor for the church he was hoping to build. Did they know of any such people? He asked and answered many questions, all of which was made possible by Young’s ability to translate. Without an interpreter, this would have been very different and not very useful. On two separate evenings, some of our friends invited us, Satoshi and Young to dinner in order to meet and get to know them. The conversation was in English so Young was busy interpreting for Satoshi who seemed to be very absorbed in trying to learn what he could about our Canadian way of life. After we came home from those visits, I would wake up well after midnight and hear Young and Satoshi downstairs in conversation and I thought it would be
interesting to know what their perceptions of us and our Canadian society were. Long before we got up, Satoshi was already up and writing in his note book. We thought we would like to show Satoshi some of Alberta beyond Calgary so, on Friday, Ralph took them to Banff. It was a cold and rainy day with low-hanging clouds that obscured the mountain tops but we did see what we could of Banff and Lake Minnewanka and we saw a black bear amble across the road in front of us. On Sunday we all went to church along with Young, Lydia and their boys. On the way there, I thought that in our church it would be appreciated if Satoshi were to thank them in German, so w e t a u g h t h i m t o s a y “Dankeschoen”. During the service, I introduced Satoshi, Young and Lydia, and Satoshi thanked the ladies of the Helping Hands in Korean, in English and in German. After the service, it was coffee time in the basement and Satoshi had his picture taken with the ladies of Helping Hands. He gave each of them a little cross on a chain. During the conversation, Satoshi wondered where he could get a big Canadian flag since, it seems, these are not easy to find. Herman Walde thought he knew where to get one. Early Monday morning before Satoshi left, Herman appeared with a big Canadian maple leaf suitable to run up the flagpole on a dairy farm in Japan! On Sunday night, we were invited to dinner at the house of our Korean friends who attend our church. At this gathering, everyone except Ralph and I spoke Korean so that was often the language of the conversation. Now, instead of Young translating for Satoshi, he was translating for us! Satoshi came with gifts for us and our children but we hadn’t really thought about gifts so when it was close to the time he was to leave, I said I would like to give him one of my paintings. He could choose any one of the many he saw on our walls. I thought he might choose something small because he had only a very small carry-on, but, instead, he chose a fairly good-sized painting of a typical Canadian wheat field with a blue Alberta sky. It was too big to fit in the carry-on space so the morning was spent rigging up a carrying case that he could take with him on the plane. Then he asked if he could have an English Bible so Ralph found several of various sizes, again thinking that that he had only a small suitcase, but he chose the big one. His little suitcase just got heavier. Now, I imagine, if one should visit Satoshi in Japan, one should expect to see an English Bible on the coffee table, a picture of a Canadian wheat field on the wall and a red maple leaf on the flagpole outside. We think Satoshi is an amazing person. We feel fortunate to have met him. We are impressed by his many achievements and his ability to persevere in spite of his circumstances. Now that he is no longer here, we can
Reflection on the Visit of Mr. Satoshi to the MCC Alberta Office By Abe Janzen
Takahi, Satoshi (Korean name – Eun Hyun Gee) (Born December 9, 1947) Written by Rita Dahl Just over a year ago, I received an e-mail from Ruth Neufeld who was working at the front desk at the MCC office in Calgary, saying she had been contacted by a Brad Kipfer who was looking for a Mrs. Rita Dahl whose address was, at one time, 3031 Beil Avenue, Calgary. The reason for this inquiry was that, while Mr. Kipfer had been serving as an MCC volunteer in Japan, he had met a dairy farmer who had been a war orphan in Daegu, Korea in the 1950s. Takahi (last name) Satoshi (first name) had told Brad that, while he had been at the Mennonite Vocational School (MVS) near Daegu, he had received a letter from me that had meant so much to him and he wanted to thank me. He said that he had recently found my name and address in his diary from that time, although the letter itself had been lost in one of his many moves. The letter to which he was referring must have been sent in (Continued on page 4)
about 1965 when he was 17 years old – about 50 years ago. Satoshi wondered whether I was still alive, and if so, whether I would like to hear from him. All of this happened because, at the time this letter was written, our ladies group, Helping Hands Women in Mission, was supporting, financially, an orphanage and school that MCC had created in Korea after the Korean War. Every month our collection money had been forwarded to MCC in support of this effort. In order to try to establish a personal contact, MCC would give us the name of the orphans and some of us would take turns writing to them. It must have been one of these letters that Satoshi received from me. I have absolutely no recollection of what I might have said in that letter. I do vaguely remember that I tended to put off writing these letters because I had a great deal of difficulty thinking of something meaningful to say to someone I had never seen, someone whose circumstances I really did not understand and someone whom I never expected to meet. When I responded, Satoshi seemed very excited to hear from me and he wrote (as translated), “God made it possible for us to learn about each other’s welfare in the course of this life on earth, and I am overflowing with joy! If you were close by I would come and visit you immediately, but instead I will use a letter to express my thanks for the warm kindness you showed to me in Christ’s love”. Then he wrote that twenty-seven years ago, his family left Korea and moved to Japan. He and his son run a dairy farm in the province of Hokkaido which is on the most northern island of Japan. Then he wrote, “The letters and the lovely cards I received as a student made me, who felt lonely and alone, very happy. One way to express it might be to say it was like coming near and feeling the warmth of a stove when it’s cold. Those small words of encouragement always gave me great courage. Small things done with God’s love are always accompanied by great blessings. God taught me that anyone, anywhere, can do small acts of love for others. As I am unable to forget the love shown to me by Mennonites, I have named my farm “MENNOnite DAIRY FARM.” On the upper part of the sign is written, in English, “In memory of Mennonite Christians serving in the name of Christ in the Mennonite Vocational School in Korea 1951 – 1971”. I learned that, while he was a student at Mennonite Vocational School (MVS), MCC had sent 20 dairy cows from the U.S. to the school to be used
both for teaching and to provide milk for the students. The school ran an agricultural program, both to educate the students and to provide produce to help sustain them. Students were required to help in the various activities on the farm and in doing so they both supported the institution and they learned. Satoshi became interested in the dairy and asked if he could help with the milking. This initial interest and a great deal of study and even more hard work eventually made it possible for him to own a dairy of his own. He says that to become the owner of his own dairy, he has had to overcome many obstacles but God has always made it possible for him to move forward and to persevere if he made the required sacrifices. It seems that because someone recognized Satoshi’s ability and his willingness to make the required effort to succeed, he was given the opportunity for further study after he left MVS. He has become an expert in artificial insemination of cattle and he has been invited to lecture on the subject in places like Australia, Washington, and Israel.
He sent us the following list of his credentials which include diplomas, awards and certificates: 1967 -- Mennonite Vocational Secondary School Graduate in Agricultural Development 1967 -- Employed at Canaan Christian Institute as a farm manager 1974 -- Employed at Coca-Cola Korea (MIT) for 10 years 1986 -- Graduate of Yonsei University Institute of Agricultural Development 1986 -- Trained at Kurosawa Dairy Farm in Hokkaido, Japan 1986 -- Trained at Japanese Agricultural Development Co. for AI, ET, training & raising cows 1988 -- Graduate of Rakuno Gakuen College in Japan 1989 -- Trained at Japanese ChuOu farm for ET, milk cow and beef management 1991 -- Employed at Ebisia dairy farm as a farm manager 1996 -- Trained at Israeli agricultural development by invitation of I.C.B.A 1998 -- Employed at B*C Farm in Washington, US and Melbourne, Australia as technical manager 2000 -- Employed at JI* Dakeda Dairy Farm (1000 cows) as a technical manager. 2007 -- Currently operating a family dairy farm (MENNOnite DAIRY FARM) 1985 -- License to commence artificial insemination (livestock) in Korea 1986 -- Award from the headmaster of Yonsei University 1988 -- Award from the Rakuno Gakuen College department head of Agricultural Development 1988 -- Award from the Japanese education department 1990 -- License to commence artificial insemination and embryo transplant (livestock) in Japan 1991 -- Award of thanks from Morinaga Milk Industry Co. Ltd. 1993 -- Award of thanks from Osaka Dairy and Agricultural Union. Satoshi has nothing but the highest praise for MCC and what the organization has done for him and for what it did in Korea while he was there. In 2012, the graduates of MVS organized a reunion of alumni and former staff and workers at the school and other MCC relief efforts in Korea after the War. The event was covered and promoted by a Christian Korean television station, broadcasted by TV networks and written up in local newspapers. The alumni provided the former teachers and workers with free transportation to Korea so they could be part of the celebration. As part of this reunion, the alumni, together with former teachers and staff, published a 132 page book about the “Relief and Educational Missionary Work in Korea, 1951 to 1971.” Satoshi wrote, “In current society – sixty years after the Second World War – that service is being forgotten and this was a chance to remind people again. I thank God that I was able to participate as an MVS graduate and express my gratitude to everyone”. In another letter he wrote, “The graduates of MVS have not left the path of faith, no matter what kind of difficult social environments they have experienced. They continue to participate fully in society as pastors, college professors (including one president and one vice-president), teachers, industrialists, executives, army commanders, government workers, musicians, business owners, farmers, and more. They also continue to connect with each other through alumni gatherings and in other ways”. The book published for the alumni event provides details about life and work at the school and the many other programs of MCC in Korea during and after the war. It tells about a program for Korean widows in which MCC brought in sewing machines and gave sewing lessons to 150 women so they could have a skill with which to become self-sufficient. MCC supplied new and used clothing, blankets and all kinds of survival necessities and distributed over 5000 Christmas bundles every year. It established five feeding stations where up to a total of 8000 people were given a hot meal each day. Christian nurses staffed hospitals and orphanages and rescued many abandoned and starving infants. Our conversations continued by e-mail through the fall and the winter on a somewhat irregular basis, partly because letters both ways needed to be translated. Satoshi shared with us some of his plans and dreams. He would like to enlarge his dairy and then establish a cheese factory so he can use the milk produced on the farm to make cheese. Then he would like to build a local, rural, Mennonite church on his property. When that is going, he envisions creating a public park and opening his farm to schools and other groups for educational and recreational purposes. He has big plans. With his faith, his energy and his courage, I would not be surprised to see these things happen. For Christmas, I created a Christmas card for him and his family. In response he wrote: “Thank you for the Christmas card. I was very happy to get it. I wondered what you were thinking while you were making it and decorating it with those pretty leaves and bells. The card now stands by our Christmas tree in our entrance”. In one e-mail, Satoshi invited Ralph and me to visit him in Japan. Ten years ago, that would have been possible, but at this time, we feel that a trip like that is more than we can undertake; instead, we invited him and his wife to visit us in Calgary. By about Easter, he sent us his airline bookings – his wife would not be able to come, but he would be here for six days in July. He asked whether, while he was here, he could see a Mennonite dairy and a Mennonite cheese factory. He also said that while he was here, he would like to be treated as a friend and not as a guest. We were quite excited about his visit but, at the same time, we were apprehensive and began to wonder how this would evolve because he speaks virtually no English and we know not one word of Japanese. We became rather anxious when we thought of spending this time with someone with whom we couldn’t communicate. A few weeks before Satoshi arrived, we had an e-mail from Lydia, who lives near Red Deer and who is Korean. She offered to help with the translating when she could. She had never met Satoshi and knew him only through Facebook; that is how she knew about his forthcoming visit. She and her husband, Young, offered to come to the Calgary airport with us to meet Satoshi. It so happened that, because, Young was unemployed at that time, he volunteered to stay at our house and be our full-time interpreter. This was a huge help for us and relieved some of our anxiety. Young and Lydia have been in Canada eleven years and speak a very passable English. When Satoshi and we arrived at our home, Young told us that Satoshi wanted to thank us in the time-honoured Japanese fashion. This meant putting his hands together, then bowing right down to the floor in front of me and saying thank you in Korean. Then he did the same for Ralph. We were both honoured and humbled, not sure how to respond and feeling that we really didn’t deserve this kind of honour. That was the beginning of “getting to know you.” Until Satoshi actually arrived at our house, Ralph thought that he was just an interested observer and that this visit was really my concern. Now, however, he quickly became a full-time chauffeur and tour guide. The day after Satoshi arrived, Ralph took him and Young to a dairy farm that is close to our farm east of Didsbury. This excursion had been arranged a few weeks earlier. The owners gave them a detailed 2 ½ hour tour answering questions and explaining how they do things in Canada. Satoshi was very busy taking pictures and making notes. After lunch, they went to our farm and Ralph showed them where he grew up and where he went to school.
to get it. I wondered what you were thinking while you were making it and decorating it with those pretty leaves and bells. The card now stands by our Christmas tree in our entrance”. In one e-mail, Satoshi invited Ralph and me to visit him in Japan. Ten years ago, that would have been possible, but at this time, we feel that a trip like that is more than we can undertake; instead, we invited him and his wife to visit us in Calgary. By about Easter, he sent us his airline bookings – his wife would not be able to come, but he would be here for six days in July. He asked whether, while he was here, he could see a Mennonite dairy and a Mennonite cheese factory. He also said that while he was here, he would like to be treated as a friend and not as a guest. We were quite excited about his visit but, at the same time, we were apprehensive and began to wonder how this would evolve because he speaks virtually no English and we know not one word of Japanese. We became rather anxious when we thought of spending this time with someone with whom we couldn’t communicate. A few weeks before Satoshi arrived, we had an e-mail from Lydia, who lives near Red Deer and who is Korean. She offered to help with the translating when she could. She had never met Satoshi and knew him only through Facebook; that is how she knew about his forthcoming visit. She and her husband, Young, offered to come to the Calgary airport with us to meet Satoshi. It so happened that, because, Young was unemployed at that time, he volunteered to stay at our house and be our full-time interpreter. This was a huge help for us and relieved some of our anxiety. Young and Lydia have been in Canada eleven years and speak a very passable English. When Satoshi and we arrived at our home, Young told us that Satoshi wanted to thank us in the time-honoured Japanese fashion. This meant putting his hands together, then bowing right down to the floor in front of me and saying thank you in Korean. Then he did the same for Ralph. We were both honoured and humbled, not sure how to respond and feeling that we really didn’t deserve this kind of honour. That was the beginning of “getting to know you.” Until Satoshi actually arrived at our house, Ralph thought that he was just an interested observer and that this visit was really my concern. Now, however, he quickly became a full-time chauffeur and tour guide. The day after Satoshi arrived, Ralph took him and Young to a dairy farm that is close to our farm east of Didsbury. This excursion had been arranged a few weeks earlier. The owners gave them a detailed 2 ½ hour tour answering questions and explaining how they do things in Canada. Satoshi was very busy taking pictures and making notes. After lunch, they went to our farm and Ralph showed them where he grew up and where he went to school. The next day, Ralph took them to see the house in Calgary where we used to live when I wrote Satoshi the letter. That afternoon they went to the MCC office because we thought it was important that he meet some of the people who run the programs like the one that had helped him when he was in Korea. We had talked to the staff at the office to let them know about Satoshi before he came to Canada so they would be ready for the delegation when they met them in the board room for tea. There, Satoshi thanked MCC for what they had done and were doing, and he told them about his vision for a cheese factory and church and public park. He told them he was looking for a cheese maker for his farm and a pastor for the church he was hoping to build. Did they know of any such people? He asked and answered many questions, all of which was made possible by Young’s ability to translate. Without an interpreter, this would have been very different and not very useful. On two separate evenings, some of our friends invited us, Satoshi and Young to dinner in order to meet and get to know them. The conversation was in English so Young was busy interpreting for Satoshi who seemed to be very absorbed in trying to learn what he could about our Canadian way of life. After we came home from those visits, I would wake up well after midnight and hear Young and Satoshi downstairs in conversation and I thought it would be
interesting to know what their perceptions of us and our Canadian society were. Long before we got up, Satoshi was already up and writing in his note book. We thought we would like to show Satoshi some of Alberta beyond Calgary so, on Friday, Ralph took them to Banff. It was a cold and rainy day with low-hanging clouds that obscured the mountain tops but we did see what we could of Banff and Lake Minnewanka and we saw a black bear amble across the road in front of us. On Sunday we all went to church along with Young, Lydia and their boys. On the way there, I thought that in our church it would be appreciated if Satoshi were to thank them in German, so w e t a u g h t h i m t o s a y “Dankeschoen”. During the service, I introduced Satoshi, Young and Lydia, and Satoshi thanked the ladies of the Helping Hands in Korean, in English and in German. After the service, it was coffee time in the basement and Satoshi had his picture taken with the ladies of Helping Hands. He gave each of them a little cross on a chain. During the conversation, Satoshi wondered where he could get a big Canadian flag since, it seems, these are not easy to find. Herman Walde thought he knew where to get one. Early Monday morning before Satoshi left, Herman appeared with a big Canadian maple leaf suitable to run up the flagpole on a dairy farm in Japan! On Sunday night, we were invited to dinner at the house of our Korean friends who attend our church. At this gathering, everyone except Ralph and I spoke Korean so that was often the language of the conversation. Now, instead of Young translating for Satoshi, he was translating for us! Satoshi came with gifts for us and our children but we hadn’t really thought about gifts so when it was close to the time he was to leave, I said I would like to give him one of my paintings. He could choose any one of the many he saw on our walls. I thought he might choose something small because he had only a very small carry-on, but, instead, he chose a fairly good-sized painting of a typical Canadian wheat field with a blue Alberta sky. It was too big to fit in the carry-on space so the morning was spent rigging up a carrying case that he could take with him on the plane. Then he asked if he could have an English Bible so Ralph found several of various sizes, again thinking that that he had only a small suitcase, but he chose the big one. His little suitcase just got heavier. Now, I imagine, if one should visit Satoshi in Japan, one should expect to see an English Bible on the coffee table, a picture of a Canadian wheat field on the wall and a red maple leaf on the flagpole outside. We think Satoshi is an amazing person. We feel fortunate to have met him. We are impressed by his many achievements and his ability to persevere in spite of his circumstances. Now that he is no longer here, we can
Reflection on the Visit of Mr. Satoshi to the MCC Alberta Office By Abe Janzen
Mr. Tokahi Satoshi, from Japan, was planning a visit to Calgary. The reason for this surprising visit was that Mr. Satoshi had been a young boy during the Korean war, and had been looked after both during and after the war, in one of many orphanages set up for this purpose, during the war. At least some of these homes were supported by people from Canada, through MCC. And some of the support had names and addresses attached to it. Mr. Satoshi, as he grew older, did not forget his earlier years and kept many photographs and other artifacts from those early years. He moved, eventually, to northern Japan, where he has had some contact with the Japanese Mennonite Churches as well, and there he has built up a successful dairy farm which he calls, on his business card, MENNOnite Dairy Farm. During the past few years, Mr. Satoshi began a search for a connection to the people who might have been helpful to him, in the orphanage where he and others had lived. He noticed the names of Ralph and Rita Dahl. The address had been blotted out by dark felt pen, but when he looked more closely, he could make out ... "Calgary". And that is when his search for a connection gained some momentum, leading eventually, to the Dahls' address, here in Calgary. Soon, he arranged to come here, mostly, to say hello and thank you. He came alone, and the Dahls found a local interpreter (Young Won), since Mr Satoshi's English is somewhat limited. During his visit, the Dahls brought Mr. Satoshi to the MCCA office where a number staff were able to visit with him over a couple of hours, and look at his photo albums and other records that he had brought with him. It was a very pleasant visit, with a very kind and thoughtful man. The story is much too abbreviated in these lines but he did not have time to tell us many, many details. What remains with me among other things, is the beauty of a person who, despite the years that have passed, remembers to "come back" and say thank you. Not just to the Dahls, but in a way, to those hundreds and thousands who then, and today still, find ways to reach out to people in other places whom they most likely will never meet, to offer what Jesus so very clearly reminded us to do in Matthew 25 ... to visit those in prison, to feed those who are hungry, to clothe those who do not have clothes. The Dahls represent those many servant-minded people, all over the world. Mr. Satoshi represents those who are helped, but also those who in turn, want to help others, and who, in some Holy-Spirit driven way, are transformed by the kindness of others. The Gospel is this. A reaching out around us ... in many and simple ways ... generously ... and letting the Holy Spirit accompany that reaching out. In his patient way, he turns awful situations, into the Salvation of God. Abe Janzen 9 Mennonite Historical Society of Alberta Newsletter Oct. 2014 Abe Janzen is the Executive Director of Mennonite Central Committee Alberta in Calgary.
History of the Mennonite Vocational School, Kyung San, South Korea
History of the Mennonite Vocational School, Kyung San, South Korea
Founding and Purpose of the School: The Mennonite Vocational School (MVS) in Kyung San, which is 15 miles east of Taegu, was a remarkable project of MCC in Korea. In the early 1950s to the 60s, there were not many schools in Korea. Particularly, educational programs providing vocational training and professional skills were extremely rare. Preparation for a vocational school for orphan boys were made by Robert Kohls who continued as the first principal. MVS began to admit orphans right after the Korean War in 1953. The purpose of MVS was to give war-orphaned boys an adequate combination of food, shelter, clothing, education, and spiritual help. In addition, one of the prime purposes of MVS was to provide students not only with basic academic schooling but also with vocational skills so that they could be self-supporting following graduation. The goal of the school was to help develop Christian democracyloving citizens who could make a good contribution to their society and country. Although MVS was established as an agricultural training school, it later branched out into metal work, carpentry, printing, grafting, electronics, and English/typing. About 200 boys, from grade 7 to 12, were taught vocational skills as well as basic academic education. Acceptance into MVS and the Student Body: Students were accepted to MVS by passing the entrance examinations given annually. Exam subjects included Korean, English, mathematics and writing. An interview was also conducted. Roughly one third of those tested were accepted into the school. A high percentage of those entering into grade seven remained at MVS through high school graduation. However, in 1967 MVS changed to a threeyear school for only high school-aged boys. Interestingly, not all the boys who took the entrance exams were orphan boys. Many of them still had parents or relatives. Poverty, however, prevented most of them from receiving an education. Therefore, it was rather natural in those years that there was a lot of competition to get into MVS, especially since it was a tuition-free school. After the war it was also very common in Korean society to try to have a connection with Westerners, in order to obtain foreign sponsorship (Western countries were known for nothing but wealth). It was partly for this reason that MVS usually had more applicants than the number of students that could be admitted. In the late 1960s, however, MVS officially accepted some boys as students from the surrounding community. Also, whereas in the early years most of the boys who went to MVS were from Kyongbuk Province (where Kyung San is), by the late 1960s more students came to the school from other provinces. Grounds & Faculty: MVS had 4 dormitory buildings in which all students lived. Those dorms each had a different name: 신 (Trust), 망 (Hope), 애 (Love), and 진 (Truth). There were also 18 residences for staff on the campus. The chapel was one of the main buildings at MVS. Every morning Mennonite Vocational School, Kyung, South Korea 10 Mennonite Historical Society of Alberta Newsletter Oct. 2014 all students and staff gathered in it for a short service. (Bible class was also taught once a week.). There were a total of 35 buildings that made up MVS, including an assembly hall, warehousing, a green house, a study room, and a rice mill. The 44 acre property allowed for an extensive farm operation involving rice and barley fields, upland terraces, a herd of cattle and hogs, a small orchard and vineyard, vegetable fields, and a couple of small ponds. The faculty and staff of MVS usually consisted of 6 MCC workers: a principal and an agriculturalist and their wives, two single men (PAX men), and approximately 40 Korean staff who had responsibilities in teaching, dormitory supervision, cooking, maintenance, farm operation, community extension work, and so on. The number of staff gradually increased throughout the 1960's. There were a total of 5 principals at MVS during its short history from 1953 to 1969. The wives of the principal were also very important figures among the staff. They were usually put in charge of nurturing the boys. They worked as nurses and taught English and typing. Due to the supply of sufficient food and a regular medical examination, the hygienic condition of MVS students was generally good. Farming Practice: Besides chapel, the one requirement for students was farming practice hours. All students had to complete their labour hours - usually 4 per week - doing things like taking care of the cattle, hogs, and hens, or weeding the field and orchard. For 2-3 weeks in spring and fall all students and staff went out to the rice field to plant and harvest rice. By doing this, MVS could supply rice and other crops for the boys to eat instead of buying food from Taegu. A new program, the Mennonite Community Service Project (MCSP), for the advancement of farming methods and living standards in rural homes was begun by MVS staff in 1960. The MCSP staff worked with 10 village communities surrounding MVS until 1970. From 1965 the annual Farmer's Winter Institute was held, training capable persons in providing agricultural leadership to their communities. Graduation and Employment: Although MVS students received practical experience through their education, getting a job was not necessarily simple. Especially for the graduates who had studied agriculture, it was extremely difficult to find employment - and owning land was even more difficult. Some of the unemployed graduates did not even have an appropriate place to go after graduation, and needed a place to live until they found work. MCC provided these individuals with a living hostel, letting them stay there until they found jobs. In spite of the initial struggle after graduation, many students got into colleges and universities, and were gradually able to find good jobs. Another success of the school was that, even though some of the students were not Christians when they entered MVS, they left it Christians.
School Closure: In 1968 MCC decided to finalize all its activities in Korea. Since MCC has historically been an emergency relief agency, Korean economic development signified that the organization should move on to other more needy countries. The MCC began to look for ways to hand MVS over to a national board so that the school could continue to run. MCC was involved in creating the local Kong San Vocational School board, which included Korean members, and the president of Kyongbuk University as chairperson of the board. Full responsibility for the operation of MVS was transferred to this board in July 1969. On March 31, 1971, MCC concluded all its programs in Korea, which had been carried on in the name of Christ for 20 years. A little later, some of MVS board members became board members for Keimyong Christian University (KMCU), and MVS was taken over by the KMCU. KMCU did not have a particular reason to keep running MVS, especially since financial support from MCC had since stopped. Leaving countless memories behind, MVS was closed in early 1970s. During its short history, about 350 students in total graduated from MVS. This article is reprinted from the MCC Website (http://mccen.kac.or.kr/) with permission by Kim Kyong Jung, director of the Korea Anabaptist Centre.
-------------
Alumnus Testimony for the Worship Service at CTS
2012.05.23
(Edited by Havilah)
First of all, I give thanks to Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace for bringing me here to be with each of you MCC volunteers today. I would like to thank God for His grace and love which lead us to joyful and grateful lives. I also express my special thanks to CTS for providing this opportunity. I cannot find any words to express our thanks to them.
We were children who had lost our families during the Korean War and were raised in an orphanage. The term of “orphan” was too big a burden for us to carry. The reality of our daily lives was very harsh for us, but the love and grace of God encouraged us always.
One day when I was young, I awoke to whispers in the early dawn. In an opposite bed, a little boy spoke in a small voice to his friend:“Thank you very much for our time together. I go first to heaven. Don’t be shocked when you wake up in the morning.”
And the little child left us, in the warm presence of his friends. The day before, the little boy had crouched down in the sunshine and drawn a picture on the ground. What picture did he draw? Possibly he had drawn and then erased a picture of his mother who he had missed so much, and his younger sister who he had worried about so much.
At that time, orphanages couldn’t help children to enter the next level of school after they had graduated from elementary school. So, orphans had to look for work, or they were adopted, or they became wandering children after leaving the orphanage. In such circumstances, God guided those of us in MVS Park by taking us by the hand. We will always think of this place as our home and we call this place ‘MVS Park’.
Each of you here came to this Park today from far away, as servants of God’s calling.MVS helped children abandoned by war to have a vision for their lives. A vision or dream that they could create and design out of their experience at the serene MVS Park.
The educational policy of a school is self-regulating and evokes a student’s sense of volunteerism. This MVS School operated with a sense of responsibility and mutual trust with students. Also, this school had an educational policy that promoted personality formation along with instruction on faith, refinement, knowledge, and the techniques for adapting oneself to society and improving one’s own life. While technique and knowledge usually guide humans to failure, faith and refinement do not guide humans to corruption.
Education -How much education can I receive?
Career -What kind of career can I have after my education?
Volunteer work -What kind of volunteering should I do through my career?
Religion -What kind of sincere religion should I choose and then follow?
I can’t help but express my gratitude and glad heart to you, and proudly share this story at this meeting. This story is beautifully represented in those who have grown to become a minister, a professor, a teacher, a commander, a civil servant, a manager, an artist, a technician, a farmer, a business owner and so on. We work in various parts of the world, always working with God.
We have waited a long time for the opportunity to each express our thanks. We have organized an alumni association by regional groups for this purpose. If we are in need, we patiently help each other. Both seniors and juniors are on friendly terms with each other and stand behind each other. As a result we have each built a life one by one.
We have a dream of a Mennonite renewal in Korea that by inviting the previous generations and giving gratitude we may bring awareness to our home country.
We grew in our understanding of what is true service when Mennonite theologian, Melvin Gingerich’s, introduction to the Mennonite faith was published in Korea in the alumni association bulletin.
Our alumni have met with Mennonite missionaries in Japan and Taipei and visited our old teachers through World Mennonite Conference.
As God guides us along these different paths, there have been several efforts, the Korean Anabaptist Center for example, which have given the Mennonite Church in Korea a new form in Korean society.
We believe that the Mennonite renewal in our home country lives in the soil and will continue on in future generations; a renewal, based on the spiritual legacy of MVS Park and its principle of “Give as freely as you have received”
Let me finish my expression of gratitude with this verse from the Bible:
“Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." He said, "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you." Genesis 22:1-2.
In other words, it is true that God accepts us as not a sacrificial offering but a sacrifice.
And we are grateful that you have been with us who were abandoned as orphans during the Korean War, and we appreciate the good news that you introduced to us as you following the word of the Lord to “give the young anything necessary”.
“It is surprising that one tiny seed will become a big fruit and that the Lord allows his disciples to sow the seeds of his teachings”
I often read my old diary written at MVS and I used to feel both sadness and joy. We promise that we will live following God’s Word and will be MVS Boys forever. I sincerely thank you for today’s meeting.
I repeat the scripture again: “God called, and he replied. Here I am.”
I hope that God’s blessing will be with you, thank you.
Eun HyunGee.
Mennonite Vocational School 9th graduating class
P.S. Because I cannot forget my appreciation to the Mennonites, so I’ve named our farm MENNONITE DAIRY FARM and carved this statement below the name:
In memory of Mennonite Christians
Serving in the name of Christ at the
Mennonite Vocational School in Korea 1951-1971
------------
저는 1947년생입니다. 이데 주님의 나라레 돌아갈 날이 점점 가까워져 옵니다. 우리가 사는 하나님께서 만드신 세상은 점점 인간 스스로가 이 세상을 만들어 간다는 과학과 문화 문명의 발달로 달리고 있으며 이제 이 속도를 늧추면 경제가 움직이지 않는다는 경제이론들을 말하곤 합니다. 그러므로 점점 더 놀라운 새것을 만들어 가야 한가도 하며 정부가 통치하는 세상으로 바뀌어져야 한다는 사회주의로 변모해 가려고 합니다. 미국도 2036년에는 사회주의 국가로 볌묘해야 한다는 이야기도 있으며, 일본도 공산주의가 아닌 사회주의 사회로 바뀌어져 가려는 정부의 움직입니다.
여기게 나 자신이 하나님께서 만드신 창조물로써 이 땅에서 살아야 하는데 삶의 참뜻을 어떻게 가지고, 기독교인라고 자인한다면 하나님과의 관계를 어떻게 지속하면서 하나님세계에 되돌아 가야 하느냐는 어려움을 감당하면서 살아야 할 신앙인의 자세가 필요하여 집니다. 이것을 매일 같이 일을 하기전에 주님앞에 작은 신앙의 가족들을 기도로 물으면서 대답을 기다리면서 순종하려고 합니다.
사람들과 더불어 함께 도와 가며, 위로하고 격려하며 먹고 입고 자고 살수 있는 자기의 형편에서 쓰레기로 버리는 세상의 돈이라는 도구를 선하게 사용할수 있는 선한 일터을 만들어 다음사람들과 세대들에게 유산으로 남기어 선하게 잘 사용하라고 당부하고 부탁하고 싶은 마음으로 세계의 메노나이트사람들과 협력의 손을 잡고 싶어 합니다.
세상의 일을 말로 모르고 정리한다는것은 너누나 어렵습니다. 하지만 주인이신 하나님 앞에서 순종하는 삶을 살았ㅇ면 합니다.
타자가 많이도 틀렸습니다. 해석하면서 읽어셔야 하겠습니다. 저는 수정란이식연구소에서 있었습니다.동물의 생명을 둘로 쪼게어 그 숫자를 시간에 비례하여 늘려야 하는 일을 하지만 도저히 이 이상 하나님의 창조의 완전한 질서의 세계를 나 자신이 함부로 조작하느것은 아니된다고 하여 그만두었습니다. 지금은 창조의 질서에 순종하면서 농부로써 가족들을 돌보며 노동과 수고와 신앙안에서 살고 있습니다.
아담하고 예쁜 우리의 목장 만들기 꿈.doc
School Closure: In 1968 MCC decided to finalize all its activities in Korea. Since MCC has historically been an emergency relief agency, Korean economic development signified that the organization should move on to other more needy countries. The MCC began to look for ways to hand MVS over to a national board so that the school could continue to run. MCC was involved in creating the local Kong San Vocational School board, which included Korean members, and the president of Kyongbuk University as chairperson of the board. Full responsibility for the operation of MVS was transferred to this board in July 1969. On March 31, 1971, MCC concluded all its programs in Korea, which had been carried on in the name of Christ for 20 years. A little later, some of MVS board members became board members for Keimyong Christian University (KMCU), and MVS was taken over by the KMCU. KMCU did not have a particular reason to keep running MVS, especially since financial support from MCC had since stopped. Leaving countless memories behind, MVS was closed in early 1970s. During its short history, about 350 students in total graduated from MVS. This article is reprinted from the MCC Website (http://mccen.kac.or.kr/) with permission by Kim Kyong Jung, director of the Korea Anabaptist Centre.
-------------
Alumnus Testimony for the Worship Service at CTS
2012.05.23
(Edited by Havilah)
First of all, I give thanks to Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace for bringing me here to be with each of you MCC volunteers today. I would like to thank God for His grace and love which lead us to joyful and grateful lives. I also express my special thanks to CTS for providing this opportunity. I cannot find any words to express our thanks to them.
We were children who had lost our families during the Korean War and were raised in an orphanage. The term of “orphan” was too big a burden for us to carry. The reality of our daily lives was very harsh for us, but the love and grace of God encouraged us always. One day when I was young, I awoke to whispers in the early dawn. In an opposite bed, a little boy spoke in a small voice to his friend:“Thank you very much for our time together. I go first to heaven. Don’t be shocked when you wake up in the morning.”
And the little child left us, in the warm presence of his friends. The day before, the little boy had crouched down in the sunshine and drawn a picture on the ground. What picture did he draw? Possibly he had drawn and then erased a picture of his mother who he had missed so much, and his younger sister who he had worried about so much.
At that time, orphanages couldn’t help children to enter the next level of school after they had graduated from elementary school. So, orphans had to look for work, or they were adopted, or they became wandering children after leaving the orphanage. In such circumstances, God guided those of us in MVS Park by taking us by the hand. We will always think of this place as our home and we call this place ‘MVS Park’.
Each of you here came to this Park today from far away, as servants of God’s calling.MVS helped children abandoned by war to have a vision for their lives. A vision or dream that they could create and design out of their experience at the serene MVS Park.
The educational policy of a school is self-regulating and evokes a student’s sense of volunteerism. This MVS School operated with a sense of responsibility and mutual trust with students. Also, this school had an educational policy that promoted personality formation along with instruction on faith, refinement, knowledge, and the techniques for adapting oneself to society and improving one’s own life. While technique and knowledge usually guide humans to failure, faith and refinement do not guide humans to corruption.
Education -How much education can I receive?
Career -What kind of career can I have after my education?
Volunteer work -What kind of volunteering should I do through my career?
Religion -What kind of sincere religion should I choose and then follow?
I can’t help but express my gratitude and glad heart to you, and proudly share this story at this meeting. This story is beautifully represented in those who have grown to become a minister, a professor, a teacher, a commander, a civil servant, a manager, an artist, a technician, a farmer, a business owner and so on. We work in various parts of the world, always working with God.We have waited a long time for the opportunity to each express our thanks. We have organized an alumni association by regional groups for this purpose. If we are in need, we patiently help each other. Both seniors and juniors are on friendly terms with each other and stand behind each other. As a result we have each built a life one by one.
We have a dream of a Mennonite renewal in Korea that by inviting the previous generations and giving gratitude we may bring awareness to our home country.
We grew in our understanding of what is true service when Mennonite theologian, Melvin Gingerich’s, introduction to the Mennonite faith was published in Korea in the alumni association bulletin.Our alumni have met with Mennonite missionaries in Japan and Taipei and visited our old teachers through World Mennonite Conference.
As God guides us along these different paths, there have been several efforts, the Korean Anabaptist Center for example, which have given the Mennonite Church in Korea a new form in Korean society.
We believe that the Mennonite renewal in our home country lives in the soil and will continue on in future generations; a renewal, based on the spiritual legacy of MVS Park and its principle of “Give as freely as you have received”
Let me finish my expression of gratitude with this verse from the Bible:
“Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." He said, "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you." Genesis 22:1-2.
In other words, it is true that God accepts us as not a sacrificial offering but a sacrifice.
And we are grateful that you have been with us who were abandoned as orphans during the Korean War, and we appreciate the good news that you introduced to us as you following the word of the Lord to “give the young anything necessary”.
“It is surprising that one tiny seed will become a big fruit and that the Lord allows his disciples to sow the seeds of his teachings”I often read my old diary written at MVS and I used to feel both sadness and joy. We promise that we will live following God’s Word and will be MVS Boys forever. I sincerely thank you for today’s meeting.
I repeat the scripture again: “God called, and he replied. Here I am.”
I hope that God’s blessing will be with you, thank you.
Eun HyunGee.
Mennonite Vocational School 9th graduating class
P.S. Because I cannot forget my appreciation to the Mennonites, so I’ve named our farm MENNONITE DAIRY FARM and carved this statement below the name:
In memory of Mennonite Christians
Serving in the name of Christ at the
Mennonite Vocational School in Korea 1951-1971
------------
저는 1947년생입니다. 이데 주님의 나라레 돌아갈 날이 점점 가까워져 옵니다. 우리가 사는 하나님께서 만드신 세상은 점점 인간 스스로가 이 세상을 만들어 간다는 과학과 문화 문명의 발달로 달리고 있으며 이제 이 속도를 늧추면 경제가 움직이지 않는다는 경제이론들을 말하곤 합니다. 그러므로 점점 더 놀라운 새것을 만들어 가야 한가도 하며 정부가 통치하는 세상으로 바뀌어져야 한다는 사회주의로 변모해 가려고 합니다. 미국도 2036년에는 사회주의 국가로 볌묘해야 한다는 이야기도 있으며, 일본도 공산주의가 아닌 사회주의 사회로 바뀌어져 가려는 정부의 움직입니다.
여기게 나 자신이 하나님께서 만드신 창조물로써 이 땅에서 살아야 하는데 삶의 참뜻을 어떻게 가지고, 기독교인라고 자인한다면 하나님과의 관계를 어떻게 지속하면서 하나님세계에 되돌아 가야 하느냐는 어려움을 감당하면서 살아야 할 신앙인의 자세가 필요하여 집니다. 이것을 매일 같이 일을 하기전에 주님앞에 작은 신앙의 가족들을 기도로 물으면서 대답을 기다리면서 순종하려고 합니다.
사람들과 더불어 함께 도와 가며, 위로하고 격려하며 먹고 입고 자고 살수 있는 자기의 형편에서 쓰레기로 버리는 세상의 돈이라는 도구를 선하게 사용할수 있는 선한 일터을 만들어 다음사람들과 세대들에게 유산으로 남기어 선하게 잘 사용하라고 당부하고 부탁하고 싶은 마음으로 세계의 메노나이트사람들과 협력의 손을 잡고 싶어 합니다.
세상의 일을 말로 모르고 정리한다는것은 너누나 어렵습니다. 하지만 주인이신 하나님 앞에서 순종하는 삶을 살았ㅇ면 합니다.
타자가 많이도 틀렸습니다. 해석하면서 읽어셔야 하겠습니다. 저는 수정란이식연구소에서 있었습니다.동물의 생명을 둘로 쪼게어 그 숫자를 시간에 비례하여 늘려야 하는 일을 하지만 도저히 이 이상 하나님의 창조의 완전한 질서의 세계를 나 자신이 함부로 조작하느것은 아니된다고 하여 그만두었습니다. 지금은 창조의 질서에 순종하면서 농부로써 가족들을 돌보며 노동과 수고와 신앙안에서 살고 있습니다.
아담하고 예쁜 우리의 목장 만들기 꿈.doc
작고도
아름다운 농촌 마을에서
신앙의 가족들과 함께
파란 하늘밑 푸른 풀밭 가운데
무지개 같은 알롱달롱한
아담한 예쁜 목장을 만들려는
한 아름의 꿈을 안고서
땀흘려 일하고 있습니다.
푸른 풀밭에 얼룩 젖소들의
모습이 보이는 목장과
정성들여 짜모은 하얀 우유로 치즈를 만들며
목장 한 복판에 아담한 농촌 마을교회를 짖고서
한 마을사람들이 신앙 안에서 서로가 도웁고
도와 가며 살아가는 농촌이 되었으면 하는 바램과
목장을 찿는 분들이
소들이 모여와서 젖을 짜고있는 착유실과
맛있는 사료들을 먹으며 어슬렁거리는
우사안의 소들을 돌아 보면서
작은 송아지들이 커다란 젓병을
쭐쭐 빨면 좋아하는 모습들을
자유롭게 볼수 있도록
사회교육장소로 개방하여 드리고 싶습니다.
나무밑에서 조용히 책을 읽는 사람들,
풀밭에서 뛰고 구르고 딩구는 아이들,
교회안에서 들려오는
어린소녀가 켜는 오르간 소리에
살짝히 귀 기울이며
자그만한 애기를 유모차에 태우고서
나무가지 사이 그늘 아래를
천천히 걷는 엄마의 모습,
이러한 모습들의 목장을 마음에 떠올리면서
가만히 웃어 보곤하는 저희들 가족들 입니다.
언제인가 이러한 목장이 되어지기를 바라며
선한 목자이신 예수님이 인도하시는 길을 함께 걸으며
오늘도 이 작은 일을 할수 있는 Mennonite
Dairy Farm 을
만들어 가고 있습니다.
