Methodist Church
While
Kristin was with the young American pastor's
family in Korea, I injured my shoulder at the gym and went to an international
medical clinic in town. The man who took care of my rehabilitation was from
Korea and had a cross, so I asked him if he were Christian. He replied that he
is.
One day, he asked me why I seemed so weighed down all the time, so I told him what had happened to Kristin in his country. He listened and then said that he is sorry, so I added that she now has no place to go and the only remaining option is to fly her back and minister to her myself. But I was a single man; if I cared for a single woman by myself, that would not look to those around.
He remained silent, so I asked him what he thought about that. He lowered his eyes, then looked back up at me after a while and replied that it sounded like I had a sister in need but was more concerned about my reputation than her needs. That wasn't the answer I expected or wanted to hear. But it felt like I had been hit between my eyes, and I also felt a burden lifting off my shoulders.
He then added that I should check out his Methodist church, whose services has simultaneous English translation through headsets, and added that his pastor is a real spiritual warrior. Really? Since when did Methodists engage in spiritual warfare? He replied that his pastor is a Methodist in name only, as he studied at a Methodist seminary.
The Methodist church was in the middle of nowhere but the service was jammed packed, there was indeed simultaneous translation into English, and the sermon was solid. After the service, I approached the pastor and asked if I could pose a question. He said yes, so I told him that I have been helping someone who has demons, and asked, "Do you believe demons can enter a Christian?" He replied, "Oh yes, they come inside me when I fight them."
I almost burst out laughing but restrained myself. He then invited me to some meal that his church was serving. I politely declined, thanked him, bid him farewell, and quickly left. I sensed that he must have known that I didn't appreciate his answer but I didn't care, as I would never see him again. After exiting the church, I finally said to myself, "A pastor who has demons ... yeah right," and walked away.
As the young American pastor's family must be packing up for their return to the States, I suspected Kristin must be wondering, even worried, about what would happen to her. So I called and told her not to worry, as I will fly her back, take her to a small village somewhere and just fast and pray, as Jesus said to do against the demons that resist being cast out, until they come out. I tried to sound upbeat as I didn't want her to feel that I was flying her back just because nobody else is willing to take her.