The religious life of uncle, my neighbor

Mr. Kim, an 85-year-old farmer residing in Goheung County, Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City, is known for his unwavering religious devotion. He attends church twice daily, once at dawn and again at 5 p.m., engaging in prayer for himself, his family, and his congregation. This practice of regular prayer has been a part of his life for over 70 years, beginning when he was merely 15 years old.

One significant event that Mr. Kim experienced during this period of constant prayer was during a typhoon that struck his village. Despite the storm and attempts by his family to discourage him from attending church, he made the decision to go. As he crossed a swollen stream, his Bible slipped from his grasp and fell into the water. Disheartened, he returned home and asked his children to assist in finding the lost book of scriptures.

Fortunately for Mr. Kim, one of his children managed to retrieve the Bible, which had taken root in a tree within the stream. He spent numerous days drying the Bible so that it could once again be used for prayer. Throughout his life, Mr. Kim's steadfast commitment to prayer has served as both a source of guidance and strength, helping him navigate the complexities of his existence.

Even as a young man, he demonstrated his dedication by serving his parents, who were religiously unfaithful, during times of familial conflict, such as disagreements over performing ancestral rites.