Tears of joy as secret believers from North Korea are baptised

There were tears of joy as a group of women who had fled North Korea braved huge dangers to get baptised in a secret location outside the country.

The ceremony was part of a project run by Open Doors fieldworkers that provides practical and pastoral care, together with Bible study, for women who have defected from the country. Many were trafficked and forced into marriages.
 

“We prayed and went forward in faith”

Even though the baptisms took place outside of North Korea, the occasion was not without risk – in fact, they nearly didn’t happen.

Security had intensified in the area where the baptisms were due to happen, with reports of increased police checkpoints and undercover officers. “When I travelled there, I saw more police on the road than I imagined,” says a fieldworker. “Some were in plain clothes. We had to move with caution and say little. But we prayed and went forward in faith.”

  Once inside the safehouse and before getting baptised, the women received some final teaching. “They were nervous, but determined,” says the fieldworker. “We prepared the Communion elements in the kitchen while they studied the meaning of baptism. When we all gathered for worship, the tears began to flow.”

One by one, the women were baptised in a moving service filled with singing, prayer and silent cries. Afterwards, they celebrated with a shared meal and received gifts, with each one given a cross and a traditional, colourful Korean dress (hanbok). “One of them told me, ‘This is the first time I’ve worn a hanbok since I left North Korea.’ She cried when she put it on.”

No longer alone

The next day, the group moved to another secret location to receive some training. “They brought us mushrooms and dried greens as gifts,” says the fieldworker. “It was incredibly humbling. These women have so little, but they give with their whole hearts.”

It was there that one woman shared her story. “After I believed in the Father, everything started to change,” she said. “I’m not alone anymore.”

The women then returned to their respective foreign families. Some are treated well, while others are abused. However, many of the women say that their life is better now than when they lived in their home country.

“Especially now, with the current currency devaluation. Life is even more difficult back home,” shared one of the women.

Those like the women helped by our fieldworkers often try to save some money and send it to their relatives in North Korea to help them survive the awful conditions. “Sometimes supporting their family is the only reason they still want to live,” says Brother Simon*, Open Doors’ North Korea coordinator.

Faith overcomes fear

“Our women’s project shows them that they are not alone,” he continues. “Working with them is not easy, but we see many positive changes. Some can become leaders and start their own Bible study groups for North Korean women. They learn about baptism during those studies, but being baptised is very dangerous, even outside the country. That’s why we are so grateful that we could have the ceremony.”

Such ceremonies, and the transformed lives they celebrate, couldn’t take place without your faithful prayers and gifts. Thank you! You’re helping them take bold steps of faith in secret – but with great joy.

“We walk in fear sometimes,” adds the fieldworker. “But more than that, we walk in faith. And God meets us every time.”

*Names changed for security reasons