By Dr. Hamin Baek
Among my favorite photos of my children in their childhood is one that shows my son from behind, holding a kite and running joyfully and my daughter running after her older brother. Every time I look at that picture, I smile at their innocent and cute appearances as children, but also feel somewhat sad as I think of sending them off like that someday. Similarly, when we look at the back of someone as they leave, we get mixed feelings.
Last year, we saw the backs of 40 graduates as they left Handong. And now, as we send off Dr. Hae-Kyeong Park, we see her back, too. How can we not be sad when we must say farewell? However, we know that we aren’t simply leaving each other. We can send them with joy and blessings, because we remember that the Lord is commissioning them elsewhere according to His will.
Now we are looking at the faces of students, parents, and teachers, who have been called to HIS. Seeing the face of each and every one of those returning from a long winter, along with new members of the Handong community, a new dream and hope arises. I look forward to seeing how God will cultivate us this year and what he will fulfill through us.
Above all, I hope that we can see the face of God our Father or “Peniel” (Gen. 32:30). Instead of worrying or fearing about the faces of many challenges and tasks ahead of us, I pray that we discover the face of our living and working God in all areas of our lives, who is bigger and stronger than our worries, and works for His good through all these events. May 2022 be a year when all HIS families will find victory in the Lord.
