11 Dec, 2008
SAN DIEGO - A Korean immigrant whose wife, two young daughters and mother-in-law perished when a military jet crashed into his house says he doesn't blame the pilot who safely ejected.
The Marine Corps fighter plane was returning from an offshore training mission Monday when it clipped a tree and slammed into homes about two miles from its base. Two homes were incinerated, and three others were damaged. Three generations of a Korean family died in one home.
The family's pastor, the Rev. Kevin Lee of the Korean United Methodist Church in San Diego, identified three of them as Young Mi Yoon, 36; her 2-month-old daughter, Rachel; and her mother, Suk Im Kim, 60, who was visiting from South Korea to help care for her daughter's newborn. The body of 15-month-old Grace Yoon, Rachel's sister, was found in the home Tuesday, Fire Department spokesman Maurice Luque said. No one else remained missing.
The San Diego County medical examiner's office has not officially released the names of the victims.Young Mi Yoon's husband defended the pilot Tuesday.
"I don't have any hard feelings," Dong Yun Yoon, 37, told reporters near the rubble where his home once stood. "I know he did everything he could."
"Please pray for him not to suffer from this accident," Dong Yun Yoon said. "I know he is one of our treasured for the country."
Dong Yun Yoon, who left Korea in 1989 and became a U.S. citizen, wondered aloud how he would persevere after losing his family.
"Please tell me how to do it," he said, surrounded by his pastor, sister, brother and church members. "I don't know what to do."
Story courtesy msn.com 12/10/08
The Ultimate Forgiveness
Mark 11:25 (NIV)
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."
What does God's Story scripture teach us about forgiving others?
Ever been wronged by someone? As in they really crossed you. Have you be so mad you would consider it unforgivable?
Dong Yun Yoon lost his wife, 2 daughters, and mother-in-law in a terrible accident. Yet he is not angry at the piolt who crashed into the house, in fact, he is concerned for him! He responds with, "Please pray for him not to suffer from this accident" Perhaps Don Yun Yoon understands the extravagant power of his own sins being forgiven.
Colossians 3:13 tells us to "forgive as the Lord forgave you." If we can even begin to understand the multitude of sin God has forgiven in our lives, it may be easier to extend a small amount of that forgiveness to others.
So why does God call us to forgive others? Not "because he forgave us so we should forgive others." Rather, God is in the business of restoration and peace. He wants our relationships with others to be restored. (Just as he sent Christ to restore our relationship to him) It is only when we are at peace with others that we can experience the pure Peace of God's presence. If we hold onto anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness we are not allowing God's Peace to rule in our lives.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Forgive. Is there someone in your life that you need to forgive? Whether it is having a conversation with them or working it out with just you and Jesus take some time today to examine the relationships around you.
- Ask. Do you need to ask someone for forgiveness? Pray and ask God to reveal to you any hurt you may have caused others.
- Ponder. In this busy Christmas season take some time each day this week to reflect on the just how much you have been forgiven for. Then you can rejoice in the birth of our Savior even more!
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture, and our story to others?
- Do you know someone who is angry, bitter, or just deeply hurt? Share today's story with them of how Dong Yun Yoon was able to not only forgive but pray for someone whose actions resulted in much grief for his own life.
- If those around you are amazed by the incredible forgiveness displayed in today's story, share with them the story of God's ultimate forgiveness.
- Offer to pray with them if they need to forgive someone in their life. Or let them practice the conversation with you, if they need to ask someone for forgiveness.
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