31. Language of Sharing Happiness!

31. Language of Sharing Happiness! To prepare for the opening of the “Happy Sharing Shop,” my wife and I visited “Molisha” again after a long time. When we tried to pass through immigration, the officer said that since our previous visa had expired, we needed to get a new one, and they could only give us a one-week stay. Although one week was enough time to discuss the “Happy Sharing Shop” with my missionary son, I felt a bit disappointed. So, I discreetly presented the medal and certificate of knighthood awarded to those who have contributed to the country. The immigration officer stood up and respectfully greeted me, saying, “Thank you for your service!” Without further ado, they stamped the maximum stay period of three months allowed by immigration laws and regulations. I expressed my gratitude to the officer, collected my luggage, and proceeded to the arrival hall. In the arrival hall, my son Yehun, his wife, and their children—an 8-year-old granddaughter, a 6-year-old grandson, and a 4-year-old youngest granddaughter—were waiting to greet us. We joyfully reunited, hugging each grandchild and giving them gifts, and then headed to my son’s house after embracing my son and daughter-in-law. Since we arrived late at night, we could only start talking about past events with my son the next morning. Fortunately, the ministry was going well without any major issues, and it seemed to be becoming more solid. We then discussed the “Happy Sharing Shop.” The “Barnabas Foundation,” where I serve, decided to open the first overseas “Happy Sharing Shop” in “Molisha.” We looked for a suitable location for the shop and considered products to share, such as coconut oil in small bottles. We also estimated the initial rent, shop preparation and repair costs, signboard costs, and staff salaries, and I informed my son about the list and quantity of items to be supported. Knowing the circumstances of the missionary, the preparation for the “Happy Sharing Shop” was easily coordinated. I contacted Sam to inform him of our arrival in “Molisha” and arranged to meet both families for dinner two days later. Since Sam lived far away, he offered to send a helicopter in the afternoon, and we agreed. The next morning, my son and I went to the office early. We checked a vacant shop near the office, found it suitable, and signed a lease agreement with the owner. We were given a one-month grace period for construction, with the lease starting the following month. We paid one month’s rent in advance and a two-month deposit, and received the keys. We then ordered furniture to display the items in the shop and ordered the signboard. By the afternoon, we had prepared most of the necessary items for the shop. In the evening, I invited old friends and acquaintances to dinner at our house, and they all came as promised. We enjoyed a delicious dinner, thanked them for the kimchi, and explained the “Happy Sharing Shop” ministry, asking them to help promote it and support my son in various ways. The next day, we prepared to meet Sam. After lunch, we headed to the military base to take the helicopter to the presidential palace. During the flight, my grandchildren looked down with a mix of fear and curiosity. Watching them, I also felt a bit dizzy looking down. I remembered my time in the military, flying helicopters and serving as a proud platoon leader in the special forces, handling special missions. Now, I felt the weight of age and the fleeting nature of life. After about an hour of flight, we arrived at the helipad of the presidential palace. Sam, his wife Nana, their 12-year-old son Teddy, and their 9-year-old daughter Henny were waiting to greet us. The children were excited to see each other after a long time, running around joyfully. Both families shared a long-awaited dinner together, laughing and sharing stories from Korea and “Molisha.” During the pleasant time, Sam mentioned he had a concern but wasn’t sure if it was appropriate to discuss it there. I encouraged him to share, and he hesitantly explained that as he and Nana grew older, they found themselves arguing more often. Nana looked surprised, but Sam continued, saying that when they argued in “Molisha,” everyone understood, so they naturally switched to arguing in Korean. However, their children also understood Korean, so they realized their parents were arguing. Sam jokingly blamed me, saying that if they hadn’t learned Korean or met each other, they wouldn’t be arguing, so I was responsible.Feeling a slight sense of responsibility, I replied: “There’s a problem with that statement. First, you and Nana came to me to learn Korean, so it’s not my responsibility. Second, I didn’t teach you enough Korean to argue. Third, I didn’t tell you to date each other; you met and fell in love while studying in Korea. And fourth, if it continues to be a problem, I can help you forget Korean, so you won’t argue in Korean anymore.” Sam and Nana asked how, and I quietly said: “After dinner, come to me and bow your heads. I’ll give you a strong chop on the back of your heads. That will clear your minds, and Korean will disappear, so you won’t argue in Korean anymore.” Everyone burst into laughter. Sam then raised his voice and said: “Teacher! You threatened the president! You’ve insulted the president, so now you’re in trouble. I’ll have you arrested immediately.” He stood up as if to call someone, and I raised my hand and said “Wait a minute! First, if I insulted the president, there must be someone who heard it as evidence. But since we spoke in Korean, the attendants here wouldn’t understand what we said. Sam’s family, being family, cannot be considered valid witnesses, and my family would be on my side. Therefore, without evidence, this is not guilty!” Suddenly, my wife stood up and shouted,  “I heard it!” Then, one by one, from the eldest to the youngest, the children stood up and said,  “I heard it too!” “Me too!” Me too!” I found myself in a difficult situation. I couldn’t help but say, “ Wow, have I been sleeping with the enemy all this time?” Just then, Nana stood up and said, “This is the first I’ve heard of it.” Teddy and Henny also stood up and said, “Me too!” “Me too!” Sam then exclaimed, “ Wow, have I been sleeping with the enemy all this time?” I regained my confidence and continued, “Since the testimonies of the two families are conflicting, these testimonies cannot be accepted as valid evidence.” Everyone burst into laughter, and we forgot how late it was getting. After spending a joyful time with Sam’s family, I returned to “Koki City” and finished all the preparations for the “Happy Sharing Shop.” With a few days of free time left, I decided to make the most of this opportunity to spend quality time with my grandchildren, as we don’t often get to be together due to living in different countries. I planned to shower them with love, taking them to the island for water play, buying them delicious treats and toys at the shopping center, and making up for the time I had been away as a grandparent. The children were thrilled to enjoy the love and attention from their grandparents after such a long time. As the time to return to Korea approached, I planned to organize and send the items to stock the shop. During the opening service of the first overseas branch, I would bring the board members to join in the meaningful start of the ministry and spend another joyful time with the children.