Ignorance is not bliss. It is ignorant. As the saying goes.
By not making yourself aware of the evil of this world, you are ignoring the plain facts that there are people out there in pain, tortured, wrongfully convicted, and have no love to comfort them in their desperate time of need, because they have never even witnessed love.
What has made me think this way recently? North Korea and their camps full of thousands of people who stand nearly no chance of ever escaping. In the past few weeks, I don't think I have ever prayed more for strangers that are across the world who are dying everyday due to starvation, malnutrition, forced hard labor, and for being a Christian.
How can there be so much hate in the world for our fellow human beings, that we would treat them lesser than a slave, lesser than animals, not worthy to ever know anything about the beauty of life, love, hope, Jesus Christ, and God? How can others, like me, sit in our comfortable homes, with food in our refrigerators, blankets to cover us, and t.v. to watch comedies and love stories? While others don't know what it is like to have full stomachs, televisions that expresses happiness and life, and family who they trust and can confide in?
I finished a book called Escape from Camp 14 by the journalist Blaine Harden, who wrote about the escapee Shin Dong-hyuk, who was actually born in a prison camp. The details that are written in this book are truly harrowing. I told myself frequently while reading the book that this could not possibly be true. Though it really is. Shin was "bred" by the guards, who hand picked his mother and father. They granted Shin's father marriage because he had done something very well and pleasing, and they rewarded him by allowing him to marry a stranger. Thus, Shin was born. Shin grew up never knowing what it felt to be loved, he trusted absolutely no one, and referred to his "friends" as companions, whom could snitch on him at any moment. Not to mention that he would also snitch on his companions.
I won't reveal everything in the book, because I hope that whoever comes across this blog with buy it, whether for their nook, kindle, or whatever other way people read things nowadays. Below I will post a video that Shin and the journalist are in that talks about the book and the hardships that Shin had to endure and is still enduring to this day. It was just posted a few days ago, so this video is very recent as of today.
I pray to God that He would have justice on North Korea, while still having mercy. I pray for mercy on the government people, guards, and interrogators. I pray that not only will the people of North Korea and those in the camps be saved by Jesus, through deep love and rest for their souls, but I also pray for this for the people who beat these helpless, hopeless people as well. Everyone is just trying to survive over there and are doing whatever it takes to keep themselves alive.
I hope that America will take action and not see that the main issue of North Korea are its weapons, but human rights as the main issue. I'm not foolish and naive enough to know that there are certain politics that occur that keep us from helping NK. I understand it. I know the problems that will arise once the Korea's become one. I get it, but isn't it worth it? Human life is precious, and there are more important things than selfishness and greed. It is time that something be done about this and let freedom be won.
I said earlier in this post that the more I become aware of the world, my happiness become selfishness. This inspiration came from Shin, because now that I know about NK and the evils inside of it. I feel selfish and guilty that I am so safe. I am so blessed to have running water, loving friendships and family, a bed to curl up in and a t.v. to watch until I fall asleep. I have a car that I bought with my own money. I can buy food whenever I want it. If I want chocolate, I go get it. If I want new clothing, I buy bags of it. I have multiple shoes for every occasion and still I feel it's not enough. I get to choose when I go to sleep, or when I want to wake up. If I wake up sick one day, I can choose not to go into work that day. I have it all. I have it so easy. I don't have to fake my happiness, because I have every reason to be happy. I have God to comfort me, and Jesus to take all of my burdens away.
I pray the same for all people, not just NK, to know God, to know Jesus, and be set free. To be consumed with the overwhelming love that He so freely gives us. The world must know who He is, so that we can find peace, love, and hope.
Here are some website if you are interested in learning about NK, the defects, and what others are trying to do save the North Koreans:
Daily NK News
Story about Shin
Alpha Relief
