God of life, lead us to gender-justice and peace.

Not knowing what to expect I went to BEXCO, the conference center where the WCC 10th Assembly is taking place. I had got the information that the bus should leave at about 9. The bus was to take us to a Lutheran church service. Well, that did not materialize (as people often say in South Africa!) Instead the bus left after 10 and brought us to a Presbyterian Church Service, which started at 11. That was still OK. In the bus we were supposed to be 29 (according to the list of the guiding team) but we were only 13. (This made me a bit sad, because the Korean churches have really walked the extra mile with us and when we don’t stick to our promises, this is unfortunate.) But we who were in the bus were, as usual, treated with such a wonderful hospitality.

In every church we have visited they have
a large screen. And usually men are in charge.

The church we attended was the GUDUK Presbyterian Church. (The Presbyterian church is the biggest denomination in South Korea). We got a translation of the sermon before the service. Based on Isaiah 6:1-8 Pastor Yoon preached about our talents: To see with spiritual eyes, to hear with spiritual ears and to be used by God – using spiritual lips.

The service was short. Only 1 hour. A good choir sang, accompanied by an orchestra. Behind the pastor a big screen which was used though out the service. For instance during the announcements.

After church we had lunch. Traditional Korean food. Nice! And after that a cup of cappuccino in the Church café. (Or Latte, for those who preferred that). After only five minutes we had to rush to the next attraction. Busan Modern History Museum. A lot about the Japanese occupation. It is really an open wound.

From the museum of to the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. Situated not on a hill but near the sea. It was a beautiful scenery. And some interesting aspects of this type of Buddhism. For instance the “Buddha of Granting a Son”.

On this tour were people from Indonesia, Germany, Norway and Sweden. The Swedish part was in majority. I enjoyed the company of the young participants from Church of Sweden youth. But I also enjoyed talking with Henriett Hutabarat Labang, who is the General Secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia. She made me aware of the absence of a “Buddha of Granting a Daughter”. The theme of this assembly could also have been:

God of life, lead us to gender-justice and peace. 

Due to up-coming exams in Korea
the temple was crowded.

The temple was situated at the sea. Beautiful.