Lee Jong-rak is pastor of Jesus-Loving Union Church in Seoul. He created the Baby Box: A drop box in the side of his home with a sign that reads, "Place to leave babies." Inside is a thick towel to cushion the babies, with lights and heating to keep the infant comfortable. When a baby is placed in the box, a bell rings immediately inside the home and the pastor, his wife, or staff associates move the baby inside.
According to official reports, about 600 infants or children are abandoned on the streets of Seoul each year, but the actual number is likely even higher. Of those abandoned, only about 20 percent are rescued while hundreds die on the streets. Pastor Lee intended the Baby Box to be temporary, but he says he will not close it until he is sure the government can offer adequate protection for abandoned babies. Many of the babies he has rescued have physical or mental challenges. He has personally adopted ten of them and is in the process of adopting four more.
One of the reasons Pastor Lee is so concerned about babies with challenges is because his own son was born with cerebral palsy. His son has been confined to a bed from birth and cannot communicate verbally. As a result of the family crisis, Mr. Lee turned to God and eventually became a minister. He and his wife named their son "Eun-man,"which means "Full of God's grace."
When reading about Pastor Lee and his Baby Box, I cannot avoid the obvious question: how do I respond to the challenges in my own life? All too often I respond with anger or denial, with anything but positive action. In other words, I tend to react rather than act. Reacting is a defense mechanism and is extremely self-absorbed. In contrast, acting is an offensive posture and is very others-oriented. Let my prayer become: "God, help me to be more like Pastor Lee and transform my hurt into healing for others."
(adapted from a news story posted in the "Denison Forum on Truth and Culture", June 3, 2012)
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