KAIROS - Waiting for God's Timing

While the city continues its busy rhythm outside, a group of people gathers at the Olive Tree Center with one desire: to see North Korean people reached with the love of Jesus.

Last Thursday, October 1, people from different countries, backgrounds and ages came together for the KAIROS meeting. The name comes from the Greek word used to describe God’s timing.

KAIROS stands for Kingdom Worship, Awareness of North Korea, Intercession, Relationship, One Spirit, and Serving. These six words describe not only the meeting itself, but also the posture of each one who is preparing to serve: worshiping, learning, praying, building relationships, and waiting faithfully.

After a time of fellowship and catching up, the group worshiped and prayed together. Then the room became quiet as a missionary shared experiences from ministry in China, specially the stories of North Korean women who had experienced human trafficking.

For many North Korean women who crossed into China looking for a better life, the journey led to serious exploitation. Traffickers have used false promises of employment and money to lure women across the border. Some have been sold into forced marriages or subjected to sexual exploitation or forced labor.

That evening, however, the women were not spoken of only through the hardships they experienced. Stories of women who, through Christ, encountered hope again were shared with joy. After experiencing loneliness, trauma, and exploitation, they found comfort, healing, and a renewed hope through their faith in Jesus.

Hearing these real stories changed the atmosphere in the room. The participants were reminded of the difficult realities faced by North Korean women, but also of the ways God works through people and circumstances that seem impossible.

It brought to my mind the words of the Apostle Paul, who wrote while imprisoned, “But the word of God is not bound.” — 2 Timothy 2:9.

For those gathered at KAIROS, this message carries a particular meaning.

There may be borders, political circumstances, distance, and many other obstacles between those who want to serve and the people they hope to reach. Yet the work of God is not limited by those obstacles.

The evening ended with hearts full of gratitude and with a renewed challenge to be bold for Jesus. Learning about what God is already doing encourages us to keep praying, keep learning, and keep preparing for the ministry ahead.

We may still be waiting for God’s timing, but waiting does not mean doing nothing. It means preparing, praying, worshiping, and trusting.

May the Lord continue the work He has begun in our lives and among North Korean, Chinese, South Korean, and people of every nation, bringing them together in His Kingdom.