2009 Seoul International Convention - August 27 to 30,2009

The 2009 Seoul International Convention was held in Seoul World Cup Stadium from August 27 to August 30, 2009. There were a total of 4512 delegates from total of 24 countries. The largest delegates was from Japan where they had 2800 delegates and they have their own full program in Japanese without a translation. Other languages such as Mandarin and English was translated by radio FM frequency . 1826 delegates had homestay with the local publishers and there were 8858 volunteers. The attendance on the final day was about 59,000 and 539 got baptized. From Malaysia and Singapore we have a total of 440 delegates . 210 from Malaysia and 230 from Singapore. There were 6 groups each from Malaysia and Singapore. There were 4 groups of a total of 133 while the other 2 groups left earlier. Group A = 34, Group B =33, Group C = 30, Group D = 36 . We depart from Malaysia on August 25 at 1145pm by Korean Airlines. The flight took 6 hours. Korea is ahead by 1 hour . We arrive at about 730am. When we arrive at the Airport we were greeted by a group of Korean publishers who were there to welcome us . The sisters were dress in their traditional Korean costume. From the airport , we went to the Gimpo Assembly Hall which is about 1 hour drive by bus. When were arrive , we were given a warm welcome and met with our host. We were also given a performance by the Korean sisters who play the traditional musical instrument and sang kingdom songs in English, Korean, French, German, sign language. After that we return to our host home. The temperature was about 24”C to 30”C during the day time while at night it is cooler .

The special highlights were the program reports from other countries where the branch representative from some countries gave experiences from their countries and during the start and after the experiences, the group of delegates will stand up and wave their hands to the audience. Also, in the last day of the convention after the program ended at 4pm , the 6 new kingdom songs were play and everyone wave at each other . It was indeed very touching and emotional. I heard one experience from a elderly British brother who now stay in Malaysia . He said , after the convention when the 6 new songs were play and the publishers were waving their hands ,a black sister from USA was so touch and hug him and cried.

I did not have a partner and stay alone with a single 42 year old brother. He did not speak much English so we have some challenge talking to each other. He had to use his handphone dictionary to check the words and call a translator by phone. At night , his congregation prepare a welcome gathering for me at the Kingdom Hall. Their congregation had about 75 publishers. The young children and a group of publishers sang kingdom songs and they interview me. During the next few days , after the convention , there were some publishers who treated me for a meal at some Korean Restaurant. On the last day, my host invited about 3 brothers to his small home for a little gathering. I was happy and surprise to met 1 Japanese brother whom I met 2 years ago when I went to Japan and stay with him. I lost touch with him as he did not reply my email. Another Japanese brother took off his tie and gave it to me.

After the convention on August 31, 2009, Monday , we went to tour the bethel in the morning. We were divided to a group of about 10 people and there were Korean publishers who were our tour guide and show us around the bethel. After the branch, we started our tour of Korea. The places we visited in Korea are the following :
31 August 2009 Monday – Hwaseong Fortress
1 September 2009 Tuesday - MBC Studio ( Korea drama “ Jewel In The Palace” shooting place ) and Namiseong Island ( Korea drama “ Winter Sonata” shooting palace )
2 September 2009 Wednesday - Namsangal Hanok Village , Korean Folk Village ( Try Korean Tradional Costume), Kimchi Museum ( Learn to make own Kimchi) , Dongdaemun Market for shopping.
3 September 20089 Thursday - Kyong Palace ( Build in 1934) , Folk Museum , Blue House, Ginseng Center, Amethyst Factory , Myeong Dong & Insadong for shopping , Han Gang River Cruise .
4 September 2009 Friday - DMZ ( Imjing and Freedom Bridge) , Jeju Island - Jeju Museum of Folklore and Natural History.
5 September 2009 Saturday - Dragon Head Rock ( all lava formation , lies on the coast just west of Jeju) , Sunrise Peak , Cheonjiyeon Waterfall , Songup Folk Village , Mystery Road.
6 September 2009 Sunday – Depart for home .