During mid- November, I was traveling to Columbus, Ohio and I heard these words clearly: “Go to Seoul, Korea.” I wanted to know why Korea and I heard, “Prayer Mountain.” Suddenly, the light came on. I have always wanted to go to Prayer Mountain. Then I remembered hearing one of my mentors, Apostle Nina Marie Leslie’s words to me, “You should go somewhere in Asia, like Singapore.”
Later that evening I called Apostle Leslie and mentioned what I heard concerning going to Seoul, Korea. She was ecstatic and in total agreement. Miraculously, God blessed me with twice the amount I needed for my ticket within two days. I have often heard it said, where God guides, he provides. There is also a scripture that says, “"The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it." (Proverbs 10:22) Now, sometimes when we receive a blessing or a particular benefit from the Lord, as time progress, sorrow may be evident as a result of us getting that blessing or benefit. For example, in the bible, there was a woman who was barren and she did a kind deed for the prophet Elisha and he prophesied to her and told her that she would conceive and bare a son. Instead of rejoicing, she asked him not to lie to her. Well, long story short, she had a son, however, he died. She apparently was not happy about this and she went on a journey to find Elisha. She told him what happened and he was shocked to hear her words. So, probably feeling responsible, he went to the woman’s house and prayed and God restored the breath of life back into the woman’s son.
I said all of that to say that after a prophetic word or when a word from God to you has been spoken, there are times when you have to contend for the manifestation of your word.
The day that I was supposed to be leaving for S. Korea, (November 19), I awoke as planned at 5:30 a.m. but I could not move because I had strep throat and a fever of 101.5. I was achy, cold then hot… I felt horrible. I went to the doctor and whatever they prescribed made me feel worst. On the 21st, I went back to the doctor and had my medication changed. Within 45 minutes, I was feeling much better. I left for S. Korea on the 22nd because I was no longer contagious and felt great. Although I had been cleared to go by my doctor, I was sad because of my sickness, I missed service on Sunday (on the 21st) and I wasn’t going to have an opportunity to see or hear Dr. David Yonggi Cho at Yoido Full Gospel Church. My sister, Pastor Everine Hazell quickly set me straight by telling me that he was not the purpose of my trip. I heard her loud and clear!
I left my house at 6 am on November 22 and got to the place where I was staying in Seoul at 8:30 pm on November 23. Seoul is 14 hours ahead of my time which is Eastern Standard. So, it was 6:30 am (Eastern Standard Time) on Nov. 23rd.
Unbeknownst to me, on the day that I arrived in Seoul; North Korea had initiated artillery fire on South Korea. As I was being driven from the airport, I saw the conflict on the TV which was mounted in the (coach) bus, but I could not understand what was being said and I just thought that it was some military disturbance going on elsewhere. I want to think that God protected me from comprehending the potential danger that I was in at the time because there was something spiritual that I needed to get in Seoul.
When I got to Prayer Mountain the next day, it was worth every bit of struggle getting there. There are several services throughout the day. Like any typical American Pentecostal service, there is praise and worship and then there is the preached word. Immediately after the word, there is corporate prayer. Although I could not understand what was being sung or preached, when it was time for prayer they did so in their prayer language or “tongues” so I jumped right in and began praying.
On the first day, I was overwhelmed by amount of people assembled for prayer and I was blessed with the intensity of the prayer leaders. There were people in the audience who were also intense as well as people who prayed quietly.
I decided that I would just blend in and as I continued praying, I began to soar higher than I thought imaginable! It happened so quickly… I tapped into a flow of prayer that was surreal. I realized that something new was happening to me and I wanted to do what I knew to do to enhance that experience so I took out my Cedar of Lebanon anointing oil (from Israel) and I anointed my head as I continued to pray. I was totally enthralled by the feeling that was upon me, so again, trying to be spiritually correct, I got out of my seat and I knelt in reverence and gratitude to my Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.
After a long while of prayer, I tried to quiet myself because surly by now, God needed a chance to say something. I was taught and I have taught that if you are speaking, God won’t speak. However, that theory was blown out of the water because God so simply yet profoundly spoke to me while I was praying in my spirit language and I comprehended every word that was spoken. His presence was tangible and it stayed upon me for hours. I will never be the same!
During my second day at Prayer Mountain, I was so happy to join in the Praise and Worship portion of the service. I knew a lot of the songs that they were singing although I could not understand what they were saying. They sang a lot of hymns. Yet, I didn’t expect their choir to sing Andrae Crouch’s song, “My Tribute.” Although they sang it in an operatic style, I enjoyed it immensely. I began to think of the price Andrea Crouch had to pay to create such wonderful songs that have made him an international legend. Hearing that song gave me a renewed fervor to, “Press toward the mark for the prize of the HIGH calling of God in Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:14)
During the preaching, although I could not understand what was being said, I listened intently. I heard the speaker say the name of the North Korean leaders; Kim Jong II, and everyone began to pray fervently. After praying in the Spirit, I finally figured out that the bombing I saw on the first night was related to the North Korean leader. I further figured out that the military conflict involved South Korea.
Once the service was over, I had a “knowing” that if I attempted to get wireless internet service, it would work, and it did. I went to AOL.com and read the headline stories and saw nothing out of the usual. I then went to MSN.com and again, I saw nothing. Then I heard go to World News and when I did, I saw that South Korea was attacked by North Korea. I asked the Lord what I should do and He told me to maintain my focus.
The awesome thing about Prayer Mountain was this: I got blessed from the entire experience because I chased after God by participating in the various prayer activities and I fasted. There were also personal prayer grottos available if you did not want to pray corporately… what a blessing that was!
It was very cold and my flesh wanted to stay in my room and conduct my own personal prayer sessions, but I pushed myself for three days and it paid off handsomely!
Yoido Full Gospel Church sanctuary
Organ pipes
Pastor Mary who helped me
Outside view of church