Hostages in Afghanistan

With 23 hostages-18 women- and one man already killed and possible second victim still in investigation...the world is watching closely the progress of this kidnapping incident as I type.

The politics, negotiations, should've, would've, could've are not my concerns here. I am concerned for those South Korean hostages and their families in South Korea helplessly praying at the moment. I heard through the media that the hostages, prior to their departure to Afghanistan trip, each have submitted the death-will to their church administration.

I am not a total stranger to such volunteer trips as myself have gone on couple of these. I went through an extensive preparation to raise the fund and was trained in culture, language, and people of the countries visited. The year I went on a mission trip to S.E. Asia in 1989, the original itinerary was altered due to the Tienanmen Square Protest and Massacre. Although many other such teams still pursued the trip to China that year, the organization which I belonged to at the time have decided that they could not risk any chances with over 40 college students on board.

The young medical volunteer team from S. Korea pursued the trip knowing the high risks they are facing. But, the church and its administrators may have been somewhat relaxed about the risks since they were actively volunteering in Afghanistan last few years-several times a year- and all returned safely prior to this incident.

Regardless, these volunteers went out of their way of comfortable lifestyle in S. Korea, highly aware of the risks they are taking with their own lives, and giving up their vacation time to help the needed in Afghanistan. All the criticisms on these volunteers and their church leaders ... would they have gotten the same criticism if there were no such incident and returned home safely as planned? The negotiation sounds like a catch 22 to me...

I read about the first victim, Pastor Bae, and his 37 year-old wife on the newspaper. She and I are about the same age. As she quietly cry to grieve for her late husband, I see the pain and suffering beyond and within. She could not fully grieve because of the concerns for the rest of the team members as well as the S. Korean media pressure. Taliban may have murdered her husband, but she is suffering twice because the media criticisms are keeping her grief as a hostage. Cannot imagine the amount of pain and suffering a widow is faced in this time of crisis. I symphathize her more so because she and I are on the same timeline of life-cycle.

The medias and the Netizens of S. Korea are very hostile toward the church and accusing them be responsible for everything. Sometimes, things happen against one's plan. It is a difficult time for all and the least anyone could do is to hope and pray for the best!