|
Since 2000 the Chos have focused their work on developing faith
communities for the Roma. ("Gypsy" is a pejorative term
for the Roma people.) The Roma, who probably originated in India,
moved into Iran and parts of Europe by the sixteenth century.
The status of Roma in Hungary society resembles that of the Dalit
("Untouchables") in India. The reality that the Roma
must face is not romantic, as it is often portrayed in Western
art and journalism. The plain fact of the matter is that the Roma
live without enough food, without basic health care, without access
to education, and often without shelter. They are often treated
as criminals and have been marginalized in Europe and in Hungary.
There are estimated to be about five million Roma in Europe, with
one to two million in Hungary alone.
Stephen and Kaeja have visited many villages of the Roma, especially
in the eastern area of Hungary. With the help of the RCH, the
Chos have attempted to establish the first Roma RCH church in
the small village of Hosszupalyi, about 250 kilometers east of
Budapest. Plans have been formed to buy land for a church building
there.
For the future leadership for the Roma, Korean-American congregations
affiliated with the PC(USA) and PROK are providing scholarship
for 19 children and the youth to attend elementary and high school.
Stephen and Kaeja were both born and raised in Seoul, Korea,
and are naturalized citizens of the United States. Both are graduates
of Han Shin Theological Seminary in Korea. Kaeja is also a graduate
of San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo, California.
Stephen is a minister member of Pacific Presbytery and Kaeja of
Redwood Presbytery.
After immigrating to the United States in 1980, Kaeja worked
for the Richmond Mental Health Center in San Francisco as a mental
health counselor. Stephen was the organizing pastor of the San
Rafael Korean Presbyterian Church. After six years at the San
Rafael church, Stephen became a ministerial consultant for the
Synod of the Pacific, and Kaeja became the pastor at the San Rafael
church for the next four years. When Kaeja went to Seoul to work
for the National Presbyterian Women of the PROK, Stephen returned
to the San Rafael church as interim pastor for a year. During
the four years prior to their appointment as mission specialists
in Hungary in 1997, Stephen was the pastor of Haeram Presbyterian
Church in Los Angeles, California. Kaeja joined him there as coordinator
of Christian education for two years.
Birthdays:
Stephen - October 24
Kaeja - October 15 |
