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But the regime's sticky fingers may weaken these efforts, says Tim Mercer, Nazarene field director of the Korea National District and a 30-year missionary in South Korea.

"Reliable sources here in the South," Mercer says, "indicate that not all the money given for noodle factories really ends up there." As a show of what donors help provide, he says, North Korean officials present them with pictures of a noodle factory that it passes off as many such plants. "The money is then diverted to other purposes," Mercer says.

Pastor Lee also suggests smuggling Korean Bibles into China. "I met a Korean man doing evangelism in China to North Koreans," Lee says. "He said they don't have enough Bibles, so each person tears out one page of a Bible to share it."

Mercer again cautions, though, that such efforts can backfire. "We have to remember," he says, "that any Bible or portion thereof found in the possession of a person returning to North Korea will condemn them to death."

Word on the ground, Mercer says, is that Scripture is imported into North Korea orally—"via one's memory, a few verses at a time."

Gregg Chenoweth is professor of journalism at Olivet Nazarene University. Tricia Miller is a congressional intern for Rep. Jerry Weller (R.-Ill.).

To contribute to North Korean refugee relief, contact:

• Korean Peninsula Peace Project 11901 E. 176th St., Ste. 144 Artesia, CA 90701. dougeshin@yahoo.com
• Save North Korean Refugees Inc. 737 Amsterdam Avenue New York, NY 10025 212.749.3790 content@snkr.org

Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today.Click for reprint information.

Yesterday Christianity Today posted a firsthand account of escape from North Korea The Nightmare of North Korea | One man's story of brutality, courage, love, and freedom.

Other Christianity Today articles on North Korea include:

Criminal Faith | Going nuclear, North Korea allows worship only of its dictator. (July 08, 2003)

Helping Refugees Run Roadblocks | No nation wants North Koreans, but Christians rally to their cause. (March 17, 2003)

Fleeing North Korea | Christians among the thousands making their way to China. (Oct. 7, 2002)

Persecution Summit Takes Aim at Sudan, North Korea | Christian leaders issue second "Statement of Conscience." (May 2, 2002)

South Koreans Help Neighbors (Aug. 9, 1999)

Famine Toll Exceeds 1 Million (Oct. 5, 1998)

Editorial: North Korea's Hidden Famine | The poor and the weak should not have to starve due to the policies of their government. (May 19, 1997)

Evangelicals Plead for Korean Aid (April 7, 1997)

Bearing the Cross focused on North Korea in 2001.

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October 2004, Vol. 48, No. 10