North Korean's suffering people . . .

There is much evil in the world perpetrated by mankind, often by despotic governments and tyrannical rulers against their own people. I have often, for example, written on this Blog about one of the greatest despots of modern times, Robert Gabriel Mugabe, responsible for the mass murder of hundreds of thousands of his citizens either by ordering their deaths or by starving them to death as a punishment for daring to oppose him. Another such evil is the communist regime in North Korea. Spare a thought for the people in that nation who continue to suffer under their communist rulers. The Dictator, Kim Jong Il, ranked as one of the most brutal dictators in the world, is portrayed as a god to the people of North Korea, even though millions starve due to his policies. I Was Hungry provides food for North Korean followers of Christ ... all of whom are enemies of the state.

The above picture shows someone scooping corn which was supplied by Heaven's Family as part of their Food Aid programme.

The following report that has come to me from Heaven's Family, a Christian organisation committed to helping the poorest of the poor.

Due to rampant inflation, a few months ago North Korea’s regime devalued the national currency by 100 to 1, effectively vaporizing the savings of its citizens. North Koreans were required to trade old currency for new, turning in old 1,000 won notes for new 10 won notes. Because of an exchange cap of 100,000 won per family, anyone holding old notes, worth a little more than about $700, have lost virtually everything. Our contacts inside North Korea have indicated that the whole nation is grieving to an extent not seen in many years.

Many struggling North Korean Christians—already set back by dwindling government food rations—had been saving as much extra cash as possible over the summer months in order to subsidize their family’s food needs through the lean winter. In light of the catastrophic currency devaluation, they wondered how they would survive the winter.

The North Korean government has also cracked down on the once-tolerated underground markets, where most North Koreans purchase their emergency food rations.

Ironically, the harsh winter season created a unique opportunity for us to meet the pressing needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ who are struggling for survival in North Korea. Extreme cold froze the border rivers, which became a firm pathway for food aid couriers.

Your gifts have been saving North Korean Christians from starvation this winter. Every week secret food aid delivery missions are being carried out. The families who are being served "send their jubilant thanks with grateful hearts filled with new hope." Thanks so much.