During the January break from our regular Elim Community semester cycles, 14 attendees gathered for a special three-day Traditional Korean Calligraphy class. For many of our North Korean refugee students, this was the very first time they had ever held a traditional brush.
The experience was a journey of discovery. While some students initially found the structured, rigid nature of the art form difficult or even a bit tedious, the atmosphere quickly shifted. For most, the two-hour sessions flew by in what felt like moments. Students found themselves deeply concentrated, uncovering a hidden talent for an art form they had never dared to try before.
Powerful Strokes and New Confidence
The transformation was visible on the paper. Carmela, an Elim House alumni participating in Elim Community classes for the first time, discovered a natural strength in her technique. Seeing her brush strokes come out with such power gave her a surge of confidence. She shared in her excitement a desire to purchase her own materials to continue practicing at home.
By the final session, the improvement across the board was undeniable. The initial shaky lines had evolved into more confident, fluid styles.
Stories Shared Between the Lines
As the ink dried, stories began to flow. The class became a space for more than just art:
A Journey of Faith: Counselor Lee from a local Hana Center returned to us in good health after completing chemotherapy. She shared how her faith and her love for art helped her overcome the rigors of treatment.
A Connection to Home: Ms. Ma opened up as she shared that it was her mother’s birthday. She spent her morning making potato rice, a dish her mother always made for her, and tearfully recalled her mother’s enduring love.
Longing for Family: Ms. Hwang spoke of the daughter she left behind, sharing how she greets her daughter’s photo every single morning and evening. Her story ended with a prayer for reunification within her lifetime, so she might one day visit her hometown again.
Men’s Support: A male acquaintance joined Elim Community for the first time at the suggestion of one of our regulars. Curious about our work, he asked a lot of questions about the various ways Crossing Borders offers support and community to both North Korean men and women, candidly sharing that he wished we offered more services targeting men.
The Living Word
Counselor Oh from the Eastern Hana Center noted that many North Korean defectors find "dynamic" activities like calligraphy, where you are physically engaged with the movement of the brush, more engaging than static lessons.
As their skills improved, the instructor introduced various styles and phrases. Based on student suggestions, their final project incorporated Bible verses into their art, blending the beauty of the word with the power of the brush.
