Horrific Tragedy at Virginia Tech - NKPC response

No words are adequate to respond to the tragedy at Virginia Tech last Monday (April 16). I'll try to share some thoughts in a day or two. At the moment, I want to simply grieve with the victims' families and pray that there will be no backlash against Korean and Asian Americans.

Here is a letter to President Steger of Virginia Tech from Rev. Myong Bae Choi, the Moderator of the National Korean Presbyterian Council of the Presbyterian Church, USA. It was given to me by ISAAC Board member, Dr. Young Lee Hertig. - Tim Tseng

April 17, 2007

Dr. Charles W. Steger
President
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA

Dear Dr. Steger,

We, the believing Korean American community lost words how to express our deep sorrow for the tragic shootings and sufferings that had occurred in your university community. As we are moaning with heavy hearts, we wish to extend our sincere condolence to grieving families that have lost their loving sons and daughters and the grieving VT student body that has lost dear friends and clasmates.

In the midst of wailing in broken heart we cry out to our merciful God to stretch out God’s caring hand to comfort and heal all those who are afflicted by the unfathomable tragedy. We are calling all of our Korean American congregations to have a vigil service to remember the victims and their families and to pray for the deliverance of the VT community and the nation from anguish of heart and brokenness of spirit. We also pray with all our heart and soul that God may strengthen your loving VT community with faith and hope so that it can soar out of the tragedy to become a great learning institution that helps people live with caring and loving hearts more than ever.

We hope to join in your effort to recover from the tragedy through memorial fund or other means as much as we can.

Sincerely,
Myong Bae Choi, pastor
Moderator
National Korean Presbyterian Council
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)