VOA News, Seoul, has posted this video about the Aijalon Mahli Gomes saga. It’s pretty well a wrap up of all that we know thus far, but with some commentary from a Pax Koreana spokesman. He says that “Such things are not done by mere mortals…” This is certainly worth watching… and thinking… about.
Aijalon Mahli Gomes saga: Not by “mere mortals”
Photo of Aijalon Mahli Gomes
I don’t know whether the post is accurate, but the photograph appears to be authentic. It comes from the “Free Robert Park” blog, where the story line includes this:
Robert Park will be on hunger strike at the nearest place to the White House in Washington, DC, beginning sunrise on March 25th, for the release of his friend and brother in Christ, Aijalon Gomes. He begs President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton to intervene on Mr. Aijalon Gomes’s behalf.
If it is true, perhaps Robert Park will soon speak out concerning his recent ordeal as a North Korean detainee. The blog also says that Robert and Aijalon Gomes are “closest friends.”
I feel confident about the photo because of this post on the ROK Drop site. It shows a different picture, but of what appears to be the same person, identified as Aijalon Gomes. That article also says that Robert Park and Aijalon Gomes are acquainted. Here are a couple of blips from ROK Drop:
A Boston man detained in North Korea is a quiet, devout Christian so concerned about an American missionary held in Pyongyang that he was moved to tears at rallies protesting the communist regime, fellow activists said today… activists in Seoul said he was an acquaintance of Robert Park, a fellow Christian from Arizona…
It is a developing story, one that I certainly have no sway over. I am reminded of a maxim: Prayer is normally the last, but should be the first, thing we think of. Robert Park and Aijalon Gomes, I don’t know you, but I sure admire the depth of your convictions on behalf of humanity. May God continue to bless and keep you both. It may be that your reward in Heaven is considerably greater than what you have thus far endured on Earth.
Aijalon Mahli Gomes, Robert Park and Motivation
A current primary topic for me concerns motivation–how do I get myself to do that which I desire? This morning, I was proceeding along that trail and had arrived at a point where I was considering the importance of the strength of the desire. I recalled the maxim, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” That which we want badly enough will come to pass. I might want to get out of bed earlier each day, but have a hard time doing it. Set the house on fire, however, and you can get me on my feet at any hour.
It was then that I saw a news flash about an American, Aijalon Mahli Gomes, who is being tried in North Korea for illegal entry. “Who is he,” I wondered, “and what in the world is he doing trying to infiltrate North Korea?” I can’t answer that for certain, but a little bit of research gave me a few big clues. “Aijalon” comes from the Biblical book of Joshua. It is the place where Joshua defeated five kings–and where the Creator even stopped the progress of the sun and moon to help him. “Mahli” is a Biblical name, as well–a son of the house of Levi.
The next clue was the clincher. It is from a post left on a Korean website last August. It is a question about hair removal by someone who signs the post like this: “Love and God Bless, Aijalon G.” I don’t know about where you are from, but my experience is that “God Bless” is a buzz phrase for Christianity. Putting those, albeit slim threads, of information together, it would seem that the young American now imprisoned in North Korea went there on a Christian mission in support of the Gospel. This is pure speculation, of course. I could be way wrong.
A primary source of informationwas the ROK Drop site. The conclusion there is that Aijaon Mahli is another Robert Park–and that he is likely to “get the same treatment.” Now, that is disturbing. Robert Park (see photo) walked across a frozen river from China into North Korea on Christmas Day, 2009. Witnesses say that he was shouting, “I am an American citizen. I am bringing God’s love. God loves you.” Robert Park was carrying a letter to the North Korean Supreme Leader, Kim Jung-il, calling for human rights in the country. Here is a blip from a Reuters interview with Robert Park the week before he crossed over: [Read more...]
