A bus full of South Korean Christians who saved money for years in order to visit biblical sites in Egypt and Israel were attacked Sunday by a suicide bomber.
Four people were killed in the bombing, including the Egyptian driver, a church member, and two South Korean guides. At least 14 others were injured, the Associated Press reports.
This is not the first time South Korean Christians have been the target of violence in a foreign country. In 2007, after a 43-day hostage situation left two South Korean missionaries dead in Afghanistan, South Korea subsequently banned citizens from traveling to certain majority-Muslim countries””which proved to be a blessing in disguise for Korean Christians.
This is a very sad story. In 2012 my wife and I along with friends were part of a 32-person tour of the Holy Land, sponsored by our Diocese, and we visited Jordan, the west bank territories and Israel, and felt perfectly safe. it was a powerful experience for all of us. We need to remember that this attack took place in Egypt — travel in Israel and the West Bank remains safe.