Korean missionary?s passing mourned; becomes first westerner to donate organs
by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor
Linda Freel, 52, a Korean missionary, suffered a brain aneurysm while teaching a class at the International Christian School in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province. Her husband Rex, who grew up in Millersburg, was the director of the school.
Freel collapsed last Thursday during a class and was sent to the Uijeongbu St. Mary?s Hospital. A day later, following through with Linda?s wishes, the family decided to have her organs donated after her death.
Linda was taken to Seoul St. Mary?s Hospital for the operation. She passed away Saturday. The transplant immediately took place, with two patients suffering from kidney disease each receiving a kidney and another receiving her liver. Her corneas were given to two patients on Monday, stated a Korea Times article.
?THE KOREAN people are amazed that someone would do this for them when the majority of Koreans would not think about doing this themselves,? stated Rex in a mass e-mail to family and friends over the weekend. Linda is believed to be the first westerner to donate organs to Koreans.
The family has been told that five people?s lives were saved and that about 100 burn victims will benefit from skin grafts. ?I was able to tell people that Linda and I had a goal to be able to extend people?s lives long enough for them to hear about Jesus and His gift of eternal life,? stated Rex.
The Minister of Health stopped by to pay his respects, while the mayor of Uijongbu (Pop. 500,000) sent flowers, as did the Democratic Party, Rex stated. ?Several hundred people stopped by to pay their respects.?
The Freels first went to Korea 14 years ago and have been working for the school. They had received support from area churches, including the Ocqueoc Baptist Church. Rex is the son of the late John and Gertrude Freel. ?Rex and Linda have a special connection with Ocqueoc Baptist Church,? stated Rev. Ken Marsh. ?Rex grew up in the church and has been supported by it since he and Linda first went to the mission field.
?Needless to say, our members were saddened to learn of Linda?s death and have been in prayer for the family,? he added. ?Knowing from the Word of God that Linda is with her Savior in Heaven gives us comfort. It is natural to wonder why would God would allow this to happen to one who is faithfully
Marsh said the church will be taking up a special love offering to send to Rex, as the airfare costs to Rex were about $6,500 to fly their children to Korea. ?Our church family seeks to minister to our missionaries as they minister for the Lord,? said Marsh.
Her funeral was broadcast live on the Internet earlier this week. Anyone who wants to view it can go to the Web site www.ics-ujb.org. She will be buried with her mom and dad in Cambridge, Ohio.
The Korea Times article can be found here: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2011/01/178_80340.html