Arrested for helping refugees in China, now this friar aids the poor in East Africa

In his early 30s, a South Korean immigrant arrived in the U.S. and decided to become Catholic. To symbolize a new life in Christ, he looked for a new name among the saints and chose Francis.  

“My birthday is October 4, and so I decided on Francis for my new name,” said Br. Francis Kim, OFM, a friar of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe. 

He yearned to learn more about his namesake and began to read books about him. 

“As I studied St. Francis, little by little, I began to fall in love with him,” said Br. Francis. 

His destiny began to unfold as he discovered his purpose in life: to become a Franciscan and serve the poor in the most remote areas of the world. This path, inspired by the missionary zeal of St. Francis, has led to both joy and hardships, including prison time in China.  

Meeting a Franciscan 

He had one obstacle to overcome before following in the footsteps of Francis. He had never met a Franciscan.  

He picked up the Yellow Pages – a printed telephone directory – in hopes of finding a Franciscan church in his hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts.  

“The lady who answered the phone said, ‘Oh, we are not a Franciscan church, but I know of one.’ Then, she gave me the phone number for St. Anthony Shrine on Arch Street in Boston,” said Br. Francis. 

He professed solemn vows in 1993 and was ordained a priest in 1996. Soon after, he started serving at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Midtown Manhattan, where he celebrated the parish’s first Korean Mass. While ministering to the growing Korean community there, he traveled overseas for his first mission trip.   

Br. Francis has been a missionary for 30 years. This video shows his heart for mission that includes building a new school and clinic in Madagascar and providing clean drinking water to villages in Kenya and Tanzania.

Feeding refugees in China 

He soon arrived in China to work on a farm and feed refugees. 

“North Korea had a famine, and a lot of people were starving to death. Helping North Korean refugees was illegal in China so I was arrested several times. I was even imprisoned a couple times, and then I was deported by the Chinese government,” said Br. Francis. 

He described prison as “terrible.” 

“I couldn't sleep or eat. We had about eight people in one small room together, and a bright light on us so they could watch us 24 hours,” said Br. Francis. 

He then traveled to Russia on mission trips to help North Korean refugees there. However, when that was no longer possible, he found new places for missionary work. 

For many years, he has been traveling to countries in East Africa, such as Tanzania, Kenya, Madagascar and Ethiopia. He has built schools and drilled wells for clean drinking water and irrigation. His work includes raising funds, hiring workers and supervising projects to ensure the plans are completed properly.  

“In Madagascar, people cannot even find muddy water. You need to travel all day long just to find five gallons of muddy water,” said Br. Francis. 

During his most recent mission trip to Tanzania this past January, he checked on a new well and a greenhouse built for friars who serve in the area. He also visited Kenya to see a project he helped raise funds for at a seminary in Nairobi. On his next mission trip, he is planning to visit Ethiopia to build wells and housing.

“It costs about $10,000 to drill one borehole for a well and that includes the pump. Once you make that, about three thousand people in a village will drink that water,” said Br. Francis. 

The funding comes from friends and donors in the Catholic Korean community. He also serves as a spiritual assistant to Korean-speaking Secular Franciscans in the U.S. and Canada. He has helped to establish about 30 different Secular Franciscan fraternities. 

Finding peace 

When he is not on a mission trip or leading retreats in the U.S., he can be found at a friary in New Jersey, spending time in prayer and fellowship. However, even at 76, he is vigilant not to become complacent. 

“I feel I must do something to help people. I saw the need in the beginning with the North Korean refugees, how people suffer from starvation, sickness, lack of water and lack of clothing,” said Br. Francis. 

“I find peace by praying and working. I need balance. I need both,” added Br. Francis, echoing similar words spoken by his namesake and inspiration, St. Francis of Assisi.