Speaker
Description
Today the "apple-pear" is enlisted as a local specialty and geographic indication product of China Jilin Yanbian Korean Autonomous Region. This species of apple-shaped pear was believed to be brought by peasants from Northern Hamgyong Do in Korea by late 1800s. With natural history approaches this species hardly prove any close relationship with Northeast Asia's local Pyrus spp. but indicates a closer link with American cultivated garden fruits. Across the Yellow Sea, or the West Sea in a Korean context, American Presbyterian missions helped people in Chefoo, Shandong to cultivate fruits including pears, apples grapes and cherries, while the missionaries such as John Levingston Nevius has shown an intensive record of evangelistic and Christian community supportive services in both China and Korea. Thru an investigation with the help of historical geographic information system (HGIS), reconstructions of mission activities and species exchanges will be established then make explanations about the links between diaconia and agriculture, thus bring a link between mission and climate that brought together with the focal point of Korea, where now is recognized as an important birthplace of international Christianity workers.
