New Korean Experiences

1. working in slippers
2. sleeping in till 11 every day
3. little old ladies yelling out, "Beautiful!" as I pass by on the street
5. bowing bowing bowing
6. metal chopsticks
7. eating on the floor like it aint' no thang
8. strange stains on your pants from having to eat over your crossed legs
9. kimchi and tamoochi are staples to any meal...obviously
10. stopping children in their tracks and leaving them arrested in awe as the Migook (American) passes by
11. learning that sometimes a good substitute for not knowing the language is a nice toothy smile that can get you just about anywhere or anything

Miss Independent

In coming to Korea I was a ready for anything, confident in my Lord, His calling, and the understanding that He would flip Korea upside down through me. Well, eight months later, Korea is still right side up and I have found myself, on several occasions, throwing my hands up in complete defeat and utter frustration crying, "I know You called me here, but WHY?"

I had some big time grown up lessons coming my way.

Growing up in America I was taught through my culture and my world that independence, self sufficiency, was a good thing and something to strive for. The question was never if it was good or bad but rather, how much are you going to work for it?

Well in coming here to a culture that thrives on communal living, whose backbone is one another, my eyes were opened just a bit and for the first time I began to question whether my fierce independent spirit was admirable or not. I began to see how it has the potential to alienate in moments created to form bonds and how it possessed a degree of selfishness I'd dare not admit to if only in a casual and sarcastic conversation...

It's never black or white (except for that very statement of course) and so slowly but surely I learned how to let go of my very confident "I can do it, leave me be" attitude and yet still maintain a healthy level of self-sufficiency. I can now, more than ever, allow others to help me, teach me, mold me, humble me, and build me up. My Independence runs deep though. Being American it feels like its embedded in the threads of my DNA and so I press on with much gratitude towards those who've provided the Christ-like patience in teaching me.

That's My King

A Visit and a Wedding

In October my wonderful director Yoshiko Hanks of Grace International Ministries (the missions organization I came to Korea through) and her missionary friend Christine came to visit us here in Korea. This was our first time meeting in person! We had a terrific time and I am eagerly anticipating her return in May. She is a solid Christ follower and has a real heart for the lost and thus, an even bigger heart for her missionaries. I am so blessed to have her in my life. (From L to R is Oh Cho Rong, the other teacher at our school and my roommate, Yoshiko Hanks, and Mrs. Kang, my school director and Korean mom who is also Cho Rong's mom).

In November I was privileged to attend Mrs. Kang and Cho Rong's family wedding. I was excited to experience a traditional Korean wedding but as it turns out most Korean woman want to wear the big and beautiful white wedding gown (and who could blame them) so the wedding was actually very Western. One difference though was that as the wedding ceremony was going on there were people sitting quietly in their fancy banquet chairs paying attention but there were also a lot of people standing in the back of the banquet hall chatting up a good time. At times I couldn't hear the preacher because they were being so loud! Cho Rong said that was very common for Korean weddings but we decided that when we get married to our super awesome husbands all eyes will be on us.

Though it was very Western some key Korean traditions remained like what some people wore and the tradition of the mother in law throwing chestnuts into the lap of the new bride so as to wish the couple many children.

I actually got to spend the entire day with the bride, the groom, and the bride's sisters and husbands. Talk about privileged! We had a good time eating, laughing, and relaxing. I am very blessed to have been given the Korean family I have and they fill my heart with so much joy. God is good ya'll. More to come later. Peace and love from up above.

Getting Involved

My school director (and most recent role model) attends the church, Yesan First Methodist Church, which is only a stone's throw away from my apartment. I have joined the church and have slowly but surely been integrated into their world. It's interesting how a Korean Methodist church is different from the American Methodist churches I'm familiar with. The Korean church has the same traditions but they focus more on the Holy Spirit.

I help with one of the three children ministries at 9am. Recently, Cho-rong and I have been teaching them Jesus Loves Me in English. We attend the 11am service and it is kindly translated for me and the two other English speakers via headsets. I appreciate that so much!

Last Sunday we had a Thanksgiving Festival and as a thank you for helping out the college pastor, Pastor Chay, treated us all to dinner and coffee. It was there that I got to know a guy who is involved in his college's Campus Crusade for Christ ministry. He told me that they were going to America next year for one year to study English and minister to people. I was very excited to hear the news and told him that I would love to start an English Bible study so as to prepare them for their trip. Please join me in praying that this will happen.

Also, please be praying for the school I'm working at, Jung Chul Language School Junior. My director and I pray together almost every morning for our 50 or so students and their families. We want to see them come to know Christ personally and Mrs. Kang has had the opportunity to introduce several families to the Lord through Jung Chul. Pray that I am a Godly and positive influence on the children and that they see Christ in who I am and how I act as a teacher.

Lastly, please be praying that I am consistent in studying Korean. I want so badly to converse with people but the language barrier creates an obvious difficulty and it's up to me to break that barrier. Thankfully though, we know that God is above language and if the heart is right He can still use me even though I don't know the language.

Thank you for all your prayers and support. Your love and encouragement have meant the world to me. I love you all. I do everything for and pointing to our sweet Jesus Christ Who is the Sustainer and the Victor.

Why I am who I am

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Jesus Christ our Lord."
Romans 8:38-39

Life in South Korea

Country of Residence: South Korea

My Province: South Chungchong
My City (well, kind of): Yesan (예산)
Population: 101, 000
Landscape: mountainous
Mode of Transportation: on foot

The Grand Tour of My Apartment

My apartment is in a good location. If I turn left out of it I am seven minutes from church and 12 minutes from downtown. If I turn right I am ten minutes from the grocery store and 25 minutes from school. I love all the walking I get to do.

The Grand Tour of My School: Jung Chul Language School Junior

The school is an after school tutoring school. Classes of 2-10 kids run from 2:30-7:20 and they are 50 minutes each. I teach five different levels of proficiency which I really enjoy because the job remains interesting. It has been a good challenge for me to learn how to use the books, teach the material, and run the class in an orderly manner. Like any new job I need to just be patient with myself and God will see to it that I am the best teacher I can be.

I work with my director, Mrs. Kang (the most Godly and wonderful woman) and the other ESL teacher, her daughter, Cho-rong (who is also my new best friend). Mrs. Kang has a huge heart for these kids to know the Lord personally and we are able to pray together every morning. The two of them have quickly become like family to me and I couldn't be more blessed.

More to come...love you all!