It never ends.

It never ends...moving that is. Well, I hope for the near future it has ended. This past weekend I finally moved almost all of my stuff that my friends were holding onto for me back to my apartment, or should I say dorm :) God truly has blessed me with wonderful friends who are gracious and caring. Like I said, I've moved almost all of my stuff, there are still a few things left down in Daegu that I'll retrieve in the next week or so.

In other news, I've found out about an English service here in Gumi, which I'll be going to see what it's all about. I'll let you know how it goes.

Two Weeks

This is a week late due to technical difficulty...

So, the past two weeks have been slow, yet, a blur. The night I arrived I unpacked everything and moved in, took some photos of the place and then went to bed. The next couple of days had me being escorted around by Professor Yoon (the man who hired me) and being introduced to staff members across campus and fellow English professors. Do I remember all the names...no. I remember a few, which is a starting point. I, also, had the privilege to meet the president of Kumoh National Institute of Technology (KIT). Apparently, he has been to Georgia and likes it, along with hiking. He seems like a real down to earth guy. I think this was all in the first couple of days.

The weekend I spent in Daegu with some friends and went to church...it was good to see everyone. I've been back to Dongshin Church the past two weeks; however, I'm not sure if I will be able to attend there regularly, seeing as it is far away and I'm positive God has me in Gumi for a reason. I'm not entirely sure what the reason is, but I'm prayerfully being mindful about doors that He opens.

Most of my time here has been spent getting acquainted with my local surroundings. I found the closest food store that has actual food, and not just snacks...it's only a 35 min. walk away. Keeps me from getting more than I need and gives me a good apatite for when I get back to my place. Speaking of my place, here are some photos of it.

Visit to America

Well, I was blessed to be able to spend almost two months back home and across America visiting friends and family. Reflecting on all the events and the good times, it just seems to have been too short. There is so much that I still would like to do and learn back in the states; however, God's got other plans for me here at Kumoh National Institute of Technology (KIT).

During my visit back to the states I got to surprise my father for Thanksgiving, see my best friend (Aubrey Rainer), visit my mom and aunt Suzie and cousin Coleman in TX, spend time with club brothers and my friends from Harding, go back to Harding to see peeps graduate and meet my friend's (Jared) fiancee.

I also got to hang and talk with my good friend Alex Push

kov and some other Russia friends. When I finally made it back to Georgia I was blessed to attend Warrior's for Christ and Siffu Allen's classes and meet all sorts of new and amazing people. Time was too short to get to know everyone as well as I would have liked, but I enjoyed the little time I did have.

I can't forget to mention that I got to see my brother Logan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Man, it was so great to spend Christmas weekend with him and his wife. I miss him a tun, and am a very proud older brother!!!

I'm also glad I got to hangout with Aubs, Shelby, Hannah, and Austin. Good times were had by all! I won't forget those games of Settlers of Catan, lol.

Now, I'm back in South Korea and have had a whirlwind adventure thus far with meeting different staff, the President of KIT, getting over jetlag (which has gotten me up at 1, 2, and 4am thus far), and getting my medical checkup. Now, it's time to start navigating the buses to get to Daegu and church and some pots to cook with.

A Short Time Left

Well, I only have just over a month before I will be heading back to America for a couple of months. This entire year I've not missed home very much, if at all. Maybe I'm just weird for not being homesick...who knows. Many teachers I know count down the days, some start the countdown after the first week they arrive, others later on. For me, I started it just this past week, and the shortness of my time left has me really excited. Not only am I excited about seeing friends and family, some of which I'll be seeing for the first time in 10+ years, but also, for the prospects that the new year and new job bring with them. I'll touch more on those prospects later.

Even with all this excitement, I am a little sad about leaving my friends and the orphans that I've had a chance to work with. I'm really going to miss them during those two months. Lord willing things will workout for me to see them when I get back in February.

I'm looking forward to seeing you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rob

A Teacher is Sick

Yesterday and today have been rough for us at work. Monica, one of the Korean teachers, has been sick with a stomach bug of some sort. This means that we've had to double up on classes and teach more than we are used to. Please pray for Monica to get better, not just cause it'd be nice to have her back at work, and for patience and energy for the rest of us for the rest of the day as we teach.

God is awesome!

Okay! So, for a while I've been praying about getting a job that will allow me to travel to Russia during the summer to work in camp. There are one of two real options to do this: work at a public school or a university. The public school position would be nice, yet the hours are just about the same as they are now, which would leave me with just about the same situation I'm in right now. The university position would be less hours, which would be better. So, I've been praying for a university position. God truly is awesome and should be praised, for he has answered my prayer!

Last week a member of my small group made the announcement that her cousin was looking for a university teacher for the spring semester. I told her I was interested and she set-up the interview for today. I was nervous, since I didn't know what to expect. However, God calmed my nerves and the interview went really well! So well, in fact, that I was offered the job on the spot!!! Isn't God amazing! I'm taking the next week to pray more about it, just to get a final word from the Father about it before I give my answer. I've learned from mistakes in the past that it is better to continue to pray about it, than to jump in without confirming with God. So, please join with me in praising God for His wonderful mercy and love, and for a firm confirmation that this is where I need to go next.

Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." So true!

In a Nutshell

Wow! Where to begin…these past few months seem to have flown by, and I look up to see I’ve only got less than THREE more months here before I come home for a break! In some ways there has been a lot that has happened between this time and the last time I wrote, but in other ways not a lot has gone on. God has been teaching me to trust Him more, and not rely on my own strength…a lesson I needed a reminder on. If you want details ask.

Since I last wrote, God’s placed me in a position at church as a coordinator for helping orphans at Shinsangwon Orphanage. I’ve been blessed to have a Korean lady by the name of Gloria assist me in teaching the kids, since my Korean is not very good. Gloria, a couple of church members, and I attend and work with another church’s members to teach the orphans English, play with them, love on them, celebrate birthdays and events with them, and most importantly share God’s love with them! Just last weekend, on the 15^th, we took them to a professional baseball game and watched probably the most exciting baseball game I’ve seen in years. The kids had a blast and took many good memories back with them, and they saw God’s love through us.

One thing that I witnessed while I was sitting with them and one of the women from the church I attend reminded me of how hungry they are for love. David, an orphan of about nine (in the photo with me), called out to my friend “Ohma!” which in Korean means “mom”. It’s not something that they say to many people, in fact, it was the first time I’d witnessed any of the orphans refer to any of us in such a trusting and loving way. My hope and prayer is that he and the others realize that the love they are receiving comes from the overflow of the love that Jesus has poured out for us. I ask that you keep these children in your prayers.

The orphans who joined us for the baseball game. (Gloria is on the far left with the hat)

This is David. The boy who doesn't have a mom.

Another thing that has happened outside of work is I’ve been on Korea’s version of PBS because I was learning Korean through my Tae Kwon Do class. It was an experience that was very sudden and exciting! But, it’s not something that words on paper can adequately describe. Let’s just say that I was able to share God with the camera man who followed me around for half of the day. I just pray the seed that was planted will be watered and not trampled on.

In work, there have been some very exciting and challenging things that have happened in the past couple of months, I just don’t know if I can recount them all. Probably the most exciting and challenging was finding out that teaching at the director’s other school was highly illegal and that they had lied to me about why I was there in the first place. I’ve had some very long talks with my director about this and no longer have to teach there, but the experience has taught me some very valuable lessons. Other exciting things that have happened at work, and these are more positive, are taking the kids to see Ice Age 3, harvesting potatoes that we planted earlier in the year, seeing the kids grow in their knowledge and usage of English, and watching them grow in general. It’s been a blast and I’ve come to enjoy teaching these kindergarten, 1^st and 2^nd graders. I know I’m not gifted for this age range, but I have enjoyed my experience with them. Please keep them in your prayers as God works in their lives.

God truly is awesome and works in many ways! I can’t stop praising Him for His mighty love and grace that He’s shown us!!! I set out to Korea thinking I was going to do so many things for God, yet God has reminded me that though I make my plans, He is the one who directs my path. Please pray that I continue to follow His direction for the remainder of my stay here this year. Also, please pray for my health as I’m apparently suffering from extreme muscle tightness in my back and legs. I’ve been going to a physical therapist for the past 3 weeks and I’m going to another doctor tomorrow to get a second opinion on what is going on. Well, there you have it, God’s journey for me in a nutshell.

Here are some more pictures from my life here in Korea:

A picnic/skating event with orphans.

Out with friends at a theme park.

A church picnic.