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 15th, 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, 1st and 2nd 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.
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