Namdaemun Gate

Did you hear that someone burned down Namdaemun Gate. It was a national treasure. They'll rebuild it but so sad. I was just there this past Wednesday taking pictures in front of it. It was a 70 year old Korean man who was disgruntled about something that happened 10 years ago. Sad for Korea and sad for that man to be so bitter.

http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200802/200802130020.html

In Memory of James Longely, teacher

(James is on the right)

James came to our school last year. He was the fourth grade teacher. He worked so hard. He used to stay at work so late and he would come to school every Saturday. One time I saw his lesson book out on his desk-I think he was a perfectionist! Every square of his lesson plans was written in perfect pennmanship. I used to tease him that no wonder he was at school so much, it must take him forever to write out his plans. He would just smile.

I didn't know him that well. It has become evident that he was a man of prayer. While he was in the hospital these past two months they said he never asked for prayer for himself but constantly was praying for other: his students, the teachers, the parents.

Last night we had a memorial service at church and this morning we had one here at school for the school community. As was his goal, Christ was glorified here on earth and continues to be glorified in the testimony he left behind.

Today we closed with the song, In Christ Alone. Here are the words:

In Christ alone my hope is found,

He is my light, my strength, my song:

This Cornerstone, this solid Ground,

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

When fears are stilled, when striving cease!

My Comforter, my All in All,

Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless babe!

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones He came to save;

Till on that cross as Jesus died,

The wrath of God was satsified-

For every sin on Him was laid;

Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain;

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave He rose again!

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,

For I am His and He is mine-

Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,

This is the power of Christ in me;

From life's first cry to final breath.

Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no scheme of man,

Can ever pluck me from His hand;

Till He returns or calls me home,

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

Pudding

Did you know you can make pudding in the microwave? I had a pie crust and I needed pudding. I called my friend Susan to see if she had a pudding mix. She said no but she knew how to make pudding in the microwave. She gave me the recipe, I had all of the ingredients on hand, I tried it, and it worked! It was delicious. And it only took 8 minutes to make. It was the best pie. I didn't have anyone to share it with though. So sad.

Which reminds me of something else. The other night a friend told me my house was so "rotic". She's Korean so I wondered if she had a word wrong. The she tells me it means: romantic without the man. Do you get it? I thought that was kind of funny.

Church Christmas program antics

Wow, it's been a while since I've written. Instead of trying to catch up I'll just start with right now. I want to write about the Christmas program at church tonight.

About every 4 or 5 weeks I teach children's church and that's why I was at the Christmas program this evening. I was there to help with the kids. The program was really nice but I just have to share a couple of funny things that happened. It could have been scenes from a movie.

1. There was one boy who had on tan pants with black socks. His pants were kind of short, his socks showing, his hair was combed neatly and his suit jacket was totally buttoned wrong. It was such a little boy thing to do.
2. There was another little girl-one of our staff kids-that for whatever reason she kept falling over. She wouldn't get hurt but she fell over three times-face forward. I don't even know how she did it. I can't explain how she did this without hurting herself but you'll think I'm terrible but I was laughing so hard! And she also did the proverbial pulling her skirt over her head.
3. Then there was a little boy sitting next to me. I could tell he wanted to go to his mom. So I look back and the mom motions for me to take the little boy's sweater off because he was hot. So I start to take his sweater off but it won't go over his head. It was so tight. And I kept trying to get it over his head and it wouldn't go. And I was feeling so embarassed that I couldn't get it off. No matter what I did it wouldn't go over his head. And I didn't want to pull to hard because I was afraid I would hurt him. And the little boy was trying to help but he couldn't get it off either. I knew if anyone was watching me it was probably very funny. Finally the boy's mom comes up and she could barely get it off either. It struck me so funny.
4. This same boy is about three years old. He was so cute when he was on the stage. There was another little boy (15 months old) who kept trying to leave the stage but this little three year old boy would make sure he stayed on the stage.
It was a great program. Kids are the best!

A new school year

I have had a lot of new school years! But they are always fun and exciting. The weeks leading up to the first day were really busy. I spent long hours at work but I enjoyed it.

We're almost finished with our third week of school already. We added a new section in each grade in the elementary school and quite a few in the other grades, so over 100 new kids. In my Bible class I have 8 new students.

Let's talk about Bible class. I love it. What a difference a year makes! This class has a lot of personality. They are friendly and take an interest in class. They ask so many good questions! They even laugh at some of my jokes. Quite a few of them seem to be strong Christians. They are so fun. It also helps that I know the material this year!

I have 27 students again this year. This year I have these countries represented: Australia, Hungary, Singapore, Korea, Brazil, Nigeria, and the USA. This year I even have an American with blond hair! Please pray that I will be a good teacher and that those who are Christians will become stronger and that those who don't will be attracted to Christ and accept him into their heart. I do have one boy who has told me that he is an athiest. I don't think he has ever looked at the claims of Christianity-so pray that he will consider the choice he has made and perhaps make the most important decision of his life-to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

2007-2008 School year begins

A new school year is about to begin. I had a realization this summer. School improvement is not a program, it's a process. I have let go of the idea that I can teach or start a program and then cross it off my list. I can't because improvement is ongoing. That may sound simple but it was big for me. I also begin this year knowing with confidence that God has planned my future and He's going to guide and direct me every day of this school year. I start this year relaxed. yea.

Summer 2007

I had the best summer. It was a wonderful family centered summer. I'll share three highlights of the summer.

1. This really isn't a highlight but it went ok. I had to have another surgery (I won't go into details) but for two weeks I couldn't do much. But the blessing was I was in America and not in a Korean hospital and I was with my family. They took good care of me. And yes, I'm ok and I shouldn't have to have any more operations for awhile or ever I hope! I think I've had enough. But thank you Lord for insurance.

2. July 4th: Our family (mom, dad, Vicki/Brant, David/Barbara, Woody, Abigail and my mom's cousin )rented a pontoon boat and we spent four hours on the lake near my parents' house. It was really fun. We ate fried chicken, enjoyed the scenery from the boat and did some swimming.

3. We all took a family vacation together! We went to the Smoky Mountains. We rented a house and spent the week together. We went to Dollywood, an aquarium, shopping, enjoying the mountains and playing pool. I am so thankful for my family and the good times we had this summer.

I'd also like to say I REALY enjoyed spending time with my niece and nephew. My niece and nephew are really learning to love the Lord. They are 4 and 7 and one day they each sang a praise song to God that they had made up. It was so precious and a blessing to see their love for God. A good example of the childlike faith that we are supposed to have.

End of the Year

Since the mission trip it doesn't seem like there has been much to write about. Things have been kind of routine-which is fine! School is over on June 8th and I will fly to the states on June 15th. I must admit I'm counting the days.

In April we had our international night. It was so nice. We held it in our school courtyard. There were over 20 countries represented. Most of the countries served some kind of food. I ate food from 5 different countries! Nigerian, Mexican, Pakistan, Myanmar, and Saudi Arabia. There was a short program. The kids paraded in carrying flags from the countries represented at our school. We have about 46 countries represented at our school. Many of the kids wore their traditional clothing. It was a beautiful sight.

My Bible class is winding down. We have one more lesson and then we start reviewing for finals. It's been an interesting year. For me, teaching Bible this year was not easy. I think my students learned a lot of good things but for the most part they were not excited about any of the things they learned! Once in awhile there was a spark of interest but unfortunately most of them wish they didn't have to take Bible and they don't have the best attitudes. Not all of them of course. Now before I sound like I'm totally pessimistic in other ways it was ok. I had some good talks with some of them, shared a few laughs (not as many as I would have liked!), and had a few successful lessons...It was a learning year. I am looking forward to trying it again next year.

These are the students I particularly have a burden for: Suelen and Arushi.

This summer my mom, dad, sister/husband, brother/family and me- we are all going on vacation together. We are going to spend a few days in the Smokey Mountains in Gatlinburg, near Pigeon Forge. As of now we're going to Dollywood, do some shopping and some hiking. Sounds fun, huh?!

Yellow dust!!

I am a little sick. I have a sore throat. It might be from the yellow dust. there is this dust that comes from the Gobi Desert. As it floats on its way to Korea it picks up pollution and then becomes contaminated. Because China has cut down so many trees and is building so much, more and more dust gets to Korea. If the yellow dust count is over 300 you are supposed to stay in. The other day it was 900! So it's been pretty bad. Anyway, I think it's an interesting phenomenon and probably why I have a sore throat and runny nose.
Sometimes the schools even close because of the yellow dust.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_Dust

Mission trip pictures

Justin and Kirstin were the other two team leaders.

Here is a picture of Josh with Henie and Minji two other members of the mission team.

Kunsan Missions Trip

Our missions trip was fantastic. We left on Friday and got back on Wednesday. The kids did great. They were really stretched at times but they pulled through. We mostly did a VBS/English camps at two different places.

Place #1 The General Welfare Center, an afterschool program for underprivileged kids.

Place #2 "Mojawon". A place where single moms live with their kids for a couple of years until they can afford to get out on their own.

At each of these places we told the Easter story, did arts and crafts, taught some English and played games with them. At each place there were about 35 kids.

We also did some cleaning at the Mojawon and did a skit in church on Sunday.

We were quite busy and at times the kids on the team wanted to give up but they did great. With a little encouragement they would overcome their tiredness and they gave their all. By the end of the visit the students were in love with these kids and sad to go home. It was great to see.

I'd like to tell one story. Joshua was one of the students on the trip. He is a great kid and is a committed Christian. He struck up a friendship with one of the middle school boys at the center and began to talk to him about spiritual things. They talked for a long time. After awhile Josh came to get me-only for reinforcement, he was doing fine on his own-and while I was there Josh prayed with this boy to become a Christian. It was wonderful. Ahead of time the Holy Spirit had prepared this boy's heart and he was ready. His name is Keun Su and he is a middle school student.

It blessed my heart so much to see Josh talk and pray with this boy. After the boy prayed to become a Christian, Josh knelt down on his knees and prayed for this boy. It was so touching to see this big high schooler so compassionate for this child.

Please pray for Keun Su. His family is not a Christian. He doesn't have a father. The director of the center said that his family is a "hard case" but she is so excited because now that family has the presence of the Holy Spirit in it.

Pray that Keun Su will be able to go to church and that someone can come alongside him and help him grow.

Thank you everyone that prayed for our trip. I believe that God was pleased with the students' efforts this weekend and that lives were touched through our visit.