Just another 40 days and I will have been living in S. Korea for a total of 4 years. I seriously don't know where time has gone! This is the longest I've ever lived in one place since first leaving home for college, back in 2002. Life in Korea has definitely been good to me, or rather, since God has called me to this city, this nation, there's no other place I'd rather be. However, after having lived here some time, there's definitely a part of me that's hungry for a change in scenary. I suppose my feelings are only natural.
Last year, 2010, was a difficult and challenging year for me. Nothing was ever quite what it seemed, and definitely, nothing was as I had hoped and expected it to be. I'm actually quite surprised I never packed my bags and left this place, after having to face one challenge after another, after another. Yet, as much as I pleaded with God to let me move on, He refused to give me peace to do so. In hindsight, I'm glad I stuck it out, because I learned a LOT about who God is and who I am to Him. I was stretched a lot, but I firmly believe that I grew a lot because of it. Also, because I stuck it out and chose to follow God in obedience, he opened up new doors of great blessing for 2011.
At the start of this year, while one chapter was coming to an end and a new chapter was just beginning, I kept hearing the same message over and over again. The message that 2011 is going to be the 'Year of Jubilee;' the 'Best Year of Your Life.' After all that happened in 2010, it didn't take much to have hope in such a blessing. But, then, one by one, I have been seeing my goals for this year being accomplished. I still have a long way to go before seeing everything on my list realized; none of them are small things, yet I know I serve an awesome and faithful God, so anything IS possible.
With the start of a new year came a new job, a new home and continuous transitions within the ministries I'm a part of. So far, my new job as an English teacher at a Private Christian Elementary School has been a huge blessing. The people are awesome to work with and the students are descent, as well. I'm currently teaching English through a Health & Fitness class to grade 1 and 2 students. I'm also teaching an English class titled "Step Into Music: Music & Movement" for grade 1 students. I teach aproximately 200 students, twice a week. In church, I continue to serve as a vocalist on the praise team and to lead the college ministry. The college ministry recently gave themselves the name "D2ONE" (Devoted to ONE God, another and community). We meet every Friday night for about 2.5 hours of worship, the Word, fellowship and prayer. We have about 15 commited members and several others who come from time to time. This college ministry offically began at the start of this year. Our focus has mostly been on maturity rather than growth in numbers, so we're encouraged by those who have commited themselves to the community.
The past year has also had it's share of physical challenges. After falling ill with bronchitis in early 2010, my lungs and sinuses have never quite been the same. I reguarly suffer from sinus and lung infections. I also discovered that I have a fractured tailbone which causes me great discomfort from time to time. And just recently I injured my knee playing v.ball for my school's staff league. Illnesses and physical limitations can be cause for great distraction, especially when living abroad, alone. However, God's constantly reminding me to look to Him and to trust Him; to not allow the physcial to disrupt or discourage me in the spiritual.We serve an almighty and all powerful God. So, while I can't see His purpose in these obstacles, I KNOW that He's at work and that even these times of frustration are in His hands and will amount to something good, in the end.
I love YOU, and it is my greatest joy to serve You all the days of my life.
3 comments:
What does it take to serve as you are and have been over in S. Korea?
Regards;
Warren
Hey Warren,
Firstly, there are the logistics. In order to teach in S. Korea you must have at least a 4-year university degree & apply for a 1-year working visa.
Secondly, you must have an open mind and readiness to learn about and adapt to a foreign culture. At first, living here was easy to embrace because it was new and exciting. But the longer I've stayed the more I've come to an understanding of the culture's 'dos' and 'don'ts'. Even now there are cultural differences I don't agree with (i.e. a hierarchal approach to most things, an intense pressure to perform and compete, a booming cosmetic surgery industry - nearly everyone has undergone some form of plastic surgery by the time they graduate university; high school graduation for most women, and the huge prostitution industry - every night the streets are littered with flyers.)
Thirdly, and most importantly, it takes a huge commitment to prayer and spiritual growth - personal devotion. S. Korea currently holds some of the highest abortion and suicide rates, mostly amongst middle-school to university students. It can be a pretty depressing and lonely place to live if you don't have a clear calling from God to serve here and if you're not confident in your identity of Christ. For me personally, there were also some pretty significant things I had to abandon. But ultimately following Christ is of utter importance and it will cost us, though nothing that pales in comparison to the price Christ paid on the cross. It's a rewarding experience as you watch seeds be planted, grown, and even harvested. God IS working here & He will awaken and call his people to himself. (*on a side note, most Christians who come here to serve, come as 'tent makers.' Thus, they work, to support themselves and hold residency, and then they serve as God leads them. Though sometimes your job alone can be your 'mission's field'.) Everywhere you go, there are lost people in search of just a glimmer of hope.
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