RETURN FOR SPRING WORK

Well, Korea was still here, just as I had left it.  Even the subway construction near my apartment was pretty much as it had been last December.  Actually, the prediction now is that the new subway line will run near my place by the year 2007.  In the meanwhile, I will continue to take the bus or walk to many places. 

I arrived at the Incheon International Airport early Sunday morning on February 29.   As before, my good friend and co-worker from the Bible Correspondence Center, Yang Sang Yong, was there to greet me and give me a lift, first to the Skylark restaurant for a hearty breakfast, and then to my apartment.  I showered and went to the morning church service at the KangSeo Church of Christ (a 10 minute walk from my place), and did my best to keep awake the rest of the day.  The next day was a holiday, so I could recover for one more day before I entered into full-time teaching.

MY COURSES AT K.C.U.

This semester KCU has assigned me to teach 4 courses, 3 of which are for undergraduates (General Letters, Synoptic Gospels and New Testament Theology), and one for the graduate program (History of the Reformation).   I teach the General Letters twice (one section of 6 students, the other of 40!).  It is too bad they could not balance the two sections more evenly, but this is according to the schedules of the students.  So far, the students appear a little more advanced than last semester, or maybe I have become more used to the teaching environment.  All my classes are taught in English without interpretation.  KCU and I are hoping the students can still glean something from this experiment.  Most Koreans have, in fact, studied English since junior high school, though most still have difficulty in listening comprehension and speaking.  At the beginning of each class, we have a short English practice, a prayer, and then my lecture (at a much reduced rate than I normally speak).  I utilize Power Point, as much body language as possible, and continue to run a website for each class where students can download the Power Point notes, leave questions, and receive my (hopefully) quick response.  For an idea, click here: www.bible.or.kr/kcu  This total combination of resources seems to be helping.

ENGLISH BIBLE CLASS AT LOCAL CHURCH

Since I have arrived, I have had more than one request from area churches to begin an English Bible class at their facility.  Because of the number of requests, including one from the KCU faculty to have an English Bible class just for the faculty, I have had to weigh my decision about this carefully, examining my schedule, and praying for God’s wisdom.   KCU’s Chairman of the Board, and one of the ministers at the HwaGog Dong Church of Christ, asked if I could teach a class there on Saturday afternoons.  Saturday is usually my one day to relax, and hike in the nearby mountains around Seoul.   I told him that I would consider it, and we would talk more later. The following week, I received his message that he wanted to talk to me again.  I agreed to have a further discussion with him on Saturday evening, around 7 pm.  Then, on the day before our meeting, I discovered that he had already invited about 20 people to come to the first orientation class for the new English Bible class at 7 pm on Saturday!!      Anyway, I met with the students that Saturday evening.  They were all very nice, and their English level was higher than many of my KCU students.  Together we agreed to have the class every Saturday evening at 8 pm (giving more of them time to arrive at class following their workday, and I can still continue to hike).  All of them appear to be very nice and very eager to not only learn more English, but also more of the Bible.  They feel that if the class is advertised in the area, it will grow quickly.  Please pray that God will use this class to encourage other Christians, as well as be an effective tool to bring others to Christ. 

WINTER CONTINUES

During my second week here, Seoul experienced the biggest snowfall it has seen for over 100 years for this time in March.   It was beautiful that evening watching the snow falling, and covering everything with a blanket of white.   Traffic came to a near halt for several hours.  I witnessed a few cars attempting to drive up the slight hill near my place.  For every 4 feet the car advanced, it would slide back 5.  As far as I know, there were no fatalities, and every Korean became a child again, seeing this unusual snowfall so late in the season.  Unfortunately, within about 2 days, the snow had melted in the city.  It remained on BukHanSan, the National Park, for a few days longer, and I was able to hike that weekend in a winter wonderland.   Here are two pictures of snowy Seoul: the right is the campus of KCU, and then during my hike two days later in the nearby mountains (shown on left).  As always, you can click on the picture to enlarge it. 

HOUSING STILL UP IN THE AIR

As I mentioned in my November report before leaving Korea, my landlord passed away.  He had generously donated my apartment to KCU for its use to house visiting faculty members, like myself.  The bad news is that he died childless and without a will.  Since then, the surviving nephew has taken the matter to court, fighting another school in town who claims their right to this property.   KCU’s president has assured me that the legal matters may take several months to resolve, and that no matter what happens, the school will provide a place for me. 

CHAPEL SERMON AND KOREAN CULTURE

I continue to be amazed about what I don’t know of Korean culture, even after all these years.   For example, I was asked to speak to the students in chapel last week.   I prepared a short speech (to be interpreted) on the two disciples encountering Jesus on their way to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35).  Since I was speaking to college students, I thought one way to identify with them would be to not overdress for the occasion.  I wore gray slacks, a shirt and tie, and a brown leather jacket (not a suit coat).  I thought this would be adequate.  However, about 10 minutes before chapel was to begin, my interpreter, Sim Sang Gil,  saw me in the hallway, and said, “Oh no!  Don’t you have a suit?”  I told him that this was what I wore today, and my suit was at my apartment.  You have never seen people move so fast! Brother Sim located a student quickly and told him to escort me (quickly) to the dorm and find a student there (approximately my size) who could loan me at least a black suit coat.   We found one (a little too tight to button), but it looked nice, and we raced back to chapel in time.   It seems that Koreans always maintain a certain dignity, displayed especially in their attire, when speaking at worship and chapel services.   Light colored suits or leather sports jackets are too Western and novel an idea.  At any rate, after catching a few breaths, I told the students that, like the two on the road to Emmaus, we should allow the message of the Gospel to “burn within us.”   It should burn hot enough where we will want to get it out.  I encouraged them to find ways this semester to share the message with as many as possible.  Afterwards, several told me how great the message was.   I thanked them (…and quietly returned my borrowed coat).      

NEW CHURCH PLANS

Plans still continue to establish a new English speaking congregation in Seoul sometime this year.  Our great hope was to use the new B.C.C. building, which we thought might be built this spring.   However, God has a way of altering our plans.   At this point, the building project has been put on hold until more funds can be secured.  In the meanwhile, BCC has successfully rented the two small houses which it owns, and will use the income to rent a larger space for its office and classrooms.  The move to the new office space (top floor of building in picture to left) will be in the first week of April.   After the move, BCC will begin offering evening Bible classes in English.  Already several have expressed an interest.   Then after a few months of classes, we can use some of these students to form the nucleus of the new congregation.   I will keep you informed as more plans unfold.   This will be a serious and exciting undertaking, and I really ask for your prayers about this.

KOREAN LANGUAGE CLASS TO START

Even though Koreans praise my ability in Korean, my level is only Survival Korean. The few phrases I know, I pronounce well, and leave Koreans thinking I know much more.   However, most of the time I feel frustrated at my very elementary level of their language.   I feel left out on many occasions, and miss the relationships and further teaching opportunities that I could have if I spoke the language of this culture.  

So, beginning the first of April, I will enroll in some intensive language courses at the YonSei University Korean Language Institute (K.L.I.) This Institute has a great reputation for training foreigners.  Here is an English link to their program if you care to read more about it, and what I am getting into.  www.yonsei.ac.kr/~kli/     The classes will meet 3 nights a week (3 hours each) for 10 weeks.  I am excited about this, though I wonder about the work load.  

In the past, many of the mistakes of our early missionaries could have been avoided if they had taken time for language study.   Instead, they relied solely on interpreters, even for years after being here.  Not only did they lose some of the respect from the local people for not taking time to learn the language, but left themselves open to many misunderstandings, confusion, and on many occasions were taken advantage of.  History has taught us this lesson.   Those who work in a foreign language and culture and wish some degree of effectiveness must go through the time-consuming and often painful process of learning the new tongue.   Yet, the resulting benefits can be so rewarding.  Please add this to your prayer list for me.   And if you click on the lower right of the front page of this site, you too can have a chance to test your personal skill at speaking Korean.  Have fun! 

“I thank my God every time I remember you.  In my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” (Philippians 1:3, 4)