Jan-March 2008

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Text Box: WINTER BREAK IN THE STATES A lot has happened since my last report to you.   Vicki and I spent some great time together during the winter break.  We were able to visit her sister and her family in Houston for Christmas, and then out to California to see Vicki’s parents for the New Year.   Vicki’s mom still struggles with lung cancer, but the latest report seem more hopeful than before.   After the first round of treatments, the tumor had shrunk by one third.  Thanks for your prayers for her health.  The Lord does hear.    Brandon continues to thrive in his band, “Homer Hiccolm and the Rocket Boys.”  This spring takes them to several major cities across the South.  Be on the lookout for them in your area.    My father is doing well.  He drove out to see us in early February with two friends from church.  I accompanied them to Henderson, Tennessee, to attend 2 days of the Freed-Hardeman lectures.    Our first night there gave us more excitement than we had requested.   That evening, several tornadoes stormed across West Tennessee, killing 33 people.   We were sleeping in my father’s van on Freed’s parking lot.   A warning siren forced us all to take cover in the campus’ Sports Center until all was clear.  The next morning we discovered that just before reaching Henderson, the storm split in two, and one half went north and the other half went south.   We were blessed again. My last Sunday in Memphis, February 19, was a unique one for me.   During the break I have been learning how to use some new presentation software, Camtasia Studio.   Through this, I am able to record audio and video along with a Power Point presentation.   So, that final Sunday morning, I spoke at our congregation in Korea (via Camtasia Studio), and then spoke “live” at the White Station church of Christ in Memphis.   I am sure others before me have experienced this, but this was my first time to speak to different churches on 2 separate continents on the same day.   Technology is enabling us to live in a truly exciting time    CLASSES THIS SEMESTER The picture above was taken at an early March retreat with the Bible majors. This was taken just after our morning devotional in a scenic location by the south Han River. I returned to Korea on February 20.  For this trip, my agent routed me through Atlanta.  It felt a little strange to fly east first, and then west.   But as we flew away from Atlanta, I watched the monitor on the back of the seat in front of me, which constantly updated the  location of our aircraft.   I noticed we were heading north through Michigan, and then through Canada.  I kept expecting us to turn west and head across Alaska, but we did not.  Instead, we continued on our northern trajectory across the Arctic Circle, and then finally headed south through the heart of Russia and then China.  If you check your globe (I did later), you will see it is actually closer this way.   Our spring semester began on March 1 with a special opening chapel.   This is now begins my 6th year of teaching at Korea Christian University.    The department chairperson assigned me two new courses this time.   “History of World Religions,” and “Cross-Cultural Missions.”    Both of these are outside my real teaching area of Bible and Church History, but I agreed to tackle the material.    As with any teaching adventure, the teacher will be learning the most.    Maybe I can discover more of my own mistakes I have been making, working and teaching in the Korean culture. HANMEE CHURCH OF CHRIST I was looking forward to speaking to our congregation on my first Sunday back, but by Friday night, I knew I was coming down with something.   Brothers Yang and Kang from our congregation had planned to take me sightseeing to the East Coast on Saturday.   I phoned brother Yang on Friday night and told them to go ahead without me.   When Saturday morning came, I was feeling more miserable and knew I had made the right choice.   I then found out that my two friends canceled their trip and stayed in Seoul to take care of me.    A doctor visit that morning, and rest was about all I did on Saturday.   An e-mail from Vicki told me, in very clear font, “Do not go to church on Sunday!  Do not spread your germs to those people!”    Our local problem was that no one else had prepared any message for the morning worship.   Since I had already become practiced at recording Power Point messages with audio, I went ahead and recorded the sermon from my bedroom and emailed it to brother Yang to use the next morning.   Around noon on Sunday, my cell phone rang.    It was very sweet and encouraging phone call from the congregation made during their announcement time.   I could hear several people in the background saying, “Hi Don.  We miss you Don.”   I felt well enough to attend and speak at our HanMee church of Christ assembly time on my second Sunday.   I noticed 2 new families that have joined us in our absence.   It is always interesting that most of our growth seems to occur while I am away (ha!).   We had over 35 in attendance Sunday morning.  I believe this is a record for us.    We now have a Children’s Bible class as well as New Song Learning time before at worship at 11 am.  (picture on right shows Heidi Schu-bert with her young Bible students) Following worship, we always sit down together for a wonderful meal.    Different members are volunteering, through a sign-up list, to prepare the main courses each time.   We never go home hungry.   After the meal, usually around 1 pm, we begin 2 Bible classes (one in Korean, and one in English).   I am teaching the English class.   This spring I decided to take the class through a study of John’s Gospel.      HOUSING SITUATION KCU’s contract with our current apartment expires this month.   This necessitates that KCU find another place for me.   The situation is a little complex, since the school is also trying to find a place for a new female  teacher from the States who has 2 teenage children.   Presently, KCU is in the process of contracting a new apartment for me, and the move should be within the month.   Hopefully I will show you some pictures in my next report.  TOO MUCH TO DO What can one person hope to accomplish in a country of 45 million people, and living in a city of some 22 million souls?   The more I think about what needs to be done here, the more I know that the work is not in my hands, but rests in the powerful hands of the Lord.   Pray that I will allow Him to use me as He sees best, and whatever strength I need for the daily tasks of teaching and preparing church leaders, He will provide.    Your prayers are always requested and greatly appreciated.   Thanks for all you do where you are.