Text Box: I bring you greeting from Memphis, where I return every winter to recuperate, refresh and renew with my family and with many of you.  Perhaps like you, the past few months have flown by.  Let me fill you in on what has transpired since we last sat down to chat. Wedding of Park JooPil One of the highlights of the fall was the honor of officiating at the wedding of my good friend, Park JooPil and his bride.   I have known the Park family for several years, and even worked with his dad back in the 1980s.  During that time we had the Bible Correspondence Center  Winter School near UiJungBoo, Park’s hometown where his dad ministered.   Every wedding is special, and with Korean weddings there is always something new for we visiting Americans to experience.   As with many things these days, there is a combining of cultures, some Western and some traditional Korean.   After I did my part, relating biblical advice to the new couple and tying the marriage knot securely, Park JooPil picked up his new bride, hoisted her above his waist, and proceeded to do 7 leg squats.  Later, I found out that this custom signifies the readiness and strength of the groom to sufficiently lead and care for his family.     Happenings at HanMee Our congregation continues to adapt to our new members and to new technology.   At least 2 of our families have small children and sometimes need to leave our worship room with them to wait in another part of our facility.  Brother Yang suggested that we purchase a big LCD screen TV and mount it on the wall in the other room.   We have done this, and now with a video camera and correct placement of 2 microphones for the preacher and interpreter, the whole service can be viewed in the other room.   We have also found out that as our usual worship space often fills to overflowing, those who can’t squeeze in with us can still be close to us in the other room and still join with us in worship through this technology, as well as in heart.  Graduate Student seminar on Alexander Campbell KCU’s graduate program in Bible continues to attract international students.  Presently, we have enrolled students from India, Bangladesh, China, Myanmar and the Philippines.  One of our growing needs, therefore, is to arrange for more classes for them in English, which they all speak as their second language.   This fall, KCU hosted a scholarly program for the graduate division.   This was comprised of special lectures in Korean, and a special lecture by me in the English language.  A few weeks before the event, I suggested to the Graduate Dean a series of choices which I felt I could speak on with at least some knowledge.  He asked me to address the topic of the “Spirituality of Alexander Campbell.”   It was well received.   Later this year, I hope to expand this study to include other early restoration leaders and publish a book on this material.  Marshall Wade on campus All of us at Korea Christian University have enjoyed Marshall Wade’s stay on our campus.  He was our first International Exchange student.   The other exchange students have all gone the other direction, to various sister universities in the United States.   Marshall lived in KCU’s dormitory, a little more crowded and a little less private than his living quarters back at Oklahoma Christian University.  Despite the frequent inconveniences, he quickly made friends with many on campus.   Within a few days he became involved in the lives of several students, even teaching an English class every Friday on campus and another one once a week across town at a Christian daycare center.  One time Marshall traveled across the country with a friend and preached in a southern city.  While he was in Seoul, he worshipped with us at the HanMee church, and preached for us on one occasion as well.   Most surprising to many Koreans was that Marshall even enjoyed kimchee.   This spring, sadly, Marshall returns to Oklahoma Christian University to finish his B.A.   Many of us are praying that he may yet return to Korea for a career. Death of Heon Young Park The week before I left to return to the States for the winter break, I talked with my good friend Park Heon Young on the phone.   He is among the Koreans I have known the longest, nearly 30 years.   We met when I was a student at the University of Iowa, and have remained in touch continually since that time.   About 7 years ago, he contracted bone cancer.  He went through several treatments and the disease went into remission.  Then this fall, a new cancer returned which took his life.  None of us expected the disease to progress so quickly.  I was back in the States when his daughter sent me an email with the news.   I will miss this dear friend. Below is a copy of the words I sent to the family: To the Park Heon Young family, When news came to me last week of Park Heon Young’s passing from this life, I could not believe what I was reading.    I knew that he had been ill, in fact, seriously ill.  But we had talked together on the phone the week before I returned back to the States.  We had made plans to meet in February of this year when I came back to Korea.   I looked forward to that time.    So my first thought was, “No, this cannot be true.   My dear friend cannot leave now.   He is too young.  He is too full of life.   Why would my friend leave me to live the rest of my life here on this earth with him being absent?”   Death is a cruel, thoughtless and evil event. At the same time, I cherish so many wonderful memories of time I spent with him.  We first met when we were in college over 30 years ago.   We ate our meals in the same university cafeteria, and our friendship was born.   Later, he came to the East Coast of America to visit me when I still lived with my parents.   We got to explore some of the famous cities of the East Coast together.   Then just before my marriage in 1980, we drove an old car from Iowa to California.  We took a tent, so that we could camp along the way.  With our 35mm cameras we took so many great pictures of the Rocky Mountains, Yellowstone National Park, the beauties of Utah, and many other places.   It was a great highlight of my pre-married life.   I remember him attending my wedding to Vicki, again taking pictures, and wishing both of us well.    Through the years, Park Heon Young never deserted my life.  His friendship continued, even though we moved farther apart.  Vicki and I were living in Oregon, and he was in California involved in his own search to find just the right woman to be his wife.   I rejoiced with him when at last he found her.   His own family had begun.    Our lives intersected whenever I visited California.   He would drive sometimes for 2 hours to come up to Fillmore, California to see us when we visited Vicki’s parents who lived there.  One time the roads were wet and slippery and his car slid off the highway, as he exited Interstate 5.  We then had to go and get him while the car service center tried to fix his car.   As his family grew with the addition of a son, then a daughter, I saw my friend take on an additional career, that of a father who loved his children deeply.   I cannot forget when our sons were able to meet in 1998 and enjoy Lotte World together.   I knew that he wanted the very best for his children, just as I wanted the best for mine.   He was so proud of them, and I knew that when they were both in the States, attending universities, he really missed them.    I will miss not being able to see my dear friend this February when I return to Korea.   I will miss great dinners with him (he always took me to places that I knew cost too much).   I will miss him laughing loudly at my small jokes.   I will miss his conversations about the future, and sharing memories of the past.   Yet, I know that because of his faith in the Lord Jesus, this goodbye at this time is not the final one.   It does mean that I will have to wait a little longer before we have that reunion.   It will not be at a fancy table in Seoul, but at a much better one, as we sit down together for a banquet in heaven.   May the God of all grant each of you peace and hope in this time of sorrow.    From Don.     ONE GOOD BICYCLE STOLEN While Korea’s overall Christian population continues to grow, I have discovered that like any country, it has its share of worldly people.  I mentioned in my last report that I was enjoying the gift of a bicycle, and was especially enjoying riding along the bike path by the Han River.  Well, one evening I rode over to a Christian bookstore and purchased a video on the Gospel of John.  One of our church members visits a southern city once a month and is trying to find ways to share the gospel with them.   I thought this video would help.    I had almost given up trying to find it until I found one small Christian bookstore that carried it.   I rode my bike over to the store one evening and then came back from the ride a little tired.  In typical fashion, I chained my bicycle to the iron railing by my apartment.   Usually I put the chain around the bike frame and then attach it to the railing.  On this night, I simply threw the chain over the bike seat and then locked it to the railing.  At the time, I knew this wasn’t the safest method, but I thought surely it would be okay for one night, and tomorrow I would lock it more securely.  The next morning, I had to look at the railing twice, because at first glance, I could not see my bicycle.  Then, when I looked a second time, I still did not see it.  All that remained was the bike chain itself, still attached to the railing.   I felt anger at the one who had stolen the bicycle, and a little upset with myself for being so careless the night before.    I kept hope alive for a few days that someone had simply borrowed the bicycle and would later return it.  They never did.   Perhaps God watches over us in our foolishness.   The same week as the bike theft was the week I did my special presentation for the graduate program.   KCU surprised me by actually paying me something for it.  I found out that this was their custom.   And I had just the right place to apply the newly acquired funds.   I now have another bicycle which I securely attach to the railing every night.  (picture above on cold December day with new bicycle by Han River) While I am in the States, the bike resides safely in my apartment bedroom. PLANS FOR THE SPRING Life is uncertain.  We make our individual choices in life, but the Lord decides the ultimate plan.  So we always must qualify our plans with the words from James, who reminds us to pray, “If the Lord wills, we will do such and such.”  So, I say this time: if the Lord wills, I will return to Korea this spring to teach 4 courses for KCU.  They will be “Gospel Studies” and “Mission Theology” for the undergraduates, and “Theology of the New Testament” and “Advanced Theological Research” for the graduate students.   The last class was a special request from the Graduate Dean.  He noticed that many of our international students, who come to us from developing countries, possess little skill in doing research and writing papers.  My job, therefore,  will be to guide them into more productive methods than just going online, “googling” a topic, and then copying word for word what they find in the first three hits.    This spring, I will also be preaching every Sunday at the HanMee church of Christ.  We hope that this year can be a year of better organization, planning and growth.   One great need is to add a children’s Bible class to our Sunday time together.  Keep our work in your prayers.  Update on Vicki’s mom Vicki’s mom’s health continues to decline.   After picking up our son in Abilene, Texas, the three of us drove to California to be with Vicki’s parents during Christmas.  We were saddened to see her weakened condition.   She now is on continual oxygen, as well as ongoing medication for pain.  She has now nearly finished her final chemo-therapy for her cancer.   Please continue to pray that God would grant her what she needs the most at this time. Until next time, I appreciate each of you and all that you do for the Kingdom where you are.  May the Lord be with you.                                   Winter 2008-09

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