May/June 2009

   

Text Box: CLASSES AT KCU It continues to be a challenge to prepare 2 new classes at Korea Christian University (Mission Theology and Advanced Theological Research).   Now that we have entered the last week, I am already thinking about how I could improve these courses if I am asked to teach them again.   Mission Theology is my largest class, with nearly 50 students.   Every week, as I stare at the faces of so many people, many of whom come from non-church backgrounds, I am reminded of the importance of my work.   Similar to Pepperdine in the States, even though we are a Christian university with a 100% Christian faculty, the percentage of Christian students is less than 8%.   Every moment spent with the students can be significant input to changing their lives and bringing them to the Lord Jesus. STOLEN AND RETRIEVED Before I returned to Korea this spring, Dr. Ed Gray, a counseling professor at Harding University Graduate School of Religion gave me a notebook of materials to help improve marriages.   Each of the hundred or so pages had also been painstakingly translated into the Korean language and placed within the notebook.   I told Dr. Gray that I would pass this material on to Professor Moon who teaches practical theology here at KCU.  Perhaps these materials could be incorporated not only into some class material, but shared among churches and other interested individuals.   To shorten the details of this story, I placed the notebook in my personal mailbox in our main building, intending to give it to Dr. Moon either that same afternoon or the following day.   I returned to my box the next day and found the notebook was missing!   “Who would do such a thing?” was my first thought.   My second was, “There are so many lives that could have been affected for good from this material, and now it is gone.”   I waited a few days to see if someone might return it.   They did not.   Finally, I asked a friend to translate two sentences for me which I would print out, and tape to the outside of my mailbox.  The sentences: Please return the materials you have taken.   They are very valuable to me.   My expectations were low.   Needless to say, I was pleasantly shocked and overjoyed when two days later, the note on my box had been removed and the notebook had been returned.    I still do not know who did this.   I am only thankful that people can still respond when a need is presented.   Pray that this material on marriage can yet produce fruit in many lives here.         SUICIDES INCREASE IN KOREA Many of you may have heard that 2 weeks ago, the former President of South Korea, Noh Moon Hyun committed suicide by jumping off a mountain near his home near Busan.   The following is taken from the June 2009 issue of Seoul magazine: According to the World Health Organization, Korea has one of the highest suicide rates in the world.  It has the highest suicide rate for females in the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development), and for five straight years, suicide has been the top killer of Koreans in their 20s.  Korean children and teenagers are the unhappiest in the OECD, and if you look at the numbers, you'll notice that the older the kids get, the unhappier they become.  This makes sense to me, because only when they are very young are Korean children allowed to be children. As they get older, the pressure to fulfill all sorts of obligations mounts. Since February 2005, no fewer than fourteen Korean celebrities have ended their own lives.  Some of them, such as actress Choi Jin-shil, were entertainment icons. From the poorest to the richest, from the unknown to the most famous, Koreans are taking their lives at an alarming rate. Despite all of this, I doubt that anyone ever expected a former president to commit suicide, but that happened this past Saturday morning.  In 1953, after the Korean War ended, South Korea was one of the poorest countries on earth. Now it is one of the wealthiest, and is, officially, a developed country.  Koreans have diligently chased wealth and prestige, and found it, and yet clearly, they are unhappy. Koreans are living proof that money can't buy happiness.   WORRIES (?) FROM THE NORTH No one in South Korea is surprised at North Korea’s recent harsh rhetoric and demonstrations to the world of its military abilities.    The question that many are asking now is what is the North wanting this time.   Some analysts feel that due to the North Korean president’s ill health (he had a stroke last year), he may be trying to convince his own people that his family line is still strong and one of his sons deserves succession rights.   Others are guessing that the North is once again rattling its saber to convince the world that it is indeed a legitimate nuclear power.    The result will most likely be the opposite.   Their recent actions have only further isolated this odd nation from the rest of the world and has even endangered its relationship with its last remaining ally, China.    People I have talked to here in the South are very curious as to what the North will say next, but no one is really worried.   You should not worry either. LATEST NEWS FROM HANMEE Our church here now has a new bulletin format (on left).  Many people have volunteered to help in all kinds of ways (from wiping tables after our fellowship meal to hosting Bible studies in their homes).  Their names along with their respective jobs will be listed on the back of our bulletin up to a month in advance, hopefully providing all of us adequate time in case we need to make any changes.  Speaking of change, this past Sunday, I had prepared a Power Point to show with my sermon.    Although this technology is not necessary, I have discovered that communication with different cultures needs as much help as possible.   However, this Sunday morning, our projector’s lamp went the way of all flesh, and there was no spare around.   When I began my sermon, I told the congregation they were missing the best Power Point they would have seen in their lives.     Soon, we hope to have a new bulb in place.  Prices for these small bulbs is expensive, more than $400.   Hopefully, like the last one, it can survive 4 or 5 years.   In the meantime, until the new one arrive we will have to settle for old fashioned audio sermons only.    GOODBYE LUNCH PARTY FROM KCU Last week, several faculty took me out to lunch.   The place was one of my favorites, VIPS.   The western style restaurant has excellent steaks and a fabulous salad bar .  Upon arriving, they informed me that the special luncheon was in my honor since I would not be back at KCU this fall.   Koreans always treat teachers with the greatest of respect.  Last month, there was even a national teacher’s day.   It is not a day off from teaching, but many students do bring their teacher a gift.   My gift from one class was a delegation of about 5 students from the class who went to the front of the room and sang me a song.   They also presented me with a huge poster signed by many of the students, and a small herb (Rosemary) plant in a cute pot.    I am sure they did not realize it, but the plant is especially meaningful since it has the same name as my mother who left this world 2 years ago.   EXPANDING INFLUENCE As I mentioned in my last report we are blessed to have a Filipino worshiping with us.   Frederick Madridano will be in Korea about 6 more months until he returns to his family next January.    Recently, he shared his concern with us that his wife and sister still in the Philippines are not Christians.   On hearing this, I contacted Elmer Emperado, a preacher in the Philippines (and like myself receives support from the church of Christ at White Station in Memphis).  Elmer who lives on Mindanao, the same southern island as Frederick’s sister, has promised to visit her as soon as possible.  Frederick also continues to encourage his wife to read the Bible and study for herself.   Catholic influence is strong in the Philippines, but for those who wish to read the Word for themselves, change can and will come.  Please pray for both of these individuals. FUTURE PLANS WITH KOREA It is hard to believe that I started working full-time with KCU in 2003.   Time has flown.   One of the good things about time is that it does bring occasional benefits.   One of these is that this fall KCU will allow me time off (with pay) for research.   In English, we call this a “sabbatical.”    So, I plan to stay home this fall, spend more time with my wife and work on a book that I promised a long time ago to Annie Mae Lewis that I would write.   Of course, I cannot forget my many friends, co-workers and church members here in Korea.   Lord willing, I will continue to help our local church in Seoul, even preaching a few times each month through teleconferencing networks or other means.  If time permits, I will also begin work on online courses that Korea’s Bible Correspondence Center can utilize on their website and other places.  Until next time, my God continue to bless you and your work where you are.     Home