Text Box: For those of you might have thought I might have fallen off the edge of the world, let me assure you that such rumors are pre-mature.  I am still here, and blessed with good health. However, it has been awhile since I have added a fresh report to this website.   Since more and more of you are using Facebook and other social networking systems, I have been in touch with some of you in those ways.   Nevertheless, it is time again to offer you a fuller report, and perhaps an excuse for my absence.   EXTENDED SUMMER BREAK When I returned to the States in June of 2009, I had completed over seven years of full-time work with Korea Christian University.    According to their regulations, as with other schools in Korea, a teacher is eligible to take a one semester break after six years.   Vicki and I both agreed that now was the time.   Therefore, Korea Christian University allotted me the time off, provided that I did  research of some value.    I chose to continue research I had begun in the late 1990s, a history of the early Restoration Movement in America.    Late last fall, I did, in fact, finish the research in the form of a book entitled, Capturing Head and Heart: A Look at Six Early Leaders in the Stone-Campbell Movement.   Presently, it is still being peer reviewed and has not made it to the store shelves yet.   I will keep you posted.  (Picture on left shows the Kinders surprising the Rocketboys in Illinois) I also used my extra time at home for visiting with some of you, and speaking at various congregations about the Korean work.   And since there is always the need to improve my Korean ability, I purchased the complete Rosetta Stone software for the Korean language, and have now worked about halfway through the program.    It is not a perfect system, but its methodology makes sense, and makes the learning fun.   BACK TO KOREA Time with family is never long enough, and I returned to Korea near the end of February to begin my seventh year of teaching with Korea Christian University.   Finally, I have been given somewhat of a reprieve since my courses are either ones I have taught before, either in Korea or in the States.   My slate this spring includes two courses for undergraduates, “Gospel Studies” and “Mission Theology;”  and two for graduates, “Introduction to Graduate Studies” and “History of the Restoration Movement.”  (Picture on left shows construction of new building on campus to accommodate the new English and Chinese departments.  It will also provide much needed office space for music faculty)   HANMEE CHURCH OF CHRIST It was great to worship with our Korean brothers and sisters again.   I had been contact with some of them through e-mail and even Facebook, but nothing replaces face to face meetings.   One of our greatest challenges and opportunities before us now is moving to a new location.    Since its inception in the fall of 2004, the congregation has been very blessed to have utilized a space provided by the Bible Correspondence Center in Banghwa Dong, in the southwest area of Seoul.  We cannot express adequately the gratitude we feel towards this organization for generously sharing its space with us.  This facility has provided us with room for worship assemblies, classes, as well as kitchen and dining facilities.   Fellowship meals following our Sunday morning worship have been integral to letting members become further acquainted and share in each other’s lives.   However, the time has now come for a new stage in our development.  Just as infant birds cannot remain in the nest of their parents forever, and doing so would severely stunt their physical development, likewise this congregation recognizes the need to move to their own home, and shape the new facility along their specific family needs.   As we seek the proper place, we set our sights not just on the near horizon, but look towards the wider future the Lord may have planned for us.  With this in mind, we see a need for a location that can provide: -           -   Large room or hall for worship assembly                                                                          (ideally enough space to accommodate 100 or more people) -           -  Additional rooms for Bible classes (four or five) -      -     -   Prayer room -            - Kitchen for preparing fellowship meals and snacks -            - Dining area -           -  Children’s recreation area (to be used for small children during worship, and used later for possible Christian daycare)  -           - Adequate parking nearby (either within the building itself, or on street parking) -           -  Easy transportation access from subway or bus lines. We don’t know what the Lord has in store for us, but we are confident He will lead us to the right place.    Please pray for us as we seek the necessary funding for this move, as well as the actual location itself.  MORE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS K.C.U. continues to development its graduate program in Bible, especially as it attracts more and more international students.   We now have about 25 students enrolled in the Ph.D. and Th.M degree programs.   Among the countries most represented are the Philippines, India, Myanmar and Tibet.   All of these students already speak the English language well, and  will do most of the work in English.  The school requires them to take at least one semester of the Korean language.   Most of these students plan are returning to their countries to continue ministerial work, either with local congregations or with schools.    I plan on highlighting a few of these students in future reports.   CONTINUE TO PRAY Everyday reminds me that I need more far more than I alone can provide.  Only through the strength and wisdom of our Lord can I hope to accomplish anything at all.    Your thoughts and prayers have greatly sustained this ministry, and continue to do so.    I see many of your faces and arms surrounding me as I speak and move around this great city of over 10 million people.    As Paul reminded his dear friends at Philippi, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers because of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”                                                                                         (Philippians 1:3-5) God bless you and your work in the days and months ahead.                               March- April 2010

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