Sept. / Oct. 2008

Text Box: FALL SEMESTER AT KCU As I sit at my desk on this cool October morning, gazing out the window at the changing colors of the season, I reflect on what the new semester has brought so far.   I am teaching 2 undergraduate courses:  New Testament Church, New Testament Backgrounds; and 2 graduate courses:  Acts of the Apostles and Cross-Cultural Missions.  Both of the undergraduate courses have over 30 students, which presents many opportunities as well as challenges.   As I have reported before, most of the students at Korea Christian University come from either denominational backgrounds or nothing.  Only about 7 percent of the students are from Church of Christ.  This means that the course “New Testament Church” is especially important.  Before the mid-term exam (this week), we discussed how a person enters a New Testament church.    These ideas were probably different from what they had been taught previously.   One can never know what hearts will be changed, but at least the seeds will have been planted.   May God give the increase! I continue my role as helper, encourager and mentor at the International Zone about 6 hours per week.   The Zone is a place on campus (now on the first floor of our main building) where students can come to find help with English homework, ask questions, or just practice English conversation.   The English department does not require this of students, as in the past, so our traffic has been less.  We have seen, however, some new students, who have come to make up an absence for an English class by coming to the Zone to practice English for an hour or more.   HANMEE CHURCH OF CHRIST We continue to experience what many churches experience: good Sundays and great Sundays.  Last month ChuSeok (Korean thanksgiving) came on a weekend.  This is the time when most people in Seoul hit the highways and visit relatives in other parts of the country.   Traffic on all major roads exiting the city becomes horrendous, and those left in the city wonder where all the people went.   This was our experience on ChuSeok Sunday.  We began our morning worship with only 4 people.   Within about 30 minutes however, about 10 more showed up.   This was our smallest group in a long time, which made our fellowship time more special.  Then 2 weeks ago, we had our largest gathering so far.  With the influx of several visitors (including a good friend from Japan with his wife) our numbers swelled to nearly 40.   We continually are seeking ways to make sure that we are growing spiritually as well as numerically.  Keep us in your prayers. EXCHANGE PROGRAMS One of my ongoing roles here is to direct the International Exchange Program.   Primarily, this involves maintaining close relations with other brotherhood schools in the States and around the world.   Presently, we have established student exchange agreements with International University in Vienna, Austria, Freed-Hardeman University in Tennessee, Oklahoma Christian University in Oklahoma and Cascade College in Oregon.  We continue to communicate with other schools to broaden this program even further.   Because of these efforts, KCU has sent numerous students to brotherhood schools for a year or two of study before returning to KCU to finish their degree.   Some faculty have also taken advantage of the program to do research at an American brotherhood university. So far, the program has been definitely one-sided, with all of the movement being from Korea to the States.   This has been true until this semester.  Marshall Wade (picture at left with Yang SangYong), a business/Bible major from Oklahoma Christian University, become the very first American student to enroll in KCU in the exchange program.   Needless to say, Marshall has become an instant hit on campus.   He lives in the dormitory and has helped many students with their desire to learn English.   Since he is taking one of my courses this semester, he took the initiative to form a study group to help others in my class prepare for the mid-term test.   Marshall also is attending worship with us at HanMee and blesses us each Sunday there as well.  Presently, he is committed to only a one semester stay at KCU.  We are hoping he can be persuaded to change his mind and extend it to a full year. GIFT WITH WHEELS Last month a friend I have known since my days at the University of Iowa gave me a bicycle.  He had offered it to me a few years ago, but I didn’t see a need for it.  Now, as I get older (no comments about my age please – ha), I realize the need to maintain at least a semblance of an exercise program.  The bicycle was an older one, but after taking it to a local bike repair shop, it is now in good riding condition.  Due to the higher cost of energy, especially gasoline, I have noticed more and more people riding bicycles.  Daily, more and more people are taking to the streets on two wheels instead of four.  My favorite bike trail has become the trail along the Han River.  The city has constructed a wonderful several mile bike trial on both sides of the river.  Along the way, the rider can see beautiful gardens of wild flowers, admire the continual flow of the Han River, and even stop at the occasional snack shop to pick up some dried squid (I prefer chips) or a bottle of juice.   WEDDING NEXT WEEK Another Korean has asked me to perform their wedding ceremony.  I think this is my fourth one.   Next Saturday, October 25, I will officiate at the wedding of one of our church members, Joo Pil Park.   I have known the Park family for many years.  His father preached for several years at the church of Christ in UiJung Boo, and has been a great and longtime friend to the BCC program.  After his retirement from UiJung Boo, brother Park now attends the HanMee church of Christ with us.  A few months ago, Joo Pil returned from attending Freed-Hardeman University in the States.  His English has improved dramatically and he has now requested that I preach the wedding sermon for them.  I am always honored and happy to help with such an event.  Look for a picture or two in my report later.     VICKI’S MOTHER Vicki’s mom is not doing well.  She is in the 4th stage of lung cancer.   Breathing continues to be difficult and uncomfortable for her.  Next week she will have surgery to relieve the ongoing problem of fluid in the pleura around her lungs.  This will improve her quality of life and make everyday activity easier. When every breath is a struggle, it is hard to do even the smallest thing..  Please pray for this beautiful servant of our Lord.  "I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all 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 1:3-5    Home