It has been several days since my last post, and a lot has transpired. I am currently spending time in good 'ole Bucktown, visiting with family and friends, getting ready to leave tomorrow--wait, say WHAT? Leaving TOMORROW? Oh my...where has the time gone?
Nine months ago when I first got the whole process rolling, going to teach in Korea was more of an abstract concept. It was something that was going to happen a long time in the future. Now it's here, and the nerves have finally caught up with me. Thursday night I got the jitters and couldn't sleep, so instead I just stayed up 'till the wee hours of the morning trying to pack a year into a couple of suitcases. I won't know if I have suceeded until I arrive in Korea and it's too late to repack. Even as I write this my heart is beating a little faster than usual at the thought of boarding that plane in the morning.
One thing that has helped me to keep the anxiety at bay has been to stay as busy as possible, and there have been plenty of things to do to help with that task. Last Sunday my home church, Bauer SDA, threw a going away party for Lindsey and me. It was a very humbling experience to see the great turnout, and it reminded me just how blessed I have been during my time in the Grand Rapids area. Everyone was so wonderful, supportive, and generous, and the love I felt from my church family and other friends was overwhelming. I praise God for all the care he has shown me through them over the last few years.
This week I spent some time with extended family, hung out with some school friends, and tried to organize all of the stuff I will be leaving behind. Yesterday I had the fun opportunity to introduce my mom, dad, grandma, and aunt to Korean food at a cute little food establishment in South Bend called Sunny's Korean Restaurant. Sunny, a native of South Korea, cooked our food, personally served it, and still found time to explain the dishes and teach us a few Korean words! It was a fantastic experience, and I highly recommend her restaurant for a unique culinary experience. As my grandma put it, "if all Koreans are as nice as she, you won't have a bad time at all, will you?"
Today something pretty cool happened. I went to church with my dad at PMC, and as I was walking out of the sanctuary after divine service, I overheard someone speaking Korean (I was actually pretty psyched that I could even recognize it as Korean). I turned towards the voice and there was a young lady talking to an older gentleman. I asked her if she was Korean (just to make sure, you know), and she said that yes, she was. Then I just blurted out, "I'm going to Korea tomorrow!" Her excitement at that statement matched mine (phew!), and she asked me what I was going to be doing there and for how long. When I told her I would be teaching with the Sahmyook Language School, the man, who had overheard our conversation, smiled, handed me a business card, and said, "Wonderful! Be sure to come visit us." The girl leaned towards me, pointed at the card, and said, "that's a good connection!" Then, in the rush of foot traffic headed out of the church, we were parted, and I saw them no more. I looked down at the card in my hand and glanced at the title. It said "Head Chaplain, Sahmyook University." o_O
Well, my next post may very well be from the airport in Chicago during our layover, or, in the event I cannot find access to a wireless network, South Korea! Please pray for me as I begin this new adventure.
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