Next Stop, Daejeong

*The following was written at around 11:30 am on October 30.

Today didn’t go quite as I had planned…

I knew it was going to be hard leaving all of my orientation group members, saying goodbye to the Academic Office Staff, and traveling to a new place.  However, I thought I was going to be one of the lucky few that didn’t have to be alone on their way to the unknown.  Since Lindsey, Daniel, and I were placed at different institutes within the same city, I assumed we would go on the same bus.  Imagine my surprise then when they got their two tickets to Daejon-Dunsan, and I got my one non-stop ticket to Daejeon, departing at 11am sharp.  Since it was 10:45 at that point, there wasn’t much time to think or fret about it, so as the guys helped carry my luggage, we rushed down the lot to bus 5688.  I gave Lindsey a hug and wished her safe travels, then waved goodbye to the others as the bus pulled away.

That brings us to the present, where I am speeding off to a land I know not.  For the first time I am completely on my own in Korea, very aware of the fact that the support system that has been there for me since the day we landed in Incheon is getting farther and farther away with every mile.  It’s a little scary, but also strangely exhilarating.  I cannot compare this experience to anything else in my life, not even going away to Grand Valley.  When I left for college, it was with friends and the guidance of family, and I knew I would be able to easily communicate with just about everyone I met.  Now I find myself barely able to sound out the words I see on street signs, let alone communicate with anyone using more than a few phrases and hand gestures.

Despite the uncertainty, this over two-hour bus ride is providing me some much needed quiet time in which to reflect.  I did a lot of research in preparation for coming to Korea, and it has definitely helped a lot.  Most interesting, however, are the situations and events I now recognize God was using to prepare me for my mission here.  Some are personal, and just between Him and me, but one example is that I worked in bilingual education for a year.  I didn’t notice at the time, but I was learning to be comfortable around people whose culture was different from my own.  Even though I speak a little Spanish, I often had to take risks in speaking the language when I would have preferred not to in order to get an important message across to students or their parents.  Now I find myself unconcerned that I am the only person who speaks English on this bus.  Every Korean is a unique individual, but they do as a whole seem to have a great desire to be helpful and hospitable.  Another way that I can see God working in my life was through all the opportunities that I have had to make and deliver Bible studies in small groups and one-on-one.  We prepare our own materials for religion class and Sabbath School clubs, and as a result of all my experience, I have a great collection of Bible studies I can draw from, as well as the necessary skills to build new studies as the Holy Spirit guides.

God really is amazing.  He has been calling me to Korea since 2008, and it is becoming more and more apparent why.  Some of you have had various misgivings about the program here, and I thank you so much for sharing them with me, and I assure you I am still taking your cautionary words and advice to heart.  However, if it eases your mind at all, there is currently a movement among some of the leadership here to bring about reform of a spiritual type.  I want to be a part of that reform, to return this institute’s purpose to its original roots of saving souls for Christ’s kingdom.

 There is a lot more to think about, so I will end this already long post.