This world ain't my home

God is good.

That's an obvious statement, but I just wanted to lead by re-stating the "always obvious, often forgotten."

I am a foreigner... in a foreign land. And I don't mean that in some quasi-gnostic manner- this Earth ain't my home I'm just a passin' through... haha.
I mean... I am actually a foreigner!!!

It's kind of fun being in the minority. Especially since I'm a pasty white American with golden curly hair and blue eyes. I get a lot of looks and comments in public. Also humorous... when I am out and about I'll get random people noticing me and speaking what random English they know to me for practice. "Hello, nice to meet you" or "How are you" or ... "I have a book!" ... just for practice. It's exciting when you are learning a new language and have the chance to practice it, even if it's just minimal :)

I enjoy South Korea.

Honestly, this is probably the first time (that I can remember) where I have been in a situation where I had the time, money, and resources to devote so much time to "ministry."
I have definitely been involved in ministry in other situations- but since I have always been foremost a student since I was in Kindergarten, I haven't devoted any excessive time to ministry.

Also, even when I was a student- I was often so focused on "what was next" that I hardly concerned myself with getting involved in ministry. After all, I would get involved in ministry after I was finished with school! ...So I thought.

School is not finished for me, however. And that can be stated in two ways: first of all practically, I am pursuing a Master's degree while I am here teaching- and that starts in a couple weeks.
Second of all, "school" is not finished, because God has made us humans "learning creatures" ...by His grace we will always be learning. Those belonging to Christ have the rich inheritance of eternally learning about God...and knowing Him personally.

Anyway, this is the first time in a LONG time where I have devoted so much time and attention to "where I am" vs. "where I will be" (haha...almost made a grammar joke right here)
And God has really been faithful. I am growing...learning not only about Korea and about Him... but experiencing Him and His love as I learn to teach...as I grow to love these kids...and others around me.

There are many needs here. Not surprising. There are many needs all throughout the world...America not discluded by far. When I was in Alaska for two summers, I was overwhelmed by how much need there was for Gospel centered people to minister. Need is everywhere...especially for Christ.

As I am here, I'm learning what specific needs there are in South Korea. First of all, they need English teachers (of course!) Education is SO important to Koreans, both because of the status it associates and due to the homogenous nature of society. Parents need their kids to do well, because it is their kids who will end up taking care of them.

Also, English teachers bring diversity to the classroom...a lot of the kids here haven't experienced much outside of Korean culture. This can be kind of sweet since it breeds some naivete and innocence...but it also leaves them unexposed to the beautiful diversity of God's people. AND... it can leave many unexposed to the Gospel. English Christ-following teachers have the opportunity to bring both.
I work at a Christian academy...but all of the students are most certainly not Christians. So I am finding ways (and pray to find more) to bring the Bible into the classroom... whether it's reading a bible story, or composing a listening activity that includes a bible story. Then for the sake of vocabulary and comprehension I will briefly go over the story (which also gives me a chance to explain some of the story).

It would be different in public schools, but from what I understand they are open to such things being taught and talked about around the "American" holidays (Christmas, Easter, etc).

Also it is to be noted that the teachers are here to primarily teach English- so bible cannot be taught every day all day in the classroom...but there is more than ample opportunity.
Also, the grace God gives His English teachers to love these students will hopefully be a glimmer of Himself to these kids.

There is also a great need here in South Korea for English speaking pastors.
Korea is a fairly young Christian nation as is... so there is great need for ministry to a nation profoundly influence by Buddhism. The English teachers are also ever-increasing, and there aren't many bible-school trained men here to preach the gospel on Sundays! (So that we can eat and grow off the word as well!)

Usually the pastor ends up being a male English teacher who does his teaching during the week, and serves as teaching pastor on Sundays. Some of the men who come here to teach English intentionally leave to get seminary training, and come back to be a Pastor at an English church.

I've been to two churches so far, and I love the fellowship. The Koreans in the churches I went to do everything they can to help the foreigners feel welcome in Korea...although they don't always speak English very well! The English speakers end up naturally bonding in some capacity- because we are all here serving the same purpose!

Well, that's enough for now.
I'm on my 3rd week teaching.

Pray that God continues to give me grace to have patience and love for these kids.
That I would find a church body to be involved in (whether it's one that I've visited, or a different one)
And that I would count all things as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ as my Lord.

The end.

The best teacher is one who can teach as well as he learns

And this is proving to be quite the learning experience so far!

I really do enjoy teaching. I love lesson planning... probably too much.

I can easily spend hours going over lessons, compiling ideas of what might work AND be enjoyable in different class settings.

Already, I have done a lot of experimenting...some things work. Some things don't.
Some lessons I've created have gone really well... and students enjoyed the outcome.
Other lessons were too complicated, and needed to be remodeled structurally to increase understanding.

Consistency is key...so I've been trying to maintain what the other teachers do in the school...as well as keep some of the nuances teachers who taught the classes I'm teaching before me did.

I also put in my own nuances...because it's important that I am teaching MY classes...not someone else's.

Some of the kids warmed up to me right away...they were so excited for a "new" teacher (the curiosity of the unknown) that they sought my attention right away. Other kids are just starting to warm up to me (after over a week and 1/2). That's life :)
I'm learning the importance to spread out my attention both to the kids who easily grab my attention, as well as towards those who hide in the shadows.

One of the most rewarding things is when students really GET something. Seeing them really understand a concept...a new word...an idea...a grammatical structure... it's exciting.
Grading tests also shows this... I am happy when students are showing that they are learning.

Also, grading tests and quizzes helps me as a teacher...I can see where there are patterns- showing what a majority just isn't getting... so I can improve teaching methods and review specific material.

It's interesting finding a balance between student-centered and teacher-led classroom structure. I think I prefer to utilize both camps at times. Students really enjoy being able to have input...so I will ask them whether my explanation is helpful...if something is too difficult to learn... sometimes I'll even ask which activity they'd prefer to do in a lesson.
But...if I allow them to do this too often, they'll walk over me (easily). So I realize it's necessary to be stern and show that I am the authority in the room (even when we have fun!)

With older classes it's not as hard to set that boundary... I can more easily allow leniency and student input without infringing too much on order in the classroom. That probably comes with maturity.

Well, there's some of the technical stuff regarding my teaching experience right now.
If you think to pray for me, here are some requests:

That I would grow in love for the kids every day.
That I would find ways to actively and verbally represent Christ.
That I would have patience to deal with situations which are stressful (they do happen sometimes!!!)
That I would be studious...and learn the material I need to teach (I have NEVER studied grammar as in depth as I am now, since I have to teach it!!)
That I would be articulate...and find creative and sensible ways to communicate new concepts and structures to the students.

Act I Scene II

) Lift up your heads, O gates!
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
that^Q)">(Q) the King of glory may come in.
⁸Who is this King of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty,
the LORD,^R)">(R) mighty in battle!
⁹Lift up your heads, O gates!
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
¹⁰Who is this King of glory?
^S)">(S) The LORD of hosts,
he is the King of glory!
Psalm 24



Well, I sense it is time for another update...
I've been in South Korea now for three weeks!

I'm still surprised!

I just would not have guessed I would be overseas teaching so soon. It was something I hoped I would get the chance to do...but I anticipated it would be one of those "many-years-down-the-road" types of deals.
Couldn't have predicted God would bring me here at the young age of 23!!

I have been reminded lately of God's amazing handiwork in all of creation.
Not only the beauty that he creates in the mountains, the rivers, and his people...but also the circumstances he has arranged. The story He is writing.

I can look back at my life, and even in the last 4 years...even this past year... God has done so much in my life.
In moments like that I feel like a grown tree realizing it was once an acorn. It's hard to believe so much growth has happened.

Then in those same moments I'll look ahead, realizing how much more growth I have to go!
Like a young tree looking to a tall aged tree, hoping it will grow to such heights.

Then this same tree realizes God has planted her by streams of water to quench her thirst. That He prunes her daily, that she might bear more fruit.
That He has set the sun above the skies to warm her.
Then this young tree realizes the forest around her...filled with old trees and older trees. Young trees, and newly planted seeds.

This entire forest tells a story- of the one true King. The one who came to die so that we might be free....free to worship as we were created to, free to grow as we ought to, and free to be what we were intended to be. His.

And here I am in South Korea, teaching K-9th graders English.
It's something I feel honored to do. It's challenging...and a lot of work. But I grow in love for the kids, and the work, daily.

It's also just a small part of a great story...where Christ is central. I think I need to remind myself of this often.

We can only live our lives day by day... One day at a time.

²³Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. ²⁴I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. ²⁵The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. ²⁶Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
John 12

³ He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
Psalm 1