Rice Delivery...

This morning was a special ministry event at Everlove Church. Rice delivery to the needy. Names had been collected, and a hundred or so people showed up to go out into the community. By the way, it was frozen rice. There we were, standing around laughing and talking in 10 degrees (Fahrenheit!). I was the only non-Korean there, so I stood out a little.

It seems I'm always meeting new people who already know me. Every time I'm in the group someone new gets the courage to come talk to me. They are a little hesitant because their English is shaky and they don't want to look foolish. We exchange the usual "Nice to meet you" and "How are you?" and then look around nervously. Now I use a little Korean which pleases most of them. Oh, and I can read it now, mostly...and very slowly.

Well, we were waiting to start the delivery and the Music Minister got on the portable mic and began to lead. It was in Korean of course, but I knew it well so I jumped in..."Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms...." I'll never get tired of those moments. There He was again saying, "See, I'm everywhere. Look at what I'm doing." I worshipped. The singing was followed by some instructions about how to make the contacts and deliveries. A couple of the staff acted out a few senerios. Although I couldn't understand the words, the laughter was contagious. The Koreans' ability to laugh at themselves is refreshing.

After some final instructions and a sendoff prayer by Pastor Jung, we loaded up. The rice was in 20 kilo bags (44 lbs.), so of course I carried two. That also pleased a few of them. With so many people working, my partner and I only had 3 bags to deliver, so we went to a Chinese restaurant afterward. :) One man we delivered to was crippled. He had a very small apartment, but seemed to have everything he needed. He also had a little pug dog that was literally beside himself to see us. It was a good visit.

Here's the label the church put on each of the bags:

"Hananim oon tangshinul saranghashimnida" (God loves you!)

Where's The Beef...

I wonder what they serve here...

National Government Complex...

These are reproductions of ancient Korean Stuctures.

They have a motion sensor light inside, and those people kind of startled me when I stepped in.

National Government Complex. That's where the one and only subway line begins.

The Russian Atomic Scientist...

Yes, I'm rubbing elbows with the big guys. I had a long conversation with Dr. Valeriy Yugay Sunday. He's a very likeable, down to earth man. He was on the Russian team at several conferences with the U.S. back in the day. He mentioned Vice-President Al Gore. He has been requested by the South Korean government to work here, and this is his third and last time. He is looking forward to retirement.

He talked about his song Ivan (John). Ivan became the head of the institution Valeriy was working at in Russia several years ago. He laughed when he told me they used to say, "Dr. Yugay" and meant him. Now they say, "Dr. Yugay" and mean his son. I told him it's the cycle of life: one day they say, "That's Dr. Yugay's son." The next they say, "That's Dr. Yugay's father." He laughed and nodded. He's very proud of his son.

I asked if he is a Christian. He said, "No." He told me, when he was young his mother invited people from the Russian Orthodox church to the home, but did so in secret. His father was a member of the Communist Party and they frowned on that sort of thing. He said his daughter became a Christian several years ago, but he is not one. That's when other people came up and our conversation ended. Pray that I will have other opportunities to speak with Dr. Yugay.

Sunday Wanderings...

We had a joint English/Korean service Sunday. It was a time of celebration and anointing. We worshipped in both languages and Pastor Paul preached, translating for himself for the Korean people. Fellowship followed, and I spent some time with several ANCF attendees. Luke is a 23 year old man who is here for a year teaching english at a local hagwon. Hagwon is an academy or institute where children (and adults) go after school to learn languages, arts, etc. Luke starting attending ANCF when I did, and he went on the Waterpark trip, too.

By the way, I added a video to the Sangnok Aquapia blog: http://barjonah.blogspot.com/2008/11/sangnok-waterpark.html

Well, by the time the fellowship refreshments came around it was after 2:00 p.m. so I said to Luke, "Want to go find some lunch after this?" He agreed, and Pastor Paul who overheard the conversation got permission from his wife to drive us. We all laughed when she said she let's him go play once in a while.

There wasn't much to the afternoon really, just McDonald's, Krispy Kreme and Technoworld (electronics store). Besides that it was pretty boring. Yes, Krispy Kreme is the same here. Except they are even more liberal with the free samples. Hot off the press. I was disciplined and bought two more. Felt I owed it to them.

Making Kimchi...

The other day a very large quantity of leaf cabbage appeared at the church. Tables were piled high with the stuff, but I really didn't give it much thought. There is so much that I don't understand happening here that I've gotten used to it. But the next day I got an education. I was in the office when I began to hear what sounded like a hornets nest. It was coming from the cafeteria on other side of the office wall. Again, I just shrugged it off. But then, David said, "I will go work now." My curiousity made me follow, and here is what I found.

It's pretty simple really. You take this hot pepper mixture and rub it and spread it between each leaf of the cabbage. Then you put it away somewhere dark for a while to let it ferment. Then you have Kimchi. One of the ladies let me try some of the fresh stuff. I actually like it better than the fermented version. They tell me that everyone makes their own Kimchi around this time - enough for the year. I know what's for lunch from now on...

Hear's a video. Listen for the drone of the hornets.

Thanksgiving...

What can I say about Thanksgiving? *sigh* Think of everything good about Thanksgiving. Yep, it was all there. I met the kids (teenagers from ANCF) at the Christian school and they walked me to the Willoughby's apartment. As the door opened, a wave of Thanksgiving pleasures enveloped me. The sights, the sounds and the smells were everywhere. Children underfoot, great food on the table and even a football game. I was home. I even got to check 6 year old Silas for loose change. (For those who don't understand this proceedure, it requires turning the child upsidedown and shaking to see if money falls out of his pockets. Loads of fun for all involved.)

The menu: turkey (lots of it!), mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, carrots, something green I forgot to get, rolls, grandma's jello mold and real, thick, brown gravy. For dessert there was the choice of pumpkin pie, pecan pie and apple pie. So, of course I had one of each. And best of all, they're good people!! (Thanks Chris!) I was working on my plate when Silas came up to me. With a serious look on his face he said, "When you're finished, you can come play with me if you want." Between the attention he got from me and Luke, he must have slept like a log that night.

There was the ball game, parlor games and alot of good conversation. I hadn't realized before, but conversing with someone who doesn't know your language well is tiring. You don't realize that you are constantly concentrating on speaking slowly and clearly. But Saturday was total relaxation. I even learned how to get the ball games on my PC. Pastor Paul was jealous Sunday when I told him about it. He said he had planned to have me over for steak at Christmas, but I'm not invited anymore.

Thanksgiving: I'm thankful for all the blessings God has given me. I'm thankful for you, for your friendship, your prayers and your support. I'm thankful for this opportunity to grow in new ways. I'm thankful for the family I never knew I had. And I'm thankful for Jesus Christ who made it possible to "Come with what you do not have, and buy what’s undeserved."

Galatians 6:14 "But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

Busy Week...

Sorry it's been so long since my last post. The week was busier than expected.

I have a new addiction..."kyul". They are manderine oranges, and they are everywhere. They peel easily, are seedless and sweet. I can eat almost as many kyul at one time as Krispy Kreme donuts. Every Tuesday, a little market appears in the center parking lot of my apartment complex. They have all sorts of fruits, vegetables, fresh fish and various grain products. I got the 5,000won bag.

Well, Friday I dropped by the local bakery to satisfy my sweet tooth. I attempt to control myself by only taking a couple of things home. The problem is that it's only a block away. At least I have to walk there. Anyway, while I was examining the possibilities, another caucasian man entered the store. As usual, we immediately had something in common and stuck up a conversation. He told me his name is John, and he's originally from the states but now lives in Australia. He was visiting for the weekend to attend a wedding. Then he said the majic words, "Why are you here?"

Never has there been an easier way to share Jesus. I told him of the English Congregation and gave him a brochure I just happened to have in my pocket. He seemed interested, so I wrote my phone number, too. Sure enough, on Sunday morning he called. He and a friend attended our joint English/Korean worship service. He's on his way back to Australia today, so I may never see him again. But I'm glad for the chance to share my Jesus with him. Perhaps one day in heaven I'll be in the manna store and look up to see a familiar face...