Friends and Family Time

This Christmas I went home to be with my family. I brought my bike with me and got in some awesome rides. I was spoiled as the weather was decent (it did rain a lot) and not to cold, unlike Korea! I enjoyed being with family for the holidays. We have a new edition to the family this year. It isn't a baby..but almost..my brother and sister-in-law now have 2 beautiful dogs. One surprise was to visit with friends from different ends of the country in one place. It is such a gift when we are all able to be in the same place at the same time, both family and friends. I wish it happened more often!

Winter Camp 2006

Winter Camp 2006

Two weeks of Middle School Kids! I had a blast and worked very hard. I taught three classes a day and led a 'free choice activity'. Most times that meant I lead a few kids on a hike. I arrived only a day before it began from the States not sure what I was going to have to do. I spent Christmas with family. When I returned to Korea I had 4 friends who came to work at English camp with me. Three came from NTS and one from my hometown. We worked long days but had a really good time together and a great time with the students. For me it was a great break from college students. Korean kids became "real" for me during these 2 weeks. I enjoyed playing games with them. I loved actually talking with the kids instead of being laughed at by them. On the street here middle school kids say "hi" and then run off and laugh. It has gotten really old. Now I know there is more to them than that. The whole experience made me appreciate people here a little bit more. And it was wonderful to share Korea with some really close friends. Getting to share Korea with friends helped me to re-see this place for the first time. As this place begins to feel a little like home, it was good to be reminded that the normal-ness of living in South Korea isn't exactly normal.

Tour Guide

Here in Korea I've been given the opportunity to do many things I never thought I'd do. One of which happened this January during Winter Camp. Good friends came to help out with camp. On the weekend we went up to Seoul and I became tour guide. We went to one of the biggest churches in the world--Yoido Full Gospel, Seoul Tower, and a palace. We finished the day with some shopping in the freezing cold at Insadong. Abby and I were roomates during the time I was deciding to move to Korea. So to be in Seoul, walking the city, taking the subway, scalling the tower and overlooking the city with her was a true treat.

New Hope Church

These are the beautiful people I "taught" English to in Manila. They knew English very well. We worked on pronunciation and played silly games. They in fact were the teachers. They shared their lives and frustrations with me. They have great hopes like: having surgery to be able to speak, going to Bible college, getting a job, moving to Japan for a "better salary", having a healthy baby or seeing a day when government isn't corrupt. They dream about someday seeing hope realized. What a difference from my list of hopes. Ironic that their church is called "New Hope" Church. I hope for things but my "needs" are diminished in light of their fight to live a basic life. They were eager to share how hard things are for them. I wonder if they can know him, the "New Hope" in an even more profound way than I know the "Hope". They know what it is like to hope for things that have very little certainty. How much greater is Hope, a hope that is certain, known in the face of hopes which are so uncertain.

APNTS Friday Kids

A professor at APNTS(Asia Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary) has a huge heart for an ever growing number of youth near the seminary. They kids are refered to as "squaters". That is the name of their life situation. The land they live on is not technically their own. On this Friday night I joined in on what looked to me life a "youth group" night. The girls and the guys came together for some songs and a prayer. The girls and guys seperated. The girls were led through a Bible study and the guys practiced for the following days evangelistic outreach (evangecubes). The girls had a lot fun with my blond hair and blue eyes. I've never been in a place where I was so intriguing to people.

Arenda--Pasig, Manila

This is Arenda in Pasig, Manila. I want to write, "this is the urban slum". Which I guess technically it is. However, I wonder if that is what the people who live there consider it. "Slum" is such a harsh word. I was taken by trike with some volunteer missionaries into this area of Manila. It was by far the harshest living conditions I've ever seen. I can not imagine what this place is like in the rainly season. The homes are made out of metal or concrete blockes and many if they are lucky have propped up homes because of the flooding problems. My heart was heavy on the days we visited this place. They know a different life than I know. People who live in Arenda are there supposedly because they were squaters and had to be relocated. Or they have moved to Manila from the provinces and are trying to begin a life for themselves. I have to wonder how bad life is for them in the provinces if they have to move to Arenda to "make a life for themselves". Arenda used to be a garbage dump. The city covered the dump with dirt and "provided" this "relocation" area. How nice! (sarcasm) You can see garbage everywhere.
To the left is a Nazarene Church in Arendabuilt by a Nazarene Church in Oregon. This church is now in someway sponsored by Taytay church in Manila. On the weekend they have a teaching and food ministry.

Arenda Naz Kids

The Arenda Nazarene Church had about 300 kids for lunch on Saturday. They do this every Saturday.

Before eating they sang songs and heard a Bible Story.

Little Girl in Arenda

Such a contrast. There is a beautiful little girl in a white dress. To the side and in back of her is trash and a dirty road. This was to the side of the Nazarene Church. Can you imagine what this place is like when the waters come. The roads become muddy and underneath where she is standing must become a pool of water.

The Cooks

The Arenda Nazarene Church cooks.

Peeping Boy in Arenda

I must have been just as much of a sight to see as he was for me. What in the world is a blonde and blue eyed girl doing in Arenda? I wonder if that was his question.

Trike in Arenda

Two of us ladies rode inside the yellow cab and another person rode behind the trike driver. The first time we visited the church we rode all up and down the streets trying to find it. Neither the missionary nor the driver knew where we were off to. People were just staring at us wondering what the heck we were doing there. Trikes in Manila are like flies. They are everywhere and somehow they manage to get into everything or they are just plain in the way. They are able to weave in and out of traffic. Our driver was patient that day as he drove up and down, through mud, to the police station and back to get directions. We were sure to repay him well for his troubles.

A baby and ... me?

Really, no words can do justice to what is being communicated in the photo. Yeah, I spent 3 long days at an orphanage. I actually held, changed and fed babies. WOW! It was an experience for the books for me. Not one I care to duplicate but one I'm very satisfied in completing. A woman worker was killed so there was great need for some volunteer to come and work some shifts. I was free and available so I said I could help. There were 6 infants between 3 and 7 months. 8 hours the first day, 6 hours the second day and 8 hours the third day. I now have greater respect for moms!! Wow, that must be such a hard job. If I ever say "she is JUST a mom" slap me! There were times when all 6 kids were crying. I wasn't alone, however, there was three of us caring for these kids. I learned about the adoption process. I had no idea how difficult it was and how long it took. One of the babies was abandoned into a dumpster at birth. He will not be ready to be adopted until he is 2 years old. The red tape takes a long time especially when the child is abandoned. I had no idea. These babies were precious. For me it was a humbling experience to care for such young kids.

Dream Room

I spendt two nights at a beautiful home. They family is very creative. The room I stayed in is one I don't want to forget. I'd love to have a room like this some day.

The Field Office Staff

What a fun and hospitable group of people. Thanks Guys!!!

The Retreat

I spent 8 days at a Catholic University where I did a directed retreat. I actually stayed at a seminary. The guys (seminarians) had a special Sunday service, Apostolate Day, when I was there. The kids they work with throughout the year were invited to spend the day at the school for a festival. It looked like they had a lot of fun. The retreat was a very special time for me. I've never been so quiet for so long. I found cool places on the campus to sit. There was a great chapel to spend time in. The guys had chapel everyday which I was invited to participate in. They sung so beautifully. I enjoyed time just being with the Lord. It was truly a Vacaction with the Lord. It wasn't always the most fun being alone for 8 days but it was a very rich time and the Lord taught me a lot. Of course, I did manage to find the Starbucks and even a new Spinning Studio. So I wasn't completely alone for all 8 days. The retreat was with a Father Thomas Green. He's written something like 8 books. I highly recommend his writing on prayer. He was a gift to talk to. It is so nice to meet someone who is so far ahead on the journey with the Lord than I.