Almost September...

This is wild...I've been here a month and a week.  In some ways, it seems like much shorter.  I couldn't possibly have been outside the U.S. for so long.  There is no way it has been that long since I talked to people.  In other ways, it seems like it's been much longer.  I've settled into a routine, made new friends, established my classroom, met all my students, etc, etc, etc.  All that couldn't possibly have happened in such a short time.  So time continues its dichotomous march.

I have been richly blessed.  The Lost newbies (as I've taken to calling us as we've begun watching Lost together weekly) hang out regularly, with honorary additions to the newbie crowd.  It has been great getting to know these people, and I look forward to continuing to build friendships.  I've started helping out with tennis practices, and aside from it just being fun to get out and play a little bit, it's a great opportunity to get to know some of my students outside the classroom.

I am getting to know my students better, both individually and as a group.  I returned quiz results the other day, and quite a few of them, in complete seriousness, made comments like "Oh man!  Only a 96%!  I thought I did better."  I struggled not to goggle at them.  They are incredibly serious about their academics.  I was being goofy yesterday, and without thinking about it too much, put "What is 3 - 2?" on the board as a warm up problem.  They all thought it was some kind of trick or philosophical question.  So from now on, I'll confine my jokes to the verbal medium - what's on the board is canonical.  There's been a little bit of testing, and I think I scared one class when I broke out my teacher voice (not yelling, just speaking sternly).  But they have responded well to what little correction I have needed to dish out.

Today I went out to a cheese factory.  One of the principals put the trip together, and I signed up, thinking it would be fun - milking cows, making cheese and pizza, hanging out with people, and just getting out of the city for a bit.  It turned out to be a bit of a comedy of errors, though I definitely still enjoyed myself.  First off, I realized as we were departing that I was the only one who had come without kids.  But that turned out to be fun, as I got to hang out with some of the little ones I hadn't met before.  We made pizza - the crust was 5-grain, and surprisingly good.  And went to 'milk the cows'.  Apparently something got lost in translation here, because what this entailed was feeding the calves milk from bottles, which, from a certain perspective, could indeed be called 'milking the cows'.  In like manner, 'making cheese', turned out to be more like 'softening cheese that was already made'.  But the company made it all worthwhile :)

After the cheese factory, we went to a site that used to be a kind of school of Confucianism, where people would come to learn the Master's teachings.  The buildings were cool to look around in, but what was really neat was that a woman there showed us the traditional Korean tea ceremony.  I had not known the tea ceremony was a part of Korean culture as well (I had heard of the Chinese and Japanese versions).  It is an elegant ritual, with everything in its proper place - prepared and served just so, with guest and host alike following proper etiquette.  It exemplifies a few things about the Korean culture - the precise attention to detail, patience, and the showing of proper respect.  As one drinks the first cup of tea, it is appropriate to complement the host on the flavor, aroma, presentation, design of the dishes, etc.  Conversation is to be kept to light, positive topics.  The tea is drunk in three swigs.  The woman that walked us through it also made the point that regularly having formal tea like this teaches children when one ought to be formal and serious, and when it is okay to be informal and exuberant, which was not something I had considered.  I have been calling this a 'ceremony' or 'ritual', but it is more a way of receiving guests in a respectful manner, such as when the in-laws or the boss is coming over.  It was fascinating, and gave me a sense that beyond than the characteristics I mentioned, it is a window into the heart of what it means to be Korean in some deep way that lurks outside my comprehension.

I have also found a great church here that I look forward to attending each Sunday.  I like the preaching a lot, and small groups start up next weekend.  I'm looking forward to getting involved in that community, and being in a Bible study again.  I've missed it.

So...while I'm still figuring some things out, I'm feeling more or less comfortable with being here, and, with tennis being a first step, I'm looking to start committing and involving myself beyond my teaching duties.  I just pray that the Lord will use my meager efforts (I have only 5 loaves and 2 fish after all - that cannot possibly feed this many people) to work something glorious in His Name.

Video Tour

Howdy folks!  Apparently blogspot only lets you embed youtube videos, so I can't upload a video directly.  I'll probably write another post sometime soon, but in the meantime, check out my Facebook for a video tour of my neighborhood!

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10100835044785370&comments

First School Week

Yesterday, we concluded week one of school here at YISS.  It was great!  I'm still getting used to having 85 minute class periods instead of 45, so some improvisation was required, but we got through :)  Nothing like a 2 minute stretch break to figure out what you're going to do with the last 20 minutes of class.  Some of the kids even laughed at my jokes.  Maybe they think it will improve their grade.

My kids are fantastic.  They are all very polite, and actually make eye contact and say 'hi' to me of their own volition!  It's completely uncool for an American student to act like they care about the teacher, so it's very refreshing and rewarding for kids to be interested in talking to me.  They come from a variety of faith backgrounds from Christians raised in a Christian home, to Muslims whose parents were just barely okay with them coming to our school.  And everything in between.  I look forward to getting to know them and (hopefully) having an impact on their faith journeys.

I am also cognizant of the friendships forming with my fellow staff members - especially those of us who are new.  It would be easy now that school is going to become isolated, working, going home, relaxing, and not spending time with them.  But I don't want that, and furthermore I think God has called us to more than isolated lives of individual service.  We need those relationships to serve and live to our fullest potential, and it is through those relationships that we garner great blessings of joy and fellowship.  So I'll be looking for (and creating) opportunities to spend time with people outside of school.

It may be difficult to live in a balanced fashion, with the duties (and optional commitments) of school and students, building friendships, maintaining prior relationships, and becoming involved in the local church.  I need much wisdom to prioritize and manage time so that I am maximizing what I can do here.  By the grace of God, I pray that I can do all these things well, and that none will suffer because of the others.

Tonight, we've been invited to go to my principal's house for dinner and fellowship.  I'm looking forward to spending time with everybody.  On Monday, I plan on taking a photo walk to get and post some pictures of my usual haunts in order to share them with y'all (on Facebook).

That's all for now!  Thanks for reading :)

Beginning's End

Today was the first day with students.  Up until this point, I (and the others new to the school) have been the center of attention as we have been given tours, taken to dinner, and generally focused on and looked after.  As of this morning, it's not about us any more.

A sense of reality hits me now.  The time devoted solely to adjustment and preparation is complete.  When I talk of my teaching here, my verbs are now present tense.  I don't know how to convey this turning point in the events and in my mind, but it all seems real now.  I have left the home and family I have been blessed with, left my friends with whom I have lived and laughed, left the cornfields that are so deeply rooted in my heart.  I have left behind everything I have ever known to follow the road God has laid before my feet.  As I write this, I am crying my first tears shed on Korean soil, knowing I am far from the roots formed in the land and people of Illinois.

But there is great joy here too.  I have been blessed with amazing people around me, people helping me, encouraging me, praying for me.  And I am blessed with the friendships I am forming with these people.  I didn't know what I have been missing, working in public school the last two years.  To share devotions as a staff in the morning, to pray for one another at department meetings, and to be able to share a common purpose, common faith with those around me is a blessing that cannot be underestimated.  I can't wait to see what God is going to do this year as this community of faith speaks and acts into the lives of students of all different backgrounds.

Meeting the students today, I have a vision of potential.  These young people could be the leaders of their generation, and we have an opportunity to impact them, to equip them, to teach them and pray for them.  I pray that I can be a picture of Christ, showing my students what it means to live a life of faith, and showing them that they can have the same.  But it is more than "I" - I am not an isolated missionary.  We, the teachers at YISS, have this opportunity, and we walk forward into it together, for as it is written, "...If one falls down, his friend can help him up...a cord of three strands is not quickly broken" (Ecclesiastes 4:10a, 12b).

For all that, the joy and strength I have does not come from seeing my students; it does not come from the people around me, nor does it come from some well within my heart and soul.  All that I have comes from the Lord, and my confidence comes from knowing I am in the center of His will; I know, down to the core of my being, that I am precisely where He wants me to be.  My sorrow for my home does not take away from that - it deepens and enriches my conviction, because I know that I would never have considered leaving my beloved cornfields if not for the work that the Lord has done in me.

Please pray for me.  Pray that I will be faithful in following Christ, living as He would, and that in sorrow and in joy, through rain and sunshine my first instinct would be to turn to the Lord.  Pray that I will be a good teacher, a good friend, and, above all, that I will reflect Christ to those around me.

My last thought is of Job, who upon hearing he had lost all his possessions and family said "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart.  The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." (Job 1:21).  May I give praise to the Lord through all circumstances.