The Bigger Picture...

This blog has proved to be a good tool to update my family and friends on events in my life specifically here in Korea. But now I want to use it to give you a bigger picture of my life beyond Korea. In order for you to understand more about me, let me officially introduce Stephanie Cole. Let me back up a bit. Back in my high school days, Stephanie and I became good friends by our senior year (2001). After graduation, we both went to two different colleges but still remained friends. It has been neat to see how much both of us have grown since high school- but not farther apart. In fact, over the past 5 years God has been placing many similar desires within each of our hearts for traveling and sharing God's love wherever He may lead. God also has given us a common understanding of who He is and how He works. So.. this past summer while I was in Uganda, I made the decision that when I came back to Virginia I would spend more time with Stephanie to see if there could be a relationship (beyond a friendship) in our future together. And that is exactly what we did! After a summer full of late weekends, lots of driving, going to weddings together, family activities, long conversations, and a family vacation... On August 5th, 2006 I asked Stephanie to be my...girlfriend! (Dating with the intent of Marriage to be proper :)
So you might be thinking, "You got into a relationship right before you went to Korea, Jarrod?!" Yes! I feel confident in the decision we made. Both of us feel like we are able to commit to this relationship (even if it's temporarily long distant), and are EXCITED to see what the Lord is doing as He grows us together giving us peace while we are apart. We have been able to keep in touch almost daily which has helped break down the distance, and she even plans to visit here in January.
It is hard to be away from someone you long to be with so much, but I remind myself that our decision has been given to God, so I trust Him for His purpose and the strength for it. We greatly appreciate your prayers!

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Matthew 6:21

Stephanie, I miss you!

One Month!

Well, it's official...I have been in Korea for a whole month! One month ago, I was boarding a plane in Weyers Cave with mom, dad, and Alisia watching through the airport's glass windows. Time here feels like it is moving very quickly. I am done with introductions at Lila Elementary and have moved into actual lessons. It was fun to talk about my family over and over again, and see that the students were interested in them and where I was from and what it's like. I am blessed to have a Korean teacher in the classes with me at Lila. She is able to speak English to me and Korean to the students when necessary. The students themselves are fun. Most of my classes are serious about learning. Sometimes it can be hard to remain 'professional' with them because they love to talk and laugh and I want to too! I'm learning how to balance sternness with playfulness while trying to maintain empathy for the students. Like I mentioned before, after classes at Lila, I eat lunch with the other teachers. During lunch the students go out to the play area and do all sorts of things.(The elementary school has two tall buildings in the shape of an 'L' with the playground in the middle- see picture.)

One day this week, Ken and I went to play basketball with a few of the older students. We had a lot of fun trying to 'ham' up the game. I am thankful to be teaching at Lila, and I love how the students appreciate their teachers. When I'm walking around students come up and say 'Hi, Mr. Jarrod!' and they wave or want to hold my hand or just see what I'll do. I have to remind myself that each one is full of such potential and I don't want to be too busy to encourage them. So it has been fun to stop and take a moment to say hey, ask them their name, how they are doing, or just give them a pat on the back. I love how children are willing to express how they feel and live life in a carefree way. (I this this might have something to do with why Jesus said we must change and become like children). Teaching English can have ups and downs because sometimes I feel like the students are really understanding the material, then other days I feel like we are progressing much slower. But I realize there will be ups and downs because learning is a process. Being around the kids outside of class, I am reminded that they are kids who have their own agendas about life! Sure they want to learn, but they also want to run and jump, play and laugh, compete and show off, and be with their buddies. Kids are so precious, and I am learning that teachers have a special privilege because kids are so eager to grow and be molded.

Before I close out this one month update on teaching, I want to share a special story that happened to me this week. At FFLS, I was beginning on of my classes going over the daily Bible verse. On this particular day, the students had to write down Matthew 16:24 and then they had to read it. "If anyone whould come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." I then began to explain how if people want to have a relationship with Christ they have to deny themselves and bear their cross like Christ- act how He would act. (I shared the example of the W.W.J.D. braclets). After explaining the passage I tell the kids that I am open to answer any questions, but normally they keep quiet- expect this day. A young teenage girl pipped up and asked, "Does going to church make you have a relationship with Jesus?" After explaining how that wasn't always the case, we then talked about how God speaks to us and how he wants us to have a relationship with Him. Then the question came: "How do I have a relationship with Jesus?" I couldn't help but smile at the fact that God had opened this girl's heart to Himself and placed me in the position to point her to Him. "Believe that Jesus came and died for your sins." She said she believed, and I could sense the longing in her to know and be known by God. What a lesson that children simply want to know the truth and are willing to freely believe. I have this same longing within me toward God, but as I get older I see that more questions try to pull me away from Him. How beautiful it is to come to the Lord as a child- simply accepting the fact that God made me, He loves me, and he wants me to love Him too.
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1
I thank the Lord that He has led me here to Korea, to see more of His creation and His people. I am thankful that I am able to talk about Him with my students and to get the privilege of seeing Him move in my life and the lives of those around me.

"He called a little child and had him stand among them. And He said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:2-4

A Weekend Out

Last friday, my boss, Mr. Lee, picked me up to go and get my foreigner's card. On our hour voyage, we had good conversation of getting to know each other more. He even made a couple of good jokes and we enjoyed laughing with each other. After getting my foreigner's card, I taught for an hour at Lila (see picture of classroom), then Mr. Lee drove me back to FFLS where he showed me his motorized scooter and let me try it out. On saturday, we actually drove it to Lila to see if I could make it on the streets of Seoul on a scooter. I followed closely behind Mr. Lee's car, and we did make it safely, but we decided it would be best that I don't travel far on the scooter. Then we headed to the marketplace to meet his wife. Here, they got me lunch and I got to see what a Korean market is like. I also got to meet a friend of Mr. Lee's wife and she gave me a hoodie as a welcome gift. On the way home Mr. Lee decided to stop and look at Motorcycles, as he considered buying one for me to use to drive to Lila (my co-worker, Ken, has one). Realizing I still had things I had to do in order to be able to get my Korean license, he took me back home. The next day Ken and I took the subway to Mr. Lee's church-of about 80,000. (The picture is of the church from the bulletin). Being able to worship with Mr. Lee was a good experience. Even though the service was in the Korean Language, I was still able to sing familiar hymn melodies and was moved by the chior singing 'Onward, Christian Soldiers' in Korean. What a reminder that people all over the world are worshipping God in their own language, and God is over all. Praise is Praise no matter where it comes from. I also got a glimpse at what heaven must be like- seeing hundreds of choir members singing out powerfully to God; how much more so in Heaven.. What an experience!

After church, Ken and I went over to Mr. Lee's apartment were he lives with his wife, daughter, son, and parents. We spent the afternoon talking, then had a Korean style dinner: A boiling pot in the center of the table with many different things to enjoy inside. We each had a bowl and chopsticks, and would use our chopsticks to get food out of the big bowl. Mr. Lee's wife kept adding items like beef, tofu, mushrooms, noodles, seaweed, and other things I'm sure I've never had before. What a fun experience!
I am learning to see Mr. Lee as not only my boss; I see that he also is a man who strives after the Lord (which I am so thankful for) and I also see that he is someone I can have a freindship with. He and his family have been so kind to me from the moment I got here, and God has taught and blessed me greatly through them.

GENEROSITY

I know I have spoken on this topic before, but it has been a lesson which God has been reminding me of, a lesson with so many applications for life. It seems that ever since I've got to Korea, I've not stopped recieving generosity. If it is a cultural thing-then how beautiful it enhances the culture. But I don't think it's only that. I've been told that one out of four Koreans are Christians; and I know a major part of the generosity I've recieved has been from Christians. What a reflection of God's generous love to us, when we are able to freely help someone else. The Bible says, "You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people [which I can vouch for] but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else." I love the last part of these verses because it shows what genuine belief in the gospel of Christ looks like: it is accompanied by obedience; and I believe generosity is a part of this. Yes, when Christians are generous other Christians benefit- but our generosity should reach to others- believers and nonbelievers alike.
From these verses I see that we have been given much, therefore we ought to freely give. I believe God brings people into our lives with needs and when we reach out in love and generosity to them, we are promoting the Gospel. God can use us as a way to meet the needs of those He cares for. Love promotes love. When we love, others are compelled to love. And I think most of us understand this idea, because it lies at the heart of friendship... how much more it should lie at the heart (and actions) of a Christian.
These verses also remind us that we've been made rich in Christ. Maybe I should say it again to emphasize its importance: YOU HAVE BEEN MADE RICH IN CHRIST. No more striving endlessly to build up our riches to help ourselves. Our riches are here! Our barns are full! Our inheritance has come in! Now comes the question that confronts every Christian (financially poor to the financially wealthy alike): What are you doing with your riches? Do they remain in locked away in the barns of our own hearts-keeping us feeling spiritually wealthy when others are spiritually poor? (Blessed are the poor in Spirit...) Or are they pouring forth from us, like living water, to refresh the hearts of those around us? What a privilege to use our riches to help others so they may be led to give-reaching even more people, meeting more needs, sharing more love-with the Kingdom of God going forth powerfully. Maybe this is partly why Jesus said 'it is more blessed to give than to receive.'