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