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.'