Zoom!

Time seems to be passing quickly here in Korea and a new month has come bringing with it more cool days and feelings of fall that make me want to go put on a sweater and play backyard football. Unfortunately, I haven't seen a football here yet, but I have been able to play more basketball. That has been enjoyable because not only does it give me exercise, I've also been able to make some new friends. As a matter of fact, just yesterday I met a Frenchman who spoke English, and we ended up having a long discussion about God after one of our games. As we were talking, I thought to myself how much I wanted to share Christ with him but at the same time it was hard to know how best to do that. He told me he didn't know if God existed or not and he was content with not knowing. He told me that life is about happiness and learning from mistakes. I tried asking him questions to see where I might be able to bring in the Good News (like seeing God in creation or what he thought about sin), but he would resort to saying that he didn't know or it didn't matter. I didn't know exactly how God was working in our conversation, but I was thankful that the man did ask some about what I believed. It saddens my heart that some people are content to not seek God. They think it's okay to wait to find out about Him. But what they are missing out on is a relationship with the one who made them, who saved them, and who can give them purpose to live. As much as I want this man to believe, I see that a relationship with God isn't something people should be reasoned into (or they might be reasoned out of it). Coming to God is a matter of a changed heart which leads to a changed life in humility before our awesome Creator- and this supernatural change must come from the Lord. So what am I going to do in the mean time? Live my life with the purpose I've received- striving to reflect Christ's love to others and share that in words when given the opportunity... We left on a good note, and I hope to see him on the courts again soon :)

As for other parts of my life, I am still searching for a church to regularly attend. I have been visiting many different English services since I've been here, but I really want to connect with one congregation- worshipping with them, getting to know them, and seeing ways to serve with them. Today I attended Kwanglim Methodist Church, which I've been told is the largest Methodist church in the world! (About a 5 minute walk from my apartment.) When I got there, I was hoping to find someone who could help me find out about the English service. I found one man, but he could only tell me '3rd floor'. When I when up there, I found the place where they give out headsets so you could listen to the Korean service being translated into English (high tech, but appreciated). After getting a headset, I walked into the Korean Service and a greeter, noticing I was alone, pointed me down toward the front of the balcony. I sat down in the empty seat next to a white person who introduced himself and helped me with my headset.. And as God would have it, he actually was the minister for the English service! Who better to answer my questions about the English service then the pastor- what a privilege. After the service, he took me out for a hamburger and we got to know each other better. We had to cut our conversation a little short because we had to go back to the church for the English service at 1:30pm. I felt very welcomed there and hope to attend again.

Many other things are happening, and I hope to write more soon. It's always good to be able to reflect on my life here and things I'm learning- but it's even better to be living it!

"..He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in Him we live and move and have our being'..." (Acts 17:26-28)