Today I'm rejoicing with a special friend of mine who has been trusting and waiting on God for a very long time. She and her husband Brad are probably meeting their precious baby boy at the airport right now. What's even more special is this little boy Matthew is coming from South Korea! I've been so blessed and encouraged by their journey of learning to wait on God. Today marks such a special day of finally seeing the day their hearts have been longing for.
If you're interested in reading, click here.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
In Canada
We've landed in Canada. Blake's parents picked us up from the airport and we stayed at their house for the night. We were both up at 3:30am wide awake. Had a nap today from 12-5pm. Our bodies feel really messed up right now. You'd think we love doing this to ourselves! We came home to find my sister and brother-in-law also living at home with my parents. They had a few unforseen circumstances and had to make a quick move home for a bit.
So...my poor mom moped while we were home on the holidays about the upcoming empty nest. My youngest brother Joel skipped off to Queen's University this September to begin the engineering program. My mom had 9 full days of an empty nest, a clean house and no shoes at the front door. I guess the 4 other kids happened to feel that that was long enough and all decided to come home. :) haha
So...here we've landed. Not sure what the future holds at the moment. Blake had a job prospect, but by the time we got home for the interview it was filled. We're both sending out applications. Hoping and praying that something comes along soon!
So...my poor mom moped while we were home on the holidays about the upcoming empty nest. My youngest brother Joel skipped off to Queen's University this September to begin the engineering program. My mom had 9 full days of an empty nest, a clean house and no shoes at the front door. I guess the 4 other kids happened to feel that that was long enough and all decided to come home. :) haha
So...here we've landed. Not sure what the future holds at the moment. Blake had a job prospect, but by the time we got home for the interview it was filled. We're both sending out applications. Hoping and praying that something comes along soon!
Decision Day
Monday, September 14th,
Today is D-Day. We've been assured that if the president initiates the interview then we're in. We will go forward with the job if he calls. So...we're now praying that if we are not meant to be in Korea then the door would close, that the president would be busy or something would happen. We are giving him til 6pm today and then we will go forward with booking our tickets home to Canada.
6pm
He did not call. We have prayed through this decision so much and feel that this is clear indication that we are being directed home to Canada. We tried to book our tickets for Thursday or Friday this week, but the price jumped astronomically so we had to book for Wednesday. That gives us one day to do all our paperwork and say a LOT of goodbyes to some really dear friends. We're feeling all mixed up emotionally, but relieved to finally have some sense of direction.
Today is D-Day. We've been assured that if the president initiates the interview then we're in. We will go forward with the job if he calls. So...we're now praying that if we are not meant to be in Korea then the door would close, that the president would be busy or something would happen. We are giving him til 6pm today and then we will go forward with booking our tickets home to Canada.
6pm
He did not call. We have prayed through this decision so much and feel that this is clear indication that we are being directed home to Canada. We tried to book our tickets for Thursday or Friday this week, but the price jumped astronomically so we had to book for Wednesday. That gives us one day to do all our paperwork and say a LOT of goodbyes to some really dear friends. We're feeling all mixed up emotionally, but relieved to finally have some sense of direction.
Waiting
Friday, September11th
Our job prospect is with a university in southern Seoul. If hired, we would be university professors (hilarious eh!?) teaching English to university students. Our good friend Will is currently working there and called us to say that 2 professors had not worked out and they needed to fill those 2 positions. We scrambled together some 'sophisticated professor type' clothing and ran out to the university for a meeting. The guy that hires was extremely busy and made us wait a long time while he dealt with other issues. We were quite content to wander around and just talk. The hiring guy finally a had a bit of free time over dinner so we went with him to chat. He expressed to us that he really wanted to hire us and would be the one to do so, but we needed to first shake the hands of the president and have an 'interview' with him. The president was the one that needed to initiate this meeting and the actual 'hiring guy' could not rush the process despite the need in the English department. This process really reflects a lot of the Korean culture.
Anyways...we have waited all week. We have really prayed that God would direct our steps. We resolved that we would walk through the door if it opened, but if it closed we would go home to Canada. We wrote the hiring guy an email telling him that we needed to make a decision by Friday at 6pm. He phone us at 4:30pm on Friday pleading with us to wait until Monday because the president would have time to meet with us on Monday.
So...here we are waiting til Monday.
Jenn and Jord are such amazing friends and continue to put us up in their loft. We're playing lots of euchre and Jenn and I are baking and having a grand time. I think Blake and I have assumed the role of the household pet. We're sad to see the go in the morning and are so excited for them to come home to feed us and play with us.
Our job prospect is with a university in southern Seoul. If hired, we would be university professors (hilarious eh!?) teaching English to university students. Our good friend Will is currently working there and called us to say that 2 professors had not worked out and they needed to fill those 2 positions. We scrambled together some 'sophisticated professor type' clothing and ran out to the university for a meeting. The guy that hires was extremely busy and made us wait a long time while he dealt with other issues. We were quite content to wander around and just talk. The hiring guy finally a had a bit of free time over dinner so we went with him to chat. He expressed to us that he really wanted to hire us and would be the one to do so, but we needed to first shake the hands of the president and have an 'interview' with him. The president was the one that needed to initiate this meeting and the actual 'hiring guy' could not rush the process despite the need in the English department. This process really reflects a lot of the Korean culture.
Anyways...we have waited all week. We have really prayed that God would direct our steps. We resolved that we would walk through the door if it opened, but if it closed we would go home to Canada. We wrote the hiring guy an email telling him that we needed to make a decision by Friday at 6pm. He phone us at 4:30pm on Friday pleading with us to wait until Monday because the president would have time to meet with us on Monday.
So...here we are waiting til Monday.
Jenn and Jord are such amazing friends and continue to put us up in their loft. We're playing lots of euchre and Jenn and I are baking and having a grand time. I think Blake and I have assumed the role of the household pet. We're sad to see the go in the morning and are so excited for them to come home to feed us and play with us.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Clouding Clarity
So I just wanted to apologize for anyone who has been following this wild ride this last little while. We feel like yo-yo's going back and forth and just not knowing much. Again, the plot thickens and we're not sure what we're doing. I think we're going to be in need of some intense pyschological counselling by the time this is all through!
Here's the latest...
We thought that the door closing at the hagwon meant we were being directed to Canada. We haven't gotten around to changing our flight yet because paperwork with our schools is taking a bit of time. Yesterday a lot of strange things happened including a very good possibility that some of the best jobs in Korea landed on our laps. With these jobs we'd have a lot more vacation time which means we could go home and be with family for significant periods of time throughout the year. Not sure if this is a temptation to allure us to stay when we should be going back to Canada or whether it's God's provision and the opportunity of a lifetime.
Sooo...here we go again. Praying for God to give us wisdom and discernment as we stand with a huge decision before us. Also praying that God would slam that door shut very clearly (and quickly) if it's not where we're meant to be.
Here's the latest...
We thought that the door closing at the hagwon meant we were being directed to Canada. We haven't gotten around to changing our flight yet because paperwork with our schools is taking a bit of time. Yesterday a lot of strange things happened including a very good possibility that some of the best jobs in Korea landed on our laps. With these jobs we'd have a lot more vacation time which means we could go home and be with family for significant periods of time throughout the year. Not sure if this is a temptation to allure us to stay when we should be going back to Canada or whether it's God's provision and the opportunity of a lifetime.
Sooo...here we go again. Praying for God to give us wisdom and discernment as we stand with a huge decision before us. Also praying that God would slam that door shut very clearly (and quickly) if it's not where we're meant to be.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Clarity
Saturday morning
I woke up this morning and the first thing on my mind was Abraham and Isaac. God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac. God had made many promises to Abraham that were to be fulfilled through this son Isaac, yet God was then asking him to kill his son. I can imagine the confusion Abraham felt ask God seemingly wasn't making sense! However, Abraham stepped out in faith in spite of the confusion and heartache and got right down to the moment where his promised son was tied down on the altar and the killing knife was in the air. At that moment God stepped in and told him to stop. The point was to bring him to a crisis of faith and to trust in the wisdom of God above what seemed to make sense.
Maybe I'm making assumptions, but I'm wondering if our situation with the hagwon is similar. Perhaps God was asking us to step out in faith and say 'yes' with the intention of simply bringing a crisis of faith. This week we have had to trust and seek God in ways that have been extremely difficult, but maybe that was the whole point.
I shared with Blake and he said that the same word had been given to him! Craziness!
Sooo...I think we're coming home to Canada!
Sunday morning
We're on our way to one of the last meetings with our church and we have mixed emotions. This church has been such a blessing and we are so sad to say goodbye.
I woke up this morning and the first thing on my mind was Abraham and Isaac. God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac. God had made many promises to Abraham that were to be fulfilled through this son Isaac, yet God was then asking him to kill his son. I can imagine the confusion Abraham felt ask God seemingly wasn't making sense! However, Abraham stepped out in faith in spite of the confusion and heartache and got right down to the moment where his promised son was tied down on the altar and the killing knife was in the air. At that moment God stepped in and told him to stop. The point was to bring him to a crisis of faith and to trust in the wisdom of God above what seemed to make sense.
Maybe I'm making assumptions, but I'm wondering if our situation with the hagwon is similar. Perhaps God was asking us to step out in faith and say 'yes' with the intention of simply bringing a crisis of faith. This week we have had to trust and seek God in ways that have been extremely difficult, but maybe that was the whole point.
I shared with Blake and he said that the same word had been given to him! Craziness!
Sooo...I think we're coming home to Canada!
Sunday morning
We're on our way to one of the last meetings with our church and we have mixed emotions. This church has been such a blessing and we are so sad to say goodbye.
Confusion
Friday night
Just got home and received a phone call from our pastor Jae. He said that 2 members of the leadership team woke up that morning and felt that God was giving them a very clear word that the hagwon was not to open. God seemed to be telling them to trust Him with the church rent for now. Jae said he was sorry, but the positions were no longer available.
So...we're going to sleep tonight super confused. We thought God was calling on us to say yes and to step out in faith. He seemed to confirm each step toward staying longer in Korea. Did we completely misread the signs?? We've been giving this to God so often and asking for CLEAR confirmation. What the heck?!?! Why were we put through this week of stress if it wasn't meant to be from the beginning. We do feel peace though that God has clearly closed the door. We followed as far as we thought and God is seemingly now directing us toward Canada.
Just got home and received a phone call from our pastor Jae. He said that 2 members of the leadership team woke up that morning and felt that God was giving them a very clear word that the hagwon was not to open. God seemed to be telling them to trust Him with the church rent for now. Jae said he was sorry, but the positions were no longer available.
So...we're going to sleep tonight super confused. We thought God was calling on us to say yes and to step out in faith. He seemed to confirm each step toward staying longer in Korea. Did we completely misread the signs?? We've been giving this to God so often and asking for CLEAR confirmation. What the heck?!?! Why were we put through this week of stress if it wasn't meant to be from the beginning. We do feel peace though that God has clearly closed the door. We followed as far as we thought and God is seemingly now directing us toward Canada.
Chaotic Week Part 4
Friday September 4th
Continuing to give this to God. Still not sure about the details. Still having moments of inner anxiety, but peace that we are following what we believe is God's leading. We are continuing to ask for confirmation and even random little details are working together to point us towards working with the church/hagwon. Feeling a desire to distance myself from people who ask me a lot of questions. I don't feel I have many answers right now. Times with God are so great and I feel so much peace when I give it all to him. I'm not able to stray far at this point because my over analytical brain drives me crazy. Feeling like God is just saying to wait now.
I went out with Hannah and I am so blessed by our times together. She's pretty sick right now with the possibility of a brain tumour. She's got so many questions for God too and yet has so much joy. She told me that times like these make for really intimate encounters with God and she is simply revelling in them. That's how I've been feeling this past week too. She was praying over our situation last night and felt came across a verse that she felt was meant for us. "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law." Deuteronomy 29:29 This theme keeps repeating itself. We want answers and I think we're supposed to trust God with the details we can't figure out. So difficult for me!
I have never been apart of a church like this before! There is an air of anticipation and God seems to be working in ways that I've only ever read about in books. We are becoming such a tight group of believers at this church. Our mid-week meeting together was so great this week. We sense God is really moving and yet there appears to be a lot of opposition and pain (which would make sense). God is blessing us in so many little ways through them!
I think my tendency in a time like this is to take a very practical approach and look at things from a worldly perspective. These people won't let me do that! I'm also starting to wonder if the reason we're to be living in a one-room apartment with Jenn and Jordan is so that encouraging friends are super close-by. They have been such a support this past week. They are so understanding and can hurt with us, but also won't let us simply bail out and take what appears to be the easy road.
My Vice-Principal called and asked to go out for dinner with me last night. Blake walked me to the restaurant (you know my navigating abilities :) and then my VP wanted him to stay with us. This woman is not a particularly easy woman to work for and I've had to work extremely hard under her. She speaks English and she heads up many English programs which means she's super involved in my work. She's like the all-seeing eye at my school. She's had problems with many other English teachers who can't handle her. I hate conflict so I've simply tried to bite the bullet and try to impress her this past semester. I guess it worked! She was so complimentary last night and I feel so encouraged. She also listened to Blake's situation and is now going after his school to restore what is due. She's a fierce woman of influence and I wouldn't want to get on her bad side. We are so thankful that she is now working for us!
Continuing to give this to God. Still not sure about the details. Still having moments of inner anxiety, but peace that we are following what we believe is God's leading. We are continuing to ask for confirmation and even random little details are working together to point us towards working with the church/hagwon. Feeling a desire to distance myself from people who ask me a lot of questions. I don't feel I have many answers right now. Times with God are so great and I feel so much peace when I give it all to him. I'm not able to stray far at this point because my over analytical brain drives me crazy. Feeling like God is just saying to wait now.
I went out with Hannah and I am so blessed by our times together. She's pretty sick right now with the possibility of a brain tumour. She's got so many questions for God too and yet has so much joy. She told me that times like these make for really intimate encounters with God and she is simply revelling in them. That's how I've been feeling this past week too. She was praying over our situation last night and felt came across a verse that she felt was meant for us. "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law." Deuteronomy 29:29 This theme keeps repeating itself. We want answers and I think we're supposed to trust God with the details we can't figure out. So difficult for me!
I have never been apart of a church like this before! There is an air of anticipation and God seems to be working in ways that I've only ever read about in books. We are becoming such a tight group of believers at this church. Our mid-week meeting together was so great this week. We sense God is really moving and yet there appears to be a lot of opposition and pain (which would make sense). God is blessing us in so many little ways through them!
I think my tendency in a time like this is to take a very practical approach and look at things from a worldly perspective. These people won't let me do that! I'm also starting to wonder if the reason we're to be living in a one-room apartment with Jenn and Jordan is so that encouraging friends are super close-by. They have been such a support this past week. They are so understanding and can hurt with us, but also won't let us simply bail out and take what appears to be the easy road.
My Vice-Principal called and asked to go out for dinner with me last night. Blake walked me to the restaurant (you know my navigating abilities :) and then my VP wanted him to stay with us. This woman is not a particularly easy woman to work for and I've had to work extremely hard under her. She speaks English and she heads up many English programs which means she's super involved in my work. She's like the all-seeing eye at my school. She's had problems with many other English teachers who can't handle her. I hate conflict so I've simply tried to bite the bullet and try to impress her this past semester. I guess it worked! She was so complimentary last night and I feel so encouraged. She also listened to Blake's situation and is now going after his school to restore what is due. She's a fierce woman of influence and I wouldn't want to get on her bad side. We are so thankful that she is now working for us!
Chaotic Week Part 3
Thursday September 3rd
Distressed and overwhelmed inside. Feeling so weak and frail and at the end of myself to take this step of faith. We feel like God is asking us to go forward. This was the Psalm that spoke so deeply to my heart today.
1 O LORD, hear my prayer,
listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness
come to my relief.
Distressed and overwhelmed inside. Feeling so weak and frail and at the end of myself to take this step of faith. We feel like God is asking us to go forward. This was the Psalm that spoke so deeply to my heart today.
1 O LORD, hear my prayer,
listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness
come to my relief.
2 Do not bring your servant into judgment,
for no one living is righteous before you.
3 The enemy pursues me,
he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in darkness
like those long dead.
4 So my spirit grows faint within me;
my heart within me is dismayed.
5 I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all your works
and consider what your hands have done.
6 I spread out my hands to you;
my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.
7 Answer me quickly, O LORD;
my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me
or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
9 Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD,
for I hide myself in you.
10 Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.
11 For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life;
in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;
destroy all my foes,
for I am your servant.
God give me the strength and faith to do your will! I am so weak and frail, but in this frailty I know that Jesus is my strength so we say yes to this process. Please continue to confirm if this is Your will! I have talked and sang about how your presence is better than physical comforts and our own plans and yet I am often never put to the test in this regard. You have asked so much more of others. I'm crying out for more faith!
Chaotic Week Part 2
Tuesday September 1st
Jae and Hannah have offered us the jobs with the hagwon and they need an answer really soon. At this point our heads are spinning and we don't feel good about anything.
This past vacation in Canada I felt that our time in Korea was coming to a close in the near future. We were planning to work at our jobs until December and then be done for good. I felt I communicated to our families that we were going to be done soon as well.
The hagwon needs us to make a year long commitment which would take us til October 2010. There are a lot of risks we would need to make as the contract would work a little differently than those we've had in the past. The priority would need to be paying the rent for the church and we would be paid after the rent was covered. The area that the church/hagwon is located makes for a sure gold mine so we're not entirely concerned. There are parents already knocking on the door asking when it will open.
My heart and stomach are burning inside me. All indicators seem to pointing towards going forward with the hagwon/ministry, yet I just hurt so much inside. I'm having such a hard time with the year commitment. I have so many questions. I'm having such a hard time asking my family to let us go another year. I don't want to hurt them or cause them any pain.
We're desperately seeking God and searching God out through Scripture. I'm feeling so overwhelmed inside and so uneasy about the implications of saying yes to this opportunity, yet God seems to keep saying 'Be still' and 'don't worry' and 'leave the implications to me.'
Wednesday, September 2nd
We're not sleeping well and my stomach is in absolute knots. We are putting out fleeces and asking God for peace and leading and He seemingly keeps directing towards the hagwon. I still don't want to commit to another year in Korea, but I'm starting to wonder if this is the sacrifice God is asking of me. "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails" Proverbs 19:21. I know our emotions can often mislead and where we want to go is not always where God wants us to be. We sat down with Hannah today to talk about the contract and our internal struggle. Hannah confided that when she and Jae were in America for 3 years, they were then called on to stay an additional 2 years. She wanted to be home with family and the comforts of home, but God was calling them to stay. She said that those 2 additional years were a time of huge spiritual growth and closeness with God. Obedience is more important than following what's comfortable. We feel we're at those crossroads right now. Facing the decision of desperately wanting the comforts of home and desiring closeness with family, yet God is seemingly calling us to step out in faith, put everything on the line and say yes. I'm terrified. It hurts to talk to family right now. We don't have answers.
Jae and Hannah have offered us the jobs with the hagwon and they need an answer really soon. At this point our heads are spinning and we don't feel good about anything.
This past vacation in Canada I felt that our time in Korea was coming to a close in the near future. We were planning to work at our jobs until December and then be done for good. I felt I communicated to our families that we were going to be done soon as well.
The hagwon needs us to make a year long commitment which would take us til October 2010. There are a lot of risks we would need to make as the contract would work a little differently than those we've had in the past. The priority would need to be paying the rent for the church and we would be paid after the rent was covered. The area that the church/hagwon is located makes for a sure gold mine so we're not entirely concerned. There are parents already knocking on the door asking when it will open.
My heart and stomach are burning inside me. All indicators seem to pointing towards going forward with the hagwon/ministry, yet I just hurt so much inside. I'm having such a hard time with the year commitment. I have so many questions. I'm having such a hard time asking my family to let us go another year. I don't want to hurt them or cause them any pain.
We're desperately seeking God and searching God out through Scripture. I'm feeling so overwhelmed inside and so uneasy about the implications of saying yes to this opportunity, yet God seems to keep saying 'Be still' and 'don't worry' and 'leave the implications to me.'
Wednesday, September 2nd
We're not sleeping well and my stomach is in absolute knots. We are putting out fleeces and asking God for peace and leading and He seemingly keeps directing towards the hagwon. I still don't want to commit to another year in Korea, but I'm starting to wonder if this is the sacrifice God is asking of me. "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails" Proverbs 19:21. I know our emotions can often mislead and where we want to go is not always where God wants us to be. We sat down with Hannah today to talk about the contract and our internal struggle. Hannah confided that when she and Jae were in America for 3 years, they were then called on to stay an additional 2 years. She wanted to be home with family and the comforts of home, but God was calling them to stay. She said that those 2 additional years were a time of huge spiritual growth and closeness with God. Obedience is more important than following what's comfortable. We feel we're at those crossroads right now. Facing the decision of desperately wanting the comforts of home and desiring closeness with family, yet God is seemingly calling us to step out in faith, put everything on the line and say yes. I'm terrified. It hurts to talk to family right now. We don't have answers.
Chaotic Week Part 1
Monday August 31st
We are officially bums. Jobless, homeless and not sure of direction. We are so confused. We had been praying throughout the spring months about whether we should return to Korea or not. We felt we had the go ahead with returning for a few months during the fall and then finally going home for good at Christmas time. We are convinced that all things are for purpose and that God has a reason for leading us back to Korea, but we're just so confused at this point. Blake is also facing complications with his contract and school. He has been dealing with some malicious women this entire year and they are being very difficult at this point. It looks like he will be losing quite a bit of money at this point. While we are not in desperate need of this money, it's discouraging because it is unfair.
On a completely different topic, I wanted to share a little about the church we have been growing with these past few months. It is a small church plant in Seoul headed by a Korean couple who received training in the US. We have grown to absolutely love this body of believers and have been so richly blessed by them. I especially have grown to love the pastor's wife Hannah. She is our Korean teacher and we've been having so many heart-to-heart talks lately. She is so open and honest about struggles, but has faith like very few I know. I am learning so much from her.
Blake has also been growing in leadership and the church has been recognizing his gifts and providing outlets for him to use them. I have been seeing so many changes in Blake.
Because this is a new church plant there are so many things that are not established. God has been directing the leadership team in some very clear ways, but it is requiring us all to be seeking God continuously for direction and where He is leading.
One of the things that has been happening as of late is that the small office building where we have been meeting is now too small. The church is growing and it's time for a new location. The problem with a new location is that rent is extremely expensive. Seoul is one of the most expensive places in the world to live and so you can imagine that price of rent right in the heart of Seoul. At this point the church is not able to afford the rent and have been calling on other ministries for support during these initial months. However, these attempts have been fruitless as of late. It became clear that God was calling on the church to go forward with the move and step out in faith regarding the finances.
The pastor and his wife (Jae and Hannah) used to run a school for teaching kids English (called a hagwon) before they began their ministry training in the US. It was a lucrative business and Jae was so successful that he was asked begin a counseling business for other hagwon owners. Because of this experience, Jae and Hannah felt that God was calling them to support the church ministry with a hagwon business. The hagwon would be run during the week while the church would be held in the same location on the weekends. There would be opportunity to make connections in the community with the kids and this could be used to reach them and their families with the gospel.
This brings me to now... we have just found out that we no longer have our jobs. We were brought back to Korea and are not sure why. A few hours after we receive this news, our pastor Jae called us to say that they went ahead with the new church location with the hagwon business. There were four classrooms in this place and they were simply praying that God would bring teachers. We told our pastor that we had just lost our jobs and he went silent. He said that he had just received word that another friend at church (Dan) had a similar situation with his visa. Our other friend (Ben) was finishing a contract and needed a job.
While we were on holidays in Canada, the church felt God's leading to go ahead with this move which would require 4 teachers. A few days later 4 teachers in the congregation were all jobless. Crazy! We are not sure if God is truly leading us to participate in the hagwon, but we do recognize how seemingly bizarre this situation is. Our pastor has offered us the position and we are praying for very clear direction. Please pray with us!
We are officially bums. Jobless, homeless and not sure of direction. We are so confused. We had been praying throughout the spring months about whether we should return to Korea or not. We felt we had the go ahead with returning for a few months during the fall and then finally going home for good at Christmas time. We are convinced that all things are for purpose and that God has a reason for leading us back to Korea, but we're just so confused at this point. Blake is also facing complications with his contract and school. He has been dealing with some malicious women this entire year and they are being very difficult at this point. It looks like he will be losing quite a bit of money at this point. While we are not in desperate need of this money, it's discouraging because it is unfair.
On a completely different topic, I wanted to share a little about the church we have been growing with these past few months. It is a small church plant in Seoul headed by a Korean couple who received training in the US. We have grown to absolutely love this body of believers and have been so richly blessed by them. I especially have grown to love the pastor's wife Hannah. She is our Korean teacher and we've been having so many heart-to-heart talks lately. She is so open and honest about struggles, but has faith like very few I know. I am learning so much from her.
Blake has also been growing in leadership and the church has been recognizing his gifts and providing outlets for him to use them. I have been seeing so many changes in Blake.
Because this is a new church plant there are so many things that are not established. God has been directing the leadership team in some very clear ways, but it is requiring us all to be seeking God continuously for direction and where He is leading.
One of the things that has been happening as of late is that the small office building where we have been meeting is now too small. The church is growing and it's time for a new location. The problem with a new location is that rent is extremely expensive. Seoul is one of the most expensive places in the world to live and so you can imagine that price of rent right in the heart of Seoul. At this point the church is not able to afford the rent and have been calling on other ministries for support during these initial months. However, these attempts have been fruitless as of late. It became clear that God was calling on the church to go forward with the move and step out in faith regarding the finances.
The pastor and his wife (Jae and Hannah) used to run a school for teaching kids English (called a hagwon) before they began their ministry training in the US. It was a lucrative business and Jae was so successful that he was asked begin a counseling business for other hagwon owners. Because of this experience, Jae and Hannah felt that God was calling them to support the church ministry with a hagwon business. The hagwon would be run during the week while the church would be held in the same location on the weekends. There would be opportunity to make connections in the community with the kids and this could be used to reach them and their families with the gospel.
This brings me to now... we have just found out that we no longer have our jobs. We were brought back to Korea and are not sure why. A few hours after we receive this news, our pastor Jae called us to say that they went ahead with the new church location with the hagwon business. There were four classrooms in this place and they were simply praying that God would bring teachers. We told our pastor that we had just lost our jobs and he went silent. He said that he had just received word that another friend at church (Dan) had a similar situation with his visa. Our other friend (Ben) was finishing a contract and needed a job.
While we were on holidays in Canada, the church felt God's leading to go ahead with this move which would require 4 teachers. A few days later 4 teachers in the congregation were all jobless. Crazy! We are not sure if God is truly leading us to participate in the hagwon, but we do recognize how seemingly bizarre this situation is. Our pastor has offered us the position and we are praying for very clear direction. Please pray with us!
Sunday
Sunday, August 30th
We are safely back to our apartment in Seoul. We had a few issues with immigration and our working visa here in Korea. It's a complicated situation and difficult to explain, but here's the short version....We needed to renew our visa before we left the country. We did do this and had all the paperwork in order, but a re-entry sticker attached to our passport was missing. We were under certain assumptions based on past experiences which have turned out not to work this time. Sooo...our visas were taken away and we had to enter the country as visitors. The problem became so much bigger because there is no quick fix in Korea. 2 years ago a foreigner in Korea was sexually abusing children while on a working visa. The Korean government reacted strongly (as it should) and has made the visa process quite complicated for teachers. We are now stuck in the system. It will be weeks to fix the problem and Blake's school in particular is not willing to wait. Our apartment is tied to our place of employment so we had to get out as soon as possible. Our good friends Jenn and Jordan have let us stay with them while we figure out life.
We are safely back to our apartment in Seoul. We had a few issues with immigration and our working visa here in Korea. It's a complicated situation and difficult to explain, but here's the short version....We needed to renew our visa before we left the country. We did do this and had all the paperwork in order, but a re-entry sticker attached to our passport was missing. We were under certain assumptions based on past experiences which have turned out not to work this time. Sooo...our visas were taken away and we had to enter the country as visitors. The problem became so much bigger because there is no quick fix in Korea. 2 years ago a foreigner in Korea was sexually abusing children while on a working visa. The Korean government reacted strongly (as it should) and has made the visa process quite complicated for teachers. We are now stuck in the system. It will be weeks to fix the problem and Blake's school in particular is not willing to wait. Our apartment is tied to our place of employment so we had to get out as soon as possible. Our good friends Jenn and Jordan have let us stay with them while we figure out life.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Healing God
Blake's father was diagnosed with severe heart disease a couple weeks ago. He was sent for some extensive health tests and we have been waiting on the results since that time.
We have been praying with our church here in Korea for him and Blake's dad's church has been holding prayer services for him as well. Neil has been confidently sharing that God was taking care of him and that he was going to be healed.
Yesterday we received news that the test results had come in and that they found no evidence of heart disease! They don't really understand the results aside from a miracle.
We're standing in awe at the moment, reminded that our God is in control! He is a healing God and has chosen to show mercy to our family in this powerful way. Even through the short conversation we've had with Neil we are blessed to hear how his faith has been strengthened and how he is praising God for the work that has been done in his life.
This news has brought praise to our lips as well and we are reminded of how big and powerful our God is. We stand in the midst of crisis right now. I'm feeling a lot of internal stress because many of the daily comforts I put faith in have been taken away. I have been reminded through this time that Christ alone is my anchor.
Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed,
and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
though the mountains shake with its swelling.
There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge.
Come behold the works of the LORD,
Who has made desolations in the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge!
Lord we believe! Help our unbelief!
We have been praying with our church here in Korea for him and Blake's dad's church has been holding prayer services for him as well. Neil has been confidently sharing that God was taking care of him and that he was going to be healed.
Yesterday we received news that the test results had come in and that they found no evidence of heart disease! They don't really understand the results aside from a miracle.
We're standing in awe at the moment, reminded that our God is in control! He is a healing God and has chosen to show mercy to our family in this powerful way. Even through the short conversation we've had with Neil we are blessed to hear how his faith has been strengthened and how he is praising God for the work that has been done in his life.
This news has brought praise to our lips as well and we are reminded of how big and powerful our God is. We stand in the midst of crisis right now. I'm feeling a lot of internal stress because many of the daily comforts I put faith in have been taken away. I have been reminded through this time that Christ alone is my anchor.
Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed,
and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
though the mountains shake with its swelling.
There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge.
Come behold the works of the LORD,
Who has made desolations in the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge!
Lord we believe! Help our unbelief!
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