every culture

I am currently staying at AG home. http://www.aghome.org.sg/ This is an amazing place started by a pastor 20 years ago when he started letting troubled girls into his home. Now this is an institution that up to 60 girls can live at. For some, this is the last stop before jail. This has become a place for those mandated by the court system as well as a safe haven from those who suffer from abuse or are orphaned. The girls live together, play together, and work together. Many go to school outside the home and are also taught vocational skills here at AG home. Currently I hear a drum lesson or practice session going on- a very talented group of musicians, artists and athletes reside here if they are given a chance to shine.
But there is also a lot of pain. Many of these girls have lived rough lives that I cannot even imagine- some by their own making and some through no fault of their own. I have had to face this fact as I accidently saw scars from cutting, a practice of self harm, discussed what it was like to be an orphan, and discussed with a young woman who is already incredibly slender her weightloss goals of losing 15 pounds (completely not needed but she cannot see past her own version of her own self image). This is coupled with a spirit of childhood joy- I have seen teenage girls relish in games that an American teenager would NEVER participate in and have them enjoy doing it. Below is a picture of the girls taking on a game of laser tag that lasted 2 hours. I have been embraced fully here in only 2 days when it took me months to earn the respect from the American teenagers I have worked with.
There is a song, I am not even sure who wrote it that asks God to break our hearts for what breaks His heart. I think this is one of those things. Please pray for troubled youth everywhere. Those that do not know that they are beautiful the way God made them, those who turn to self harm or drugs to separate themselves from their pain, those who have been abused, those who run away for whatever reason, and the orphans of this world. Pray not only for the girls of AG home but for those in your neighborhood…the more I travel and learn and experience the more I know that you may have one in your own school, neighborhood, church, or home. I am amazed at the similarities in all cultures. I have seen these faces and issues many times before and I fear this is far from my last chance as well.

silence is golden

I find myself thinking a lot about silence. One resounding theme that has arisen is the idea of silence and listening. I think that I already knew this but it is always good to be reminded. I am reminded that in order to effectively serve any people you have to truly listen to them. You have to care enough to say less than they do. A classmate once said that “God gave me one mouth and two ears…I think He was trying to tell me something” and this has stuck in my mind. In order to minister to a people group you have to listen to their needs, mission, and vision. In order to minister to those who are doing the ministering to those people in the long term you have to listen. As a long term worker in a foreign culture, my guess is that the best thing you can do is let them do the talking: a ministry of presence. And heed their life experience in country.
It is ironic (or providential- you pick) that while I am discussing ideas of truly listening to those we visit I am reading a book by Dr. Allison (a professor at my seminary). He wrote a book called “Luminous dusk: finding God in the deep, still places” that I found in Haiti and have brought with me (book swapping with those I meet has been wonderful!). I began reading this before the discussions of silence came up in my last stop but wonder if this was the way to prepare my mind for the discussions. Some quotes:
“Only someone who knows how to remain essentially silent can really talk” ~Kierkegaard
“Silence is sacred. It cannot be made secular.” ~Allison
It is ironic to be thinking of these in the juxtaposition of many cultures. I have been in many cultures that do not value silence and noise is all around me. It is in this environment that I must guard my silence. I heard a friend say recently that she feels naked without her ipod. I have only recently purchased one of these new technologies (I am always behind in the time) and in the craziness of the worlds I am entering, this ipod that is supposed to provide comfort actually barrages my already overwhelmed brain. Instead I sit in silence. I hear the tapping of my computer keys, the low whirring of the fan beside me and the ever present passing cars (but no honking here in Singapore…yeah!!)
I am safely in Singapore and with much to think about…
hoping you are well wherever this finds you!

Last Night in Korea- final images

I will leave you swith some final images of Korea. I have loved it. The food is interesting and wonderful. The people are generous. And I think I have seen more culture than most people do...one week and a lot was jammed in.

This is a palace for the king.

Korean war memorial- with J Sarchet- a little BBUPC far away from home!

One of the views from Building 63 (because it has 60 floors plus 3 basements) of the sunset over Seoul

This is my host Elder Park on the Left and Dr. Lee, a physician as well as father of JB- who had thanksgiving with my family last year- talk about small world!!!

I sign off for now. I will not be able to write anything for a while. Know that I am safe. Know that I miss you. Know that I covet your prayers. Signing off. Love and God Bless, beth

When in Rome

I have been having many exciting experiences in Korea. I have seen a Korean history museum, a Korean performing art group, watched what I think is Korean version of Saturday night live, and eaten many new and different things! I have been trying to take it all in stride although I am told that I wear my emotions on my face a little too much (by my Korean translator who has spent 6 years in the US and had no problem telling me so! :)) The lunch experience he is talking ab

out was a spicy meal of noodles and salted fish. The meal was actually great but I was struggling to use chopsticks with it and they thus thought I hate the food! oy...gotta learn to have a poker face because the food was good. I have gotten better with chopsticks with certain foods, but others (like long slippery noodles) are my downfall.

Yesterday I was asked if I have eaten dog before. I swallowed and said no. I was asked if they could treat me to some- so I said yes, I would be open to that. I kept praying that it tasted good because I did not know what I would do if it was bad. It actually tasted like a very tender roast beef. The disconcerting thing was that not only did we have to walk past a kennel full of dogs before walking into the restaurant but every once in a while during the meal there would be a chorus of barking- just to remind me where I was and what I was doing!?!? I have been wondering what makes some foods gross vs. acceptable in each culture. I don't have an answer but I am thankful that God has not given me a squeemish stomach or problems with texture since I have tried many new things!

This picture shows a traditional Korean restaurant with people eating on the floor (more difficult in a skirt!) with my host mom and new sisters, Deborah beside me and Esther across the table!

family

I have always had the impression that Family is an important concept to Asian families. And I have also had the assumptions that their families are strong. I have figured out a small reason why this may be so. Tonight I was invited to join for family worship. Weekly this extended family joins together for worship outside of the church. Sometimes the individual family unit does this as well but every friday night the extended family gather. My hosts, the Parks (Mr Park is left of me and Mrs. Park is Left of him on the floor) drove 20 minutes bother directions to gather, sing, prayer, listen to me "preach," and fellowship over eating fruit and playing with children. We were in the car almost as long as we were together but it was important to be there. Nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews all are welcome. And the noise of children is not a distraction. If mom is busy, dad or aunt pick them up as the family gathers around the table to humbly worship God. When Americans have said a little too flippantly "A family that prays together stays together" I have a feeling that they were not thinking of this intentional family prayer life but it was beautiful to be invited to be a part of it! g'night and God Bless, beth

sleep deprivation

Today's lectionary reading was 2 Cor including v 30: "If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness." This follows the litany of all of the bad stuff that Paul has been through! God reminds me that I don't always have to be the tough and ready traveler. It is okay to admit that although this trip is extremely good and I feel so blessed, it is also stretching beyond belief.
Last night I fell into bed exhausted at 11 pm to be woken up promptly at 4 am and pretty much remain awake the rest of the night. A friend, mentour, and another one of my adopted mother's, Linda Ruby, said once that if God wakes her up in the middle of the night she asks who He wants her to pray for. That has stuck with me. And years later as I begged for sleep last night I began to think and pray for many of you. Prayers for those sick and dying. Those who have surgury or need healing. Those of you that are getting married and starting a new life as well as those who are struggling with divorce in their family. I prayed for those discerning calls and those looking for jobs. I was reminded of those of you who worry about your children and those who worry about your parents. As so many of you came to my mind, I prayed; but I also thanked God for you as well. I thank God that my weakness of insomnia and jet lag can be used...I so often forget these lessons and God is gracious and brings me back.

It is also important to mention that I met with the Barry Jackson of Korea yesterday- Dr. Kim and I had a wonderful conversation that started with Christian mission but eventually covered the gamut of topics. Despite it being finals week and the myriad of work I could see all over his desk he gave his undivided attention. Finally we talked about where we need to start before we think about missions. After our discussion we both came to the conclusion that if we as the church (both the US and Korean Church) are not careful we may fall into grave mistakes. We need to go back to our roots of worship and prayer! How can we know God's will for us in mission if we are not in regular conversation. We as the American church need to reclaim this sacred conversation before we can ever hope to do missions, short or long term effectively. How providential that prayer seems to be the theme of the day.
Off to meet more people- I feel utterly blessed by my hosts! blessings!
beth

Safely in Korea- even if a little bumbling

Wow- jet lag is a bummer! I arrived last night at around 5 pm to Seoul. My flight was early so I got to people watch and hang out in the airport. My other two flights were 1-2 hours late...interesting the difference between Island time and this...we will have to wait and see if this is a trend or not?!?!?
I was so tired that I was falling asleep in the car. I felt like a child nodding off and scolding myself for doing so. Somehow when I was asked if I had eaten dinner yet my answer of no brought me to a Korean "American" all you can eat buffet restaurant complete with many steak options. I was not even sure I could eat the buffet let alone the steak and had to decline the wonderful meals on the menu (I am not sure if this was okay or not, but oh well). I imagine that utter sleep deprivation looks very much like being under the influence of certain questionable substances. My head was swimming and I felt like a Kindergartener again- when in Kindergarten I remember having that feeling, not knowing what it was and thus not being able to control it before I promptly vommitted on the classrooms brand new alphabet rug! Traumatic memories. This time I am adult and I started deep breathing and praying that I did not lose anything :) which I did not although my grandparents would disappointed in the amount of food i ate at this "all you can eat" and would not have thought it sufficient.
The night ended with my arrival at the Park family apartment. It is beautiful and they are so utterly generous. I am being hosted by an Elder of my friend from the seminary's church in Korea. I feel so utterly blessed. But when I tried to go to the bathroom I could not figure out how to flush the toilet and had to ask because it was written all in Korean (before I went, of course)- What I actually asked my poor modest host about was a bidet which embarassed him and he replied it was a woman thing. I finally found the flush and all is good despite both of our embarassment! :)
No pictures yet. I was left alone today to my own devices to plan for the coming week and entertain myself. I promptly took a nap- Jetlag is a killer!
Now I am off to try to make some connections. Blessings on you and I will try to post some pictures when I figure out how to get my own computer connected to the internet- currently using the family computer which can be rather difficult because everything is in Korean...sometimes even the keyboard but I have learned how to fix that one!!
blessings- beth