Mask-uh!

This morning, my vice principal (in her somewhat broken English) told me that I must wear a mask at school now (due to the H1N1 flu frenzy). I'm not sure if she meant to come across as harsh as she did. It seems like such a small thing - to wear a mask. For me, it's quite challenging for a number of reasons.

I wish I could say that I immediately responded with joyful obedience. But... I asked a few questions, attempting to persuade her that I don't need to wear a mask. I even told her that we don't wear masks in my country! NOT a good idea!!! [I am so ashamed that I used that line...]. I don't think she was angry... I think there was just a lot of misunderstanding.

After our uncomfortable conversation, I escaped to my classroom for a little bit of time to think and pray. I couldn't believe how much her words affected me emotionally! It seems so silly to get upset over a little mask... but I think it was about so much more than that - a lot of it having to do with my pride, I think. Anyway, I decided to comply with her demand/request. She IS the authority that God has placed over me at this school (Interesting sidenote: Pastor Eddie mentioned submitting to authority in his sermon just this past week). When I returned to the teacher's office, there were two disposable masks waiting on my desk for me.

Later on in the day, I talked things over with my vp. I apologized to her for not saying "Yes, okay" right away. She explained that she was just worried about my health and wants to make sure I don't get the flu. (She really does genuinely care for me a lot). I then asked her if it was okay for me to not wear the mask in the teacher's office when I'm sitting at my desk. She said I can have "free choice-uh!" I was shocked/relieved by her words.

I realized that when she originally told me that I "must wear a mask," I misunderstood her. As my co-teacher explained it, in Korea, they don't often say things like, You might want to consider... Have you thought about... It might be a good idea to... Instead, they say, You should... You must... You better... I knew these things before, but I forgot about that until this most recent encounter.

Ohhhhh, the challenges of cross-cultural communication!!!

Swine Flu Frenzy

It's no doubt that the H1N1 flu has swept across the globe.

Since my return to Korea in August, I've noticed the following changes in Seoul:

• One week quarantines at home mandated for all Native English Teachers (like me) who work for the government and have traveled outside of the country.
• Hand sanitizers prominently placed in each subway station. (Before hand sanitizer was almost impossible to find in this country)!
• Mandatory temperature checks for each student entering our school building. (Mind you, the thermometer is only wiped with the same napkin in between each student.)
  
• More prominent hand-washing. (Signs are even posted next to sinks in subway stations now).
• Even more limited physical contact. No more hand-shakes or high fives at church for now...
• Numerous events canceled due to swine flu concerns.

Last week, I noticed that The Korea Times posted these two headlines on the same day:
S. Korea Raises Flu Alert to Highest Red Level
Public Advised to Be Calm Over Flu Alert

Although I've found the seemingly hyper-sensitivity a little over the top, there are people that are really being affected by this. One of my English teachers came down with H1N1 and was out of school all week. One of the second grade classes at my school was canceled for the entire week because 15 of the students were absent on Monday, due to H1N1. I believe the public was shocked even more when Korean actor Lee Gwang-gi's only son died from H1N1 over the weekend.

It's not an issue to take lightly...

Definitely a Loser...

Oh my! This has certainly been an adventurous week!!!

I went to Yongsan to get a new adapter for my computer with my friend Kristen, bought some dinner at EMart, then took a taxi to visit my friend, Alison (who just broke her ankle and is confined to her house for now). All three of us had a lovely time together.

Before heading back home on the subway, I stopped to get an iced green tea latte (my current favorite) for the long ride home. As I went to pay for my drink, I realized my wallet was missing!!! Inside my wallet, I had my bank card, ARC card, keys to my apartment (my only way to get in right now - see my previous post for details on why), and other miscellaneous items. So, it appeared that I might be homeless for the night...

This was around 9:30 p.m. I had no cash on me. Only 1,000 won on my T-money (transportation card) - not even enough money to get home if I wanted to. Fortunately, I still had my cell phone on me.

I went back to Alison's house to check for my wallet. No luck. We prayed together, asking God to make His name famous through the situation and to faithfully take care of my needs. We also reflected on all the other things I've lost this year. God's been faithfully to restore each one of them!!!*

Demonstrating His faithfulness once again...

Alison had some friends staying at her place for the week (one of them, Winnie, speaks both Korean & English fluently). She started making phone calls for me. We decided to cancel my bank card right away. She checked to see if any additional purchases had been made - nope.

Five minutes after calling to cancel my card, I received a phone call from the bank. Someone had contacted them and turned in my check card! They gave us the number to the Yeoido police station. Winnie and I grabbed a taxi and headed to the station.

This is how amazing my God is...

Upon arriving to the station, my wallet was restored to me fully and completely!!! EVERYTHING was still there - even the 6,000 won cash! Both keys were there, along with my ARC & bank cards! I was so completely in AWE of God's provision. He answered our prayers SO QUICKLY!!! Even though it was late, I hopped on the subway and made it home safely a little after midnight. I was so thankful to sleep in my own bed!!!

There's no doubt about it... I am a loser - so gifted at losing things! The great thing about it is that my God is mighty to save and so eager to demonstrate His loving faithfulness and provision to me! I truly can't imagine life without my Gracious Redeemer and Restorer. I'm so unworthy... yet He continues to overwhelm me with His love and compassions.

Psalm 121
¹ I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?

² My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

³ He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;

⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

⁶ the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

⁷ The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;

⁸ the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Praise the Lord, O my soul. With all my inmost being, praise His holy Name!!!

**I wrote a post back in July about losing my wallet for the second time in Korea. I kept forgetting to post the good report. Upon arriving back to Korea after my visit home in August, that wallet too was restored to me. Yeah... my God sure watches out for this absent-minded, ridiculous, cherished daughter of His!

Batteries

On Tuesday night, I found out that my keypad is battery-operated and that those batteries eventually expire.

Yep, I unknowingly locked myself out of my apartment.
Since I had gone for a run, I left my keys and cell phone in my apartment (as usual).

To make a long story short, a kind pregnant woman in the beauty shop next to the maintenance office helped me make a phone call. We were able to communicate with my very limited Korean and her limited English.

I waited.
Maintenance man came.
Exclamations in Korean.
More waiting.
Two locksmiths came.
More unknown Korean exclamations - a little more gentle this time, though.
Door opened.
They collected 20,000 won.
I learned that the battery was dead.

I didn't even know my door was run by batteries - let alone that they would need to be replaced...

An Amazing Promise

Psalm 112

¹ Praise the LORD.
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
who finds great delight in his commands.

² His children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.

³ Wealth and riches are in his house,
and his righteousness endures forever.

⁴ Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.

⁵ Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely,
who conducts his affairs with justice.

⁶ Surely he will never be shaken;
a righteous man will be remembered forever.

⁷ He will have no fear of bad news;
his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

⁸ His heart is secure, he will have no fear;
in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.

⁹ He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor,
his righteousness endures forever;
his horn will be lifted high in honor.

¹⁰ The wicked man will see and be vexed,
he will gnash his teeth and waste away;
the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

This psalm has been such a blessing and encouragement to me as of late... and has guided a lot of my prayers. Reading this psalm has been especially meaningul, in light of my recent baptism and Pastor Eddie's prayer over my life. I'm so thankful for my life in Jesus. Truly, Praise the Lord!!!

Baptism

I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing! - Galatians 2:21

On Sunday, October 18, 2009, I was baptized at my church. It's kind of a long story how it all came about, but basically God had really been placing it strongly on my heart recently. Although I was baptized as an infant and then again (of my own will) in 4th grade, I didn't really know Him personally and I didn't have an understanding of His GRACE at all. Although I've walked with the Lord most of my life, I didn't come to realize how much I desperately need God's grace until my sophomore year of college. This was a huge paradigm shift for me!!! I hesitated for a long time to go forward with baptism, mainly because of pride and being concerned about what other people would think, since I've been a Christian for so long. However, God made it quite clear recently that He wanted me to take this step of faith and be baptized.

It was such an incredible blessing and honor to make this public declaration of my faith and growing understanding of God's grace. I was blessed to have the opportunity to share a portion of my testimony and had some wonderful friends there to support me in it! It was exciting to have them there to witness such a special occasion. It was certainly a time of being overwhelmed with the love and support of the community of believers here in Seoul.

Here's a video clip of Pastor Eddie's prayer:

The prayer that Pastor Eddie prayed over me when I was baptized was total re-confirmation of God's call upon my life to be a light in dark places. The Lord has been re-affirming this over and over again recently, which is exciting, but also calls for much prayer and courage!

Random Public Transportation Encounters

I will be completely honest. I don't like talking to random foreigners. In fact, I usually find myself avoiding them on the subway and/or bus. However, over the past couple of weeks, I've had two very interesting encounters.

Bus
On the way to school one morning, I noticed an American girl (Steph) sitting on the bus. I felt compelled to say hello and we started a little conversation. We saw each other a couple of other times on the bus randomly and then I bumped into her and her husband at Home Plus (our neighborhood grocery store). We ended up being at the same school district meeting a couple of weeks ago as well. Since that time, we realized that we are neighbors - just one building away from each other. I've been getting to know Steph and Jon a little bit better as time goes by. I found out that they are Christians and have been looking for a church to join. Yesterday, they came to church with me and had a great time, I think. I'm thankful for this new friendship and looking forward to how the Lord continues to grow and stretch me through these random connections!

Subway
Last Sunday, I was on the subway on my way to church. I was so engrossed in my reading of The Little Woman (a biography about Gladys Aylward, missionary to China from 1932-1950s) that I hardly noticed the blonde girl that sat next to me. I'm not sure how long she was sitting there until I noticed her, but as soon as I did, I felt like God wanted me to start up a conversation with her. It was the last thing that I wanted to do. I was really enjoying my reading and was almost finished with the book. But, I had just been reading about how Gladys Aylward was so sensitive and obedient to God's voice. So, I begrudgingly decided to be obedient and God provided a way for the conversation to begin. As I chatted with Karen, an Irish lassie, I found out that she's been wanting to join a church for quite some time now. (You can imagine how surprised I was)! We chatted for quite awhile and decided to meet up the following week to go to church together. We exchanged contact info before parting ways.

Yesterday, Karen also came to church and brought one of her friends (who has also been praying about joining a church recently) with her! We had such a wonderful time together and I could tell that Karen and Laura were excited to be there.

God is clearly at work. I'm thankful for what He's doing and the new friends that He is unexpectly bringing into my life - through public transportation, of all things!