1st Day as English teachers and 2nd Day Progress... ?

On Tuesday, we met our students!  After a full day of singing, dancing, motioning, trying to communicate the gospel as well as instructions, and memorizing Jeremiah 17:7, the general consensus was: The classes were great!!! but many of the boys were a little difficult.... I surmise that this may not be specific to Korean culture.  However, we learned a little more about collectivism as one of the pastors of the church said, "I got a call, and the church members are very pleased with your work."  Notice, it may have been one call or fifteen calls, but however many calls, the individual comments made up the whole, the church.  From my perspective, it has been so awe-inspiring to see the servant hearts of my brothers and sisters who do not speak the language of the children.  All I saw of these new English teachers were smiles, patience, flexibility, great effort, and a certain joy that could only come from seeking to obey God.  

God also surprised us in that many of us were expecting the children not to dance or respond but it wasn't difficult to get them involved at all.  A few Gracies said that they were also surprised at how much English the students already knew, which always impresses me because how many American children speak Korean or another language at the elementary school level?  Koreans value English-speaking skills so much that English Academies thrive, and more Korean students suffer a few more hours of schooling in their day.  

Our second day had various responses from being better because the children felt more comfortable with us and we knew a little more of what they needed to being more difficult because they were too comfortable with us.  However, I pray that God will provide us with patience and wisdom and discernment to know when to discipline and when to show mercy.  May we reflect Jesus clearly, which can only be done by the grace of God, so I pray that grace will overflow, and seeds will be planted in the children to seek the truth of the gospel and be changed by the great pursuit.  May God continue to inspire us in being creative in teaching the children and may He give courage to the children to practice speaking English and asking questions about our Savior.

Specifically, please pray for:

 Leah Brown who was not feeling well, so had to stay home all day.

 Ben Jeffries who has not been able to sleep.

 For everyone  who hasn't been able to sleep comfortably because Koreans believe hard mattresses, or rather, no mattress at all, is healthy for you.

After our second day of English camp, most of the team were led by Jenna and my host sisters (seniors in high school) to their favorite coffee shop for a time of fellowship, fun, and much-needed winding down.  Since so many of us were there, the coffee shop manager gave us free bagels and some curious sweet cream for dip/spread.  Then, we ventured down the streets full of stores and street vendors making delicious smelling, but not-so-delicious-looking food.  They sell various-sized pieces of squid legs, including ones as thick and long as my arm.  My personal favorites are roasted chestnuts, sweet potatoes, and this dessert bread shaped like a fish with a red-bean paste filling.  Yum!  After a short walk, we arrived at our destination: the karaoke room!  No, not a bar, but a place with numerous rooms where groups of ten can go in and do karaoke.  I couldn't believe we still could sing and dance after a full day of it with the kids.  Many good numbers were sung/shouted last night including Lean On Me (about four times), Piano Man, I Will Survive, and popular Korean songs sung by our Korean sisters.  What a blast!

Today, we, some with very hoarse voices, look forward to another full day of more singing, dancing, talking about God in whatever language, and obeying God wherever He leads!  I think we are tasting a tiny bit of heaven as all of us from different tribe and tongue come together to worship God.  May His will be done, may He be glorified!  Amen.