Update from Korea! Woohoo!

And it’s a video!

Hansen

After a week

I have now spent a week here in Korea, in a city named Jeongeup. Weather wise it’s really hot which would be fine if it was dry heat. But the humidity has been ridiculously high.

As soon as I entered into Korea I essentially began teaching at a summer camp. At least that’s what they called it, but it’s essentially summer school. the kids I’ve been teaching are really smart, they are definately picking up English really quickly. It’s pretty difficult trying to explain instructions but the co-teacher with me has been really really helpful. The kids are rather energetic.

When deciding to come here I had already realized and come to accept the fact that I would be viewed as a translator/a person that could speak fluent Korean. And I have not been disappointed.  On an almost daily basis, whenever I walk with my other foreign friends, the majority (99.9 percent really) of Koreans will talk to me in Korean as if I knew how to speak it. Thank goodness that I know how to laugh it off, otherwise this year might make me go absoultely insane….and bitter or something.

I’ve been here a little over two weeks and so far it has been a fairly good time. Obviously I’m not fully acclimated to it.  Although slowly and surely I’m becoming adjusted to it.

The food here has been delicious (for the most part…there have definately been some really bland dishes and some odd tasting ones, but none that i despise), there are plenty of vegetables but not that much protein, there are surprisingly quite a few pizza places here (including a dominoes pizza. There is also a Baskin Robbins and Dunkin’ Donuts here as well. I’m slowly stockpiling kitchen stuff so that i don’t have to go out every day. I can’t wait to continue trying the food (live octopus soon hopefully!) here.  The beer here is tolerable, but I definately miss the ones from Peterborough (mmmm, the pursuit of hoppiness 😀 )

The city that I’m currently in is pretty small. with just over 120,000 people or so, it’s a city with a pretty smalltown/country feel to it. Not unlike the place I left in Canada, Peterborough. I’ve told my friends this, and my community this as well and one of my biggest worries that i had was just how  I would find a good solid community like the one I left in the Gathering. However, thank you for your prayers! God has answered and provided, I will very likely be going on a fairly regular basis to AICF or (Antioch International Christian Fellowship) in Jeonju. Jeonju is about 30-45 min away by bus (depending on the bus driver). The reason I say fairly regular basis is because the price for the bus ticket (there and back) plus taxi fare will be quite costly. but I hope to be able to attend at least a 3 times a month or so. They also have a Bible study that I hope to attend on Fridays (also going to ask around for a place to crash as well) which I’m definately looking forward to. I’ve already met some of the young men (as well as older families) and they are just fabulous. They enjoy Gospel-driven, Gospel-centered discussions and they get excited about Jesus. Which, after talking to them this past Sunday, has gotten me excited as well. To describe this in 10 words or less would go something like this: I am stoked to get to know them more. Thank you again for your prayers. They have been answered, and I ask that you continue to pray for me as well, and feel free to send me prayer requests as well.

This week has been really rainy, and the streets  and the river of Jeongeup are currently flooding. Which is crazy, I definately walked through the flooding, and now my shoes are soaked. I believe we are supposed to get heavy rain (thunderstorms really) until Sunday. So pray for the safety of the people within this city.

Anyway, I hope to update more when I get internet in my room (currently taking free wireless ). I hope by tomorrow but with the flooding it’s a little more difficult.

Hansen