The Adventure Begins
Co-op Participants Arrive
There are six participants in our ministry co-op class: three individuals from the Ohio Episcopal Area of the United Methodist Church and three individuals from the Seoul Annual Conference of the Korean Methodist Church. The Korean participants - all pastors - arrived in Ohio as scheduled on October 1. They are traveling around Ohio to engage in local ministry.
Two of the three participants - Carolyn Kwon and I - are in Seoul during October and November. Sam Mohn will join us in November. Unlike our Korean counterparts, we are each assigned to serve one church during the entirety of our stay. Carolyn and I were scheduled to arrive on October 2, but our flight to Salt Lake City was delayed due to mechanical issues, causing us to miss our connecting flight to Korea. Delta Air Lines booked us on the next flight out and provided us with hotel and food vouchers for the night. Our flight from Salt Lake City to the Incheon-Seoul International Airport departed at 11 AM on October 2 and landed safely in Korea at 3:11 PM on October 3.
Housing and Home Church
Carolyn and I are staying in a retreat center located in the Northeast region of Seoul that is operated by the Korean Methodist Women for Christian Service. Our rooms are comfortable and we each have a small balcony (standing room only) that faces the mountains. There are coffee shops, convenience stores, a supermarket, and several restaurants within walking distance.
I am serving with the English Ministry Team at the Kkotjae (Blooming Hill) Methodist Church. Our church is lead by the Bishop of the Seoul Annual Conference and welcomes roughly 1,000 worshippers each weekend. Blooming Hill is in the Seongdong district - around 45 minutes away by bus. While I am here, I will assist with English worship services, co-lead (and co-write!) a Bible study, and participate in worship. Four days of my week are dedicated to ministry at Blooming Hill. Each week I will also go on a field trip to a church in Seoul and see cultural landmarks in the church’s district. There are 25 districts in Seoul, so I will not see all of the city, but I will have the opportunity to experience much of it!
Adjusting: The Good and The Not So Great
My adjustment to Korea has been made easier by the Korean people. Every person I have met is joyful and kind; I have been shown great hospitality. The food is delicious, people are friendly, and I have everything I need.
(Did I mention the food is delicious? I am glad Seoul is hilly; otherwise I would return to Ohio twenty pounds heaver!)
The language barrier was very stressful initially, but is less so now. I know five words/phrases in Korean (hello, thank you, yes, no, and “water, please”), which is surprisingly helpful. Most people on staff at Kkotjae speak some English and several of them speak very well, but the individuals who manage the retreat center where I am living do not. Carolyn speaks Korean and translates for me when we are together. I use Google Translate when we are not.
There is also the matter of my phone. I purchased an international plan for my US number, but having a foreign number means the Koreans must either call/message me through an app or place an international call. Once the national holiday of Chuseok is over and stores are open, I will switch over to a South Korean phone number. Calls and SMS messages sent to my US number will not reach me. This makes me nervous, but I will still be available by email and iPhone users will be able to reach me through iMessage or FaceTime.
The most difficult part of adjusting has been around the change in time zone. I am still recovering from a mild case of jet lag. Korea is currently 13 hours ahead of Easter Standard Time; I will be 14 hours ahead of everyone in Ohio when Daylight Saving Time ends. I only slept a few hours the first night here. Each night since has gotten better, but I’m still very tired by early evening and wake up several hours before my alarm goes off. I am staying hydrated, avoiding daytime naps, and keeping active.
The Lesson of Being a Foreigner in a Different Land
The first night here was very difficult. I was overwhelmed and terribly homesick. Terribly. I sent Tyler a message letting him know that I needed to come back home as soon as possible. I was certain coming had been a mistake.
My scritpure reading on Friday morning included Isaiah 41:13-14. “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’ Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you insect Israel! I will help you, says the Lord; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.” I was reminded that even when I am on the other side of the world, away from everything familiar and everyone I love, God is still with me. Wherever I find the spirit of Christ, I am at home. I am grateful for the opportunity to more fully understand what I already knew to be true.
Final Words
It is dinner time now. I am exhausted and very hungry, so my writing is probably not as good as it could or should be. I blame the jet lag. Hopefully by the time next Monday comes, I will be past the exhaustion. You can look for another update then!
