Pics from Term Break (28. June-3. July)--finally

Wow, you know you've been extremely busy when the 1st chance you have to look and upload your pictures happens almost a month after they were taken.

Anywho, for my Term Break, I went down to Daejeon, a city about 50 minutes south of Cheonan.

I like Daejeon.

Not so much because it is bigger than Cheonan, but mostly because it is spacious and has more trees and grass than Cheonan. You actually have elbow-room in Daejeon! I LOVE it!

As soon as I walked out of the train station, this was what I saw.

Ah, the entrance to the subway system . . . extremely convenient.

Flags! Hi Heidi and Fiammetta!

For my Cuban-half . . .

. . . and for my Venezuelan-half.

For all the awesome South Africans I've met.

Ja, genau. Ihr seid immer noch in mein Herz.

The row of flags to the train station.

Helder! Michelle! Jennifer! Giselle!

Ooooo . . . funky.

Down to the subway.

WHOA! This is definitely not the subway in Seoul! This is so EMPTY!

I like it.

Yeap, the train is smaller and narrower. That's cool. I'm sure it's perfect for Daejeon.

The metro map in Daejeon.

Really simple, right? Only 1 line.

Concrete blocks to cross the river. This was where I felt at peace the most during my entire time there.

This was just outside of my friend's parents' apartment complex. (I visited and stayed with my friend Bo, from the DMZ excursion).

Loved these horses.

From the National Cemetery just outside of Daejeon.

For you Americans, this place is basically Korea's Arlington Cememtery. It's HUGE. I think I only saw about 10% of the place.

Wow, is it okay to say this is a "beautiful cemetery"?

It just sounds wrong. I hope you know what I mean.

Display of a few planes.

To a monument I wasn't able to see. I didn't have much time.

Whoa.

A sea of resting souls.

Down at Dunsan, the downtown area.

I didn't care about the stores/malls, just the fountain.

We have those in Cheonan! But I prefer All That Barbeque.

From the Expo Bridge.

Serenity

Limited, yet unlimited

Expo Bridge, from on it.

Expo Park

My guide, Jonathan, and the cool view.

The famous tower at Expo Park.

Light spectrum triangle.

This place was really cool, too bad everything was closed.

As I'm heading towards the train station to go home, I pass by these 3 girls and their electronic instruments. They were playing Bond as I left.

So this was my trip is a very small nutshell. I'm starting to not take as many pictures--and of not caring to take may pictures. When I'm busy taking pictures, I can't really enjoy the moment. Now, I want to try to preserve memories bu living them.

Don't get me wrong; I still love to take pictures and I think it's important, but it's not the MOST important.

I guess the next event I'll document will be Summer Bible Camp this coming weekend. We'll see how it goes!

Mission Day (21. July. 2011)

It's been a long time, but I need to share this before the feeling goes away.

Today, we had Mission Day at my institute. Mission Day is when a speaker comes to the institute (or one of the teachers makes a presentation) and speaks to all the adult students. Besides the presentation, we speak to them about the weekend programs and religion class. This term, we also explained about Summer Bible Camp, since it's coming next weekend. All-in-all, like another vespers program . . . kinda.

Anyway, I was the Mission Day speaker at my institute. I used my 1st vespers powerpoint as my 1st mission day program (ah, the joys of recycling). I spoke on the "7 Secrets to Learning English". I had to give the same presentation 3 times (7:00, 10:00, & 20:00).

We had a few challenges, but God had shown His power. God truly took over the event.

I was tired and sick, but God was able to make me feel healthy, engergized, and enthusiastic through each of the 3 sessions. I felt nervous and didn't know what to do or say, but God stepped in and had the other teachers step in as well and help direct. I am so grateful for them, especially Thula; since she is the one with the most experience and with the gift of leading out a program so gracefully. I'm indebted to her. Fabrice also. Shew, he was ever helpful and supportive: great guy to have around. Shew, but the results of Mission Day. . .

At the end, we pass out cards where they write their names, teacher's name, class level, and time as well as fill out a short questionare about the program. On the card were questions like "Do you want to study the Bible?", "Do you want to go to Summer Bible Camp", and "Are you interested in Religion Class?" I was shocked to see how many wanted Bible studies and wanted to go to camp. Man, I was shocked. I didn't think most were interested, but God had definitely stepped in.

This is an experience I will treasure, for it was today that I felt like a missionary. God doesn't need us to do His work for Him. He can always find other ways to reach people; but there is something special about being involved in the work yourself. It is your own experience, your own memory you share with God: it's like an inside joke; it is something only the 2 of you share. It is in the mission field where you can see God at work from up-close (and most definitely personal). I am humbled at how God was able to use me to reach people I didn't think were interested.

You know what the crazy thing is? This is only the beginning! The journey of these interested souls has just begun! Satan is going to work even harder in order to get them--and us. But the amazing thing is that the 1st step was made; a step many never take.

Praise God for His abundant mercy and generosity. Only in His mercy can He wait for every person possible. Only in His generosity can He give ample opportunities and share these priceless moments in reaching priceless souls.

GOD IS GREAT!!!!!!

Fatigue

Sorry I haven't posted anything new yet. I had a nice break and other things happening, but I've been so busy this new term, I haven't been able to look at my latest pictures from 2 weeks ago yet. This new term, my schedule is such that I start teaching @ 7am and finish @ 22:00/10pm. Yeah, I get an average of 6 hrs. of sleep per night for the entire week this term.

Please pray for me.

I'll post some pictures soon; once I get the chance.