My wife and I have been preparing to come to Cheonan, South Korea since we got married, almost a year ago now (August 12th, whew who!). It is exciting that we are finally here, it feels surreal. As we prepared and even now, I have been thinking about friends and family and what it will be like to be in here for however long we'll be there or however long we feel God is calling us to stay. We thought we were going to be able to be in South Korea by February or March, but now as we are amazed we are here, it seemed like it would never come. In all this we have learned just how much God wants us to follow Him, even when it looks like it won't work. So many times I thought that we would not be going and it sounded so nice to just say no and start looking for work. I have never wanted to just work at Starbucks or become a barista at a little coffee shop so badly. Yet, Gods plans are worth following after, even when they are tough. Both my wife and I now view trials differently, instead of considering them as a sign that you need to give up we have seen them as things that try and keep us from Gods best. We have been reassured that South Korea is where we are to be in the coming months through the difficulties.
We are working with Korea Nazarene University (KNU) teaching English for the city of Cheonan. So far we have met really great friends in the program, along with incredibly helpful and wonderful staff. Our first week here we went through orientation, had a medical exam (eye tests and giving blood), eaten lots of Korean food (lots of Kimchi), and went to a few of the schools in which Sonia and I will be teaching at. Sonia is going to be teaching at two different elementary schools (one of them is in the city and one in the country) and I have two middle schools (both in the country). We can't wait to begin teaching! Until then, however, we have to complete TESOL, which we will be doing until near the 26th of August.
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| Our room, for the time being... |
Besides all of the preparation for teaching and the excitement of all of that, Sonia and I are loving living in Korea. Our room, at the moment however, is a dorm room set up for 4 students. The first floor has four desks, two to a wall, with the bunk beds up top: not quite the set up we had been dreaming of just yet, but we're thankful for the room, even if Sonia and I are sleeping head-to-head. We will be moving into our more permanent place, hopefully, sometime this month in an area called (Yawoori). We have felt Gods blessings and favor so much in many ways since we have been here, but one way in particular is that our apartment will be close to both a Starbucks and a Mall/Theater/H&M; I mean walking distance. The food we've been having has been very good, but different. We don't usually eat Korean food in the States so now that we have it everywhere it has been interesting. We do have a McDonalds close though, just in case we're missing home. We also are learning the culture and the differences and similarities that we have. One thing that is peculiar is the lack of personal space when you are outside. People get to where they need to be and don't really mind if you're in the way (people aren't pushy or aggressive, they just will maneuver around others if they are in their way and it's no big deal really.) Sonia and I are hoping to learn more of the language as well, but right now we only know a few phrases (hello, thank you, my name is, more please.) We are hoping to be fluent by the time we leave...hoping.
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| One of Sonia's Schools |
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| One of David's Schools, this is out in the country |
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| It was |
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| Starbucks...a home away from home. |
Basically we are brand new in a new culture, trying to be polite and show Gods love, while not being overbearing or overwhelming Americans. There is so much else that has been going on and we will continue to share. We are just so thankful to God that He has brought us out here in His time. We are excited for what He has in store.
If you wouldn't mind keeping us in your prayers, we would greatly appreciate it. A few things we need prayer for would be grace and patience as eventual teachers, to be prepared for our schools and the new experiences that they will bring. Another thing is that it is difficult for couples to take time off at the same time, do to the different schedules for the schools, so we are praying that Sonia and I will be able to have the same time off, rather then having breaks when the other is still teaching. Lastly would just be to have the heart and mind of Christ each and every day. We feel God has called us out here for His purpose, but sometimes the day to day is difficult to see what that may be. We just don't want to waste His or our time,
We love and miss everyone whom we don't see. Keep in touch!
- the Yorks
