For me, my trip started before I even boarded the plane at JFK airport. It all started when I needed to go to Manhattan for my visa. When I got to the visa office, I realized that this trip was going to be like none other. I've been blessed to have gone to many countries in the past. I've even lived in another country for an extended time. This time, I realized that I don't know the language. It was insane to me. I walked into the consulate and saw all these scientific characters (Hangul-the Korean alphabet). As I stood in line, I looked up, then closed my eyes and asked God, "what am I doing?!"
When I lived in Argentina it wasn't as bad, because I at least could recognize the characters in the Spanish alphabet since it shares the same Latin characters with English. Going from "How are you?" to "¿cómo estás?" doesn't compare to going from "How are you?" to "어떻게 지내?". It's not even close! Another thing is, my purpose going to Argentina was to actually learn Spanish. I went to classes everyday and studied the language. I won't have that luxury here. If I want to learn the language, I'll need to dedicate extra time outside of preparation for the classes I'm teaching and the weekend programs I'm helping out with.
The night before we left, I was watching the news and saw that the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-Il passed away. They said that South Korea's security was put into high alert. I then said to myself, "GREAT!! THIS HAD TO HAPPEN NOW RIGHT?!?!" My plane ride over was an interesting one. I sat in between two younger guys. I believe they were athletes, because when they took off their shoes it sure did smell that way. They made sure to keep their shoes off just in case I found the smell pleasant. Foolishly I thought, "I hope it doesn't smell like this in South Korea". Obviously I was exaggerating and I've been here for nearly three weeks now and I can tell you that I have not encountered that smell again. When we landed and got off the plane we had to take a shuttle over to baggage claim. While boarding the shuttle I did notice something that I've encountered here on numerous occasions. Pushing is something as common as breathing! If you need to get somewhere, you have to push your way through the crowd. Considering I'm from New York City, I can say that I'm use to it, although in New York you hear a lot more cursing as a result.
Before, during and even after my trip to South Korea there have been many things that may have hinted that I shouldn't be here. The process to get my background check took so long, and for a while I had to ask myself if I actually did commit a crime. Although there may have been discouragements, I knew this: God wants me here. I'm not exactly sure what it is that God wants me to do, but I know that He will use me over here. Since I believe strongly in that, I'm not going to let Satan distract me. I won't let him put the idea in my head that I won't be used here. Like I said before, it has been three weeks since I've been here, and I already see possible ways that I can impact the lives of others and how others will be able to impact my life. I will try to post normally and give stories about my amazing experience here. Thank you all for the best wishes and love and support that you've shown before I left. Stay tuned for amazing stories from the Eastern Hemisphere!
The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11
The night before we left, I was watching the news and saw that the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-Il passed away. They said that South Korea's security was put into high alert. I then said to myself, "GREAT!! THIS HAD TO HAPPEN NOW RIGHT?!?!" My plane ride over was an interesting one. I sat in between two younger guys. I believe they were athletes, because when they took off their shoes it sure did smell that way. They made sure to keep their shoes off just in case I found the smell pleasant. Foolishly I thought, "I hope it doesn't smell like this in South Korea". Obviously I was exaggerating and I've been here for nearly three weeks now and I can tell you that I have not encountered that smell again. When we landed and got off the plane we had to take a shuttle over to baggage claim. While boarding the shuttle I did notice something that I've encountered here on numerous occasions. Pushing is something as common as breathing! If you need to get somewhere, you have to push your way through the crowd. Considering I'm from New York City, I can say that I'm use to it, although in New York you hear a lot more cursing as a result.
Before, during and even after my trip to South Korea there have been many things that may have hinted that I shouldn't be here. The process to get my background check took so long, and for a while I had to ask myself if I actually did commit a crime. Although there may have been discouragements, I knew this: God wants me here. I'm not exactly sure what it is that God wants me to do, but I know that He will use me over here. Since I believe strongly in that, I'm not going to let Satan distract me. I won't let him put the idea in my head that I won't be used here. Like I said before, it has been three weeks since I've been here, and I already see possible ways that I can impact the lives of others and how others will be able to impact my life. I will try to post normally and give stories about my amazing experience here. Thank you all for the best wishes and love and support that you've shown before I left. Stay tuned for amazing stories from the Eastern Hemisphere!
The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11
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