Alas . . . we must return home

By the grace of God and after an amazing six weeks of people, places, and experiences we will cherish the rest of our life, we're back with our conference family in New Wilmington, Pa. We thank God and the New Wilmington Mission Conference for an ineffably enriching time of learning, worshiping, and traveling in Korea. We would be honored to share with you our stories and reflections. Thank you, thank you, and thank you. Soli Deo gloria.

attending the Korean Diaspora World Mission Conference, where about 2,000 Koreans and ethnic Koreans from every continent gathered to reflect on their mission in their various countries

being tourists in In-Sah-Dohng

at a traditional Korean tea house

at a public bath, sauna, and Jjim-Jil-Bahng (ask us about it)

at the royal palace Gyung-Bohk-Goong (경복궁) in Seoul

sitting on a replica of the royal throne

at the entrance of the Foreign Missionary Cemetery (양화진 Yahng-Hwa-Jin) in Seoul

at Juhl-Doo-Sahn (절두산), where Catholics were executed for their faith

at Seh-Moon-Ahn (새문안) Presbyterian Church, the first church in Korea, founded by the Presbyterian missionary Horace Underwood

with Prof. Park at the Christian Museum on the campus of Soong-Shil University (숭실대학교), the first (Christian) university in Korea

with chaplain, Prof. Jung, at Yonsei University (연세대학교), founded by Underwood

farewell supper with the Rev. Hahn and her family (yet another Korean meat fest)

just before boarding to return home on July 19th

15th Lord's Day in Ordinary Time (John Calvin's birthday) -- 8 days left

While in the rural areas of Kyung-Sang province (경상북도), Dr. Na's home province, we played with the kids of 고평교회 Goh-Pyung Presbyterian Church, a small country church, learned about some Korean traditions (e.g., brush painting), took time to see some of the most precious national treasures of Korea, and visited the ancient capital Kyung-Joo (경주). We visited Dr. Na's "little aunt" and his cousins in Daegu 대구 before returning to Seoul, where we took part in the English worship service at Seh-Moon-Ahn Presbyterian Church (새문안교회), the first church in Korea, established by the legendary missionary Horace Underwood. Dr. Na preached and the team members sang the offertory.

collecting potatoes to help poor farmers in rural Kyung-Sang province

Foot-washing, anyone?

Western archery at one of the famous archery institutes in Korea

next to us, two Olympic gold medalists in archery

hospitality with the elderly in Goh-Pyung church

learning to be Korean students

with traditional Korean clothes

Korean archery

overlooking Ha-Hweh (하회), one of the most beautiful places in Korea (according to Dr. Na)

playing soccer with the kids

with the kids after Wednesday evening prayer service

supper fellowship after Dr. Na preached during the Wednesday evening worship

after a performance by the residents of Love Village (for the disabled)

welcome sign at the Love Village

with a Buddhist monk at Bool-Gook-Sah (불국사), probably the most famous temple in Korea

the world's oldest astronomical observatory (첨성대 Chum-Suhng-Deh)

late supper with Dr. Na's relatives in Daegu

dialogue with one of the college groups at Seh-Moon-Ahn Presbyterian Church 새문안교회

As we finish our last week in Korea (alas . . .) please continue to pray for us. We eagerly look forward to coming home to tell you and show you what we have experienced during these wonderful weeks on the other side of the planet. Soli Deo gloria.

14th Lord's Day in Ordinary Time (15 days left)

Warm, rainy greetings from Korea! We worshiped in a small church south of the Han River in Seoul (그루터기교회, Tree Stump Presbyterian Church, Dr. Na's favorite church in Korea), and the team members had an enjoyable time in fellowship with its college students till late night. As is typical in Korea, most of the Lord's Day was spent in worship and in fellowship with church people. Tomorrow we're off to spend four days with a small Presbyterian church in rural Kyung-Sang province (고평교회 Go-Pyung Presbyterian Church). We'll be helping with their farming and also teaching English to the children. Here are a few photos from last week:

Prof. Han (missiology) and the North Korean Ministry team from Youngnak Presbyterian Church (please pray for North Korea)

serving the homeless during the 4-day retreat with them (please pray for the homeless in Korea)

serving the homeless some delicious Korean food

Kang (aka Dr. Na) celebrating the Lord's Supper with the Rev. Hyun-Soo Kim and the homeless

before departing from the prayer retreat center . . . perhaps this is what the Kingdom of God might look like

leaving the prayer retreat center

Please keep North Korea and the homeless in your prayers. We'll tell you about them when we see you later this month. In the mean time, happy Independence Day tomorrow, which is just another summer day in Korea.

13th Lord's Day in Ordinary Time -- extraordinary for us

We worshiped today at Yougnak (pronouned Young-Nahk) Presbyterian Church (영락교회 = "Eternal Delight/Joy Church") the world's largest Presbyterian church, founded in 1945. You'll have to wait to hear the details, but here are some photos of just a little bit of the amazing experiences we've been blessed to have. Thank you NWMC! We have much to share with you after our return.

serving the homeless in central Seoul

cleaning up after serving the homeless

welcome by the kids at Sky School (at Heaven's Gate Church and prayer retreat center)

Addie and Sarah meeting the kids before teaching them English

Kristin teaching English

Chrissy teaching English

worship at Heaven's Gate (1,000 worship services per year, at least 2 per day, at least 2 hours long each)

night of fun with the college students at Heaven's Gate

praying together after the Praise Song Competition

our first midnight meal (삼겹살 = yummy bacon-like meat, aka "midnight meat")

a field trip to Home Plus (to shop & eat)

college worship service at Young-Nahk Presbyterian Church