Nanum Camp

I just returned from Nanum(Sharing) Camp and had a great time with the kids and fellow counselors. The first night each group was on their own at their perspective service areas. For dinner we purchased ingredients for curry and roman. Me and Ji-Won went to the kitchen with four of the boys who wanted to help. We scavenged the kitchen for the pots, knives, cutting boards etc. The kids were so eager to help or maybe they were just really hungry so I began getting things organized and giving kids jobs. One of the boys, Jake was fluent in English and we began getting supplies and everything organized.

I soon realized that Ji-Won had left and figured he went to get something and would be back soon. Meanwhile the kitchen was a mess of activity, the boys had decided to take things in hand and began getting things done and I had a hard time keeping track of all that was going on. Once we got all the vegetables and stuff cut and the water heating up they were eager to put in the seasoning and eat it. I tried again and again to explain that it takes time to cook especially the carrots and potatoes. We began getting the roman ready at the same time however we didn't have a large enough pot to do all of it, so split it up into two smaller pots. By the time the roman was done one pot was good but the other all the liquid had evaporated and noodles were all that was left. Thankfully it still tasted good. At the same time I was trying to get Jake to explain the coking directions for the curry. I had seen it made and it seemed easy enough but wanted to be sure. After a few attempts I decided it would be easier to just do what I thought best and forget about the directions. More and more kids began coming into the kitchen area trying to finish the food faster and it was a challenge especially with the guy's who didn't understand much English to get them to wait. Every minute I would remind them to wait it takes time and finally we were able to add the curry seasoning and I had a chance to check and make sure someone started the rice, I thought Ji-Won did that before he left but wanted to make sure. The rice was cooking so that was good and I went back to string and supervising. Just as the curry was almost done Sung-Un came with the rest of the kids and helped me finish.

Ji-Won returned just as all the work was done(as usual:)) and everyone was beginning to eat. It turned out that the rice was soggy, the roman was soup-less, the curry was good but twice as much as we needed and after all was said and done it was edible but mostly entertaining. I can say that I am tired of curry and am okay not eating it ever again. Ji-Won and Sung-Un exchanged looks and I just put my head on the table exclaiming I was ready to go to bed now.

That's What I Call Adventure

Yesterday was the last day of the first canoe camp! The last week has been full of rain and flooding so we were not able to canoe but yesterday the rain had subsided and enough time had passed so the river was beginning to go down and we decided it would be okay to canoe the rest of the course. The river was so fast we stopped on a rocky beach close to our final destination and enjoyed the cool water and rested. As dinner time came along we shoved off and went through the last stretch of rapids, where my canoe was close to a full blown wipe out. Thankfully we were able to stable the boat and came out with smiles and exclamations of how awesome that was.

When we made it to the campsite and unloaded from the truck Ji-Won came to me and explained that one of the girls lost her glasses and she believes they were on the rocky beach where we rested. His idea was to drop us off above the place were we rested so we could canoe down, look for the lost glasses and meet him at the beach where we finnished before. I agreed with the plan, helped pack up the equipment and joined Yeay-Jin and Shin-Wan in the truck.

The sun was just touching the mountain and a light mist was floating along the surface of the river. The drive was beautiful, the river was transformed in the evening sun and I was perfectly content to get a chance to enjoy the evening river. It took about 30 min until we reached the place where we could unload and begin the search and rescue. The first destination was only moments away and we began to scan back and fourth for Shin-Wan's brown rimmed glasses. The glasses were never found. The girls and I tried all we could think of to help us find them but had give up the search as the light was fading.

Soon after we left the safety of land I realized the mist had grown to be a dense fog. After passing a large rock projection that split the river, we stayed in view on the left bank as much as possible as we rushed forward on the swirling water. The river was intimidating in the daylight but as we surged forward through the uncertain path ahead the little trip reached a whole new level. We soon began to here the rush and thunder of the rapids ahead and I was suddenly not as excited about them this time. Because my sight was impaired by the dim light and fog all my other senses were hightend. the roar of the rapids seemed overwhelming and close, the water seemed to come alive all around us, I could feel each under current pulling on the boat this way and that and my arms felt the tug and strength of the water against my paddle as i continued to maneuver the boat straight and close to the left bank. I brought us closer to the middle of the river were the rapids were less intense and we rocked and crashed through to return to the left side as the river leveled out.

My mind was wondering to possible outcomes for this adventure while at the same time I was trying to be encouraging for my paddling partners. When we made it through the roughest section I began to look around a little and try to gain my barrings of where we were. I knew that at some point the river split and we needed to stay to the left because the right side would take us around past the beach were we were going to meet Ji-Won. As we paddled I commented, "Wow it looks like a whole different river in the fog." Silence followed and soon one of the girls asked, "Are we going the right way?" For a moment I was not sure but reminded myself we had stayed by the left side the whole time and must just be disoriented by the fog. We continued on for longer than I remember it taking but also figured that must be another trick of the fog. I could tell the girls were a little restless and wanted to say something that would quiet their nerves and reassure them. I looked to the right and saw a light up a ways on the side of the mountain and though I wasn't sure, decided it might be our campsite and told the girls it was. I explained that up their is were we were earlier today and we are going to the bank on the opposite side of the river. Soon I could see the road on the mountain side that we drove on earlier and was encouraged and thankful that my guess was right. It was hard to tell if they understood what I was saying but they did finally recognize the road and light which encouraged them. Shortly after we rounded the corner and I could see Ji-Wan wadding in the water ahead.

Through all the moments of fear, anxiety and uncertainty part of me was also thrilled. I was alive, I was braving the river in the fog with two students, we were tired from the week and hungry from the day's activities, but that only added to the experience.

Currently I am tired out and about to go to bed. I have tomorrow to prepare for the next trip and set of adventures.

Home Stay

I enjoyed a weekend at the Yoo apartment! We had a lot of fun and I was so blessed and encouraged by their kindness. The first day, Saturday, we meet and went ice skating at Time Square Korea style and it was great. I also had a chance to talk with this guy from Canada who is teaching at the English Academy as well as his Korean student/guide for the day.

They insisted on

buying everything and even went as far as to buy me these green Crocs! It just so happens that I have developed some ring worm of my feet and the Crocs are just right to help me keep my feet dry. On that topic Mrs. Yoo studies medicine and acupuncture and made some medicine for me!

Sunday morning me and Eun-Jin make pancakes and proceeded to church followed by shopping and a delicious home made dinner of bergogie and everything delicious.

Monday we went to the Aquarium at COEX, which was amazing! Can you guess what kind of fish this is?

Hiking with The General

A few weeks ago I had the day off and decided to go an a little adventure!

Me and the General (Dog) went on a hike up a nearby mountain. I was not planning on any tag alongs and when the dog started following me i thought he would soon turn around and find something more interesting. I was wrong and he stuck around the whole trip even crossed a fast stream and climbed one steep mountain.

This is the view at the top, it was a cloudy and a little rainy but over all a good day for a hike.

Well not really, but I made the best of it :) I brought one candy bar that I had to sneak because the dog was kinda hungry and i didn't want him trying to take it from me especially because it was chocolate and that is bad for dogs as most people are aware of.

I started the trip fairly optimistically, glad to be free and in the woods. It didn't take long for me to realize that there really wasn't a good trail or at least not where I was hiking. The first hour or so I wasn't clear on where I was going and had a number of dead ends, turn around's and trail blazing episodes. Thankfully once I made it part

way up I came across a trail that actually looked promising. The trail was good and lead me right up the mountain. I realized just how steep the trail was when I attempted the decent.

Coming down the mountain, was when I began thinking about what would happen if I fell and got hurt or died. I mean that would be kinda sad to die in the woods were nobody would be likely to find me and what a mess of trouble that would create! However, I soon began to think about how in a way I am kinda invincible, i mean ya nobody knows when they are going to die but at the

same time we kinda have an idea when we are on the path that God has laid out for us. I know, that God has more for me and he has more life he wants to live with me before we are together for eternity. I was encouraged and reassured by that thought.

Part way down I heard a rush of water to my left and decided I had been on the trail long enough. It was a little tricky getting to the water, but once I found it the cool clear water was so refreshing. I decided to take the river down for a bit and didn't regret my choice. The stream was beautiful, fast, cold and turned out

to be a great shortcut.

Here are some pictures from The Canoe Trip

It was lots of fun!!!

ICC Trip

Just returned from the Hun-Chun River and my big internship project! I was co-leading a college student camping/canoeing trip for three days. There were nine of us total, three boats, three days and a whole lot of fun. We were only able to canoe two of the days due to rain and storms today. So today we played games in the rain, packed, cooked and relaxed before returning to Seoul.

The river was crazy high and fast thanks to the rain we have been getting from the monsoon season. We canoed around 40K yesterday, with spurts of naps and snack breaks along with an almost continual splash battle. About half of us had never even canoed before and most everybody only a few times, but they all did a great job and i was impressed with everyone's great attitudes.

As we were canoeing we took a break along the side in the shadow of some cliffs and discovered snails attached to the rock race under the water. Normally I wouldn't think much of it, but the two in my canoe began to collect them along with a number of others and before long we had quite the stash building up. I soon realized we were collecting part of our dinner and became a little more interested. When we made it back to camp it was an interesting task to clean and cook them, which involved multiple tastings and eventually asking the campsite host if she knew how to cook snails. She let us know that it takes about an hour of boiling along with the other preparations of seasonings and washing that we had already done. Eventually we had a tasty finally to the grilled feast of sum yep sa, american style sausages, mushrooms, kimshi and of course some rice on the side.

I am so grateful to God for working everything out for this trip and helping me to not be anxious or nervous before or during it. It was so good to feel his peace and joy as we floated down the river. I feel he wanted me to know, really know that just like the rivers course is set and directed by his hand, it is the same with my life and my future. He knows the twists and turns, he knows when it will be rough, when I will have to decide what directions to take and exactly what will come of my choice. Best of all he wants me to be at peace through it all, to rest in him and continue to trust that he knows exactly what he is doing. It is amazing all the connections there are between canoeing down a river and our walk as Christians.

When I made it home, there was food(warm rice cakes and honey) and hot beverage waiting for me. As I reflect over the past few days I am so blessed and encouraged to rest in Gods love. He is so good and no mater what whirlwind we find ourselves in his love remains and he continually invites us to come to him.

Ji-won taking some of the guys is the canoe. They obviously didn't know how to paddle but clearly had a great time anyway :)

Me taking my turn at steering.

Ji-won making final preparations before we set out.

Here are some of the girls I meet at Seoul Womens University :) they attend the

University ILF group and volunteer with camp.

This is at the Zoo with Key and Gee!! This Zoo was part of the Grand Children's park and was a great place to walk around and very big.

This is the couch that has been a great place to spend time with God and is on a porch that is off my room. Yeah my room is awesome.

FYI

I am uploading pictures of my room, office and the trip down the river on facebook if you want to check them out.

Today I joined in with SWU basketball class for Health Science Majors and had a great time. All the girls were so much fun and we played for about an hour and a half! Lots of fun and I have to say I am liking Korea!

Last Tuesday and Wednesday Me and Ji Won tackled the Hwan Gang River or at least 70k of it. It was so beautiful and enchanting to be out on the river sorounded by majestic mountains, rock faces and a variety of wildlife. Wednesday, was particularly exciting with me falling into the river fairly early on.

I didn't expect that particular rapid area to be so rabid and we got caught on some rocks and out I fell as the canoe went sideways. I made it through just fine only a scrape on my knee and a few broken nails.

The rest of the day went much better, with spurts of rapids and nap times. Around noon we began to look for a place to get out and find some food when we came upon a group of about 20 men huddled around some coal fires and other cooking equipment. We paddled near them and Ji Won spoke with them. I believe he asked if there were any restrants near by or something along those lines but we ended up getting out and having lunch with them. Little did I know that a quick stop would turn into an hour venture.

I soon became the "honored" gest, they gave me one of the few chairs to sit on, piled the grill with a variety of clams, fresh shrimp, beef, pork and potatoes. Thankfully I am fairly confident with chopsticks and have adjusted to some of the eating habits here. Thankfully I was able to eat and accept the food gracefully and it was uber good as well! Soon after we arrived I looked around and noticed a number of camera's out and to my surprise, realized I was the subject! Some of the guy's knew a little English and we talked a little in between them giving me more food and juice.

Ji Won told me how to say I liked the food (Mashda-which means delicious or something like that), and let me know that some of them wanted to try out the canoe and that he would be right back. I wasn't too excited about the idea of being left alone with all these guy's who barely spoke English but couldn't do much about it and, figured it would be fine and they would enjoy the ride. Yet i was releaved when they made it back and Ji Won was able to help me understand what was going on.

The guy that I was sitting next to for most of time has a daughter who went to Australia and he said she had a hard time there, so he wanted to make sure I felt welcomed. Most of them worked in Seoul as mechanics for the subway and came to the river for some relaxation and a good time.

To top it all off before we left and after I had exclaimed multiple times that I was full (pebula), they said I had to try this particular dish, that is was a very important I at least give it a try. It was a traditional dish where you are supposed to put kimche, pork and this special kind of fish together in one bite and enjoy. It took me a few minutes attempting to put all three together and get it to my mouth with the chopsticks and eventually just picked it up and ate it. Along with almost all the Korean food I have eaten it was good and everyone was overjoyed.

I later found out from Kuk Jay that the fish was a type of Manta Ray and exstremly expensive and an honor for them to offer me some. This is just one example of Korean hospitality and kindness for which I am so grateful.

I am often left wondering why? Why are they so nice to me and honestly I don't deserve any more kindness than anyone else, yet I am blessed and encouraged. It is strange to stick out as well, like everyone notices me and even more so because I am active and do things that most girls here don't like canoe and play basketball.

This Picture is from the Seoul Womens University 50th Anniversary celebration. Here is the Choir singing and they sang in English :)

Some Site Seeing

After lunch on Thursday Key and Ji took me to a park along the Han River. It was a beautiful park, full of vibrant flowers and people especially school children. We all had to laugh as we arrived because none of us had any money for the parking fee, however, the guard in the booth was nice and let us go through anyway! I thought that was a nice little gift from God and it turned out to be an enjoyable time. The random exercise equipment was also a hoot, and at the same time a great idea. I mean how perfect, someone could take a jog along the river stretch and do some equipment work and have a great work out.

After work we went to another park called the Children's Grand Seoul Park (or something like that) and i was amazed at the size and variety in the park. They had amusement rides, a zoo, fields, more exerciser equipment, ponds, artwork, large green houses and lots of trails and just pleasant areas. They also took me to Dinner at a near by dinning facility. Key and Ji were telling me that even though the place looked older the food was good and it is even famous in Korea and just then an elderly lady barfed right on the sidewalk in front of us and just kept on walking. I was a little shocked, looked to my companions and struggled to keep my composure. It was a challenge not to laugh, and Key assured me that was not normal lol.

I enjoyed the appetizer that was something like ravioli but circular and much better. I did discover that I am not a fan of what they call naingmyen which is a cold noodle dish. For the most part though I have enjoyed all the food and am amazed at the variety and abundance. I think maybe this morning was the first time I have been hungry since I came here and I climbed a mountain before breakfast :)

The First Few Days

Everyone i have meet and am working with are amazingly kind! My room where I am staying is incredable and I am feeling very blessed at the moment. I have been warned that this week is an easy week for me to adjust and rest but next week I will not have as much time so figured I better post while I can :)

This morning I went for a run, it seems every house out here has at least three dogs and they all like to bark. The neighborhood where I am staying is what they consider country but i don't know if that is how I would describe it. The roads and driving out here is entertaining to say the least, with all single lane roads lined with either cement walls or gardens when you meet another vehicle you ether have to back up until you have enough room or go off the road to make room.

Well I am off to the office!

The Journey begins...

Before I Ever Left Home

On the plain ride over I was thinking back and know that God has been preparing me for this summer and not only preparing me spiritually, physically and mentally but he has gone above and beyond my material needs as well.

The last month or so God has been providing and blessing me in so many way to even be able to come here, but even more mind blowing for me has been just his abundance of blessing the weeks leading up to my departure.

IT is hard to say when the blessings began, but having my XA pastors pull me aside and tell me they love me and just wanted to bless me on my trip with an Ipod touch is a good place to begin! After that I was like wow, God is providing me with things I never would have dreamed to ask him about. During this time I was also given extra opportunities to earn money.

one in particular that stands out is when I went to babysit and just before I had arrived this families two dogs had just been sprayed by a skunk. Under normal circumstances this would be far from what I would call a "blessing," but that day it was. Mr. Silver was not about to wash them himself and in the end he gave me $100 for about an hours work of washing the dogs. The smell did follow me home, but it was a great reminder that God works in the strangest ways :)

To top everything off, my parents and sisters got together to buy me a digital camera, camera case and memory card! I was amazed but even more so when I found a wad of cash in the camera case. "I don't deserve any of this" was my first thought, but God reminded me none of us deserve anything yet he chooses to bless us anyway. None the less I was grateful and amazed and my families generosity. I was again close to tears when I found out that my sisters had been saving for quite some time in preparation for my leaving and I am just so blessed to have younger sisters who are so willing to bless me with their hard earned money.

now here I am in Korea all set and ready to start this new adventure. I am still a little nervous, but looking forward to all that is ahead of me. Keep me in your prayers and I love all of you.