I am back State side once more!! Here is some stories and info from my next newsletter:
These past two weeks have been especially eventful! I participated in a very unique family camp program that was for families with children who are diagnosed as ADD and/or ADHD. attended my final nature school and nature discovery programs as well as packing up and moving out of my current residence.
ILF has been partnered with IZone(a Korean social welfare center) for this family camp the past four years. A good overall description for our time together would be "high energy". At the start my heart was not in it this camp. I was not excited about adjusting my plans to attend this camp especially because I was only asked/told about everything the day before. However, even with all the craziness and challenges it was more than a good experience, it was clearly a powerful time for the kids, their families and the IZone staff.
When the bus with the families was about to pull up I had one of those "what am I doing here" moments. I expressed my doubts to my companions and mentioned how the kids would most likely be nerves and scared around me anyway. A new volunteer and friend was quick to contradict my negative attitude and it gives me joy to say she was quite right to do so.
By Gods grace, when the bus did come I was a new person, energized and on point! Ultimately I have never had so many kids like me so much! Of course that's not the goal of camp but it makes more opportunities for creating memories and meaningful moments if the participants like and bond with the leaders. During our games outside I was in constant demand as a partner for bad mitten, football(both kinds), frisbee and later in he evening for the hiding games.
In order to fully clarify the situation, most Korean children are intimidated and awed by foreigners, and even more so when a foreigner is not in School. The common Korean child may take days to months to get used to me being around.
By evening one boy of about 10 took my hand and declared us partners. What amazed me was how determined he was to be my partner even though neither of us understood the game or each other very much. When we were inside sitting down his sister came over and asked him if he liked me in a teasing but kind sort of way. He hesitated so I put in that maybe he liked me, but just a little but he was not ashamed and let his sister know that he did like me.(some details lost in translation :)
One other noteworthy point about this family camp was the variety of family types. In general Korean parents work a lot and taking time for camp is usually asking too much especially for the father. However, this family camp enjoyed the presence of three dads :) a few families the fathers could not make it, one family consisted of a boy and his grandmother.
Right off the bus one boy had not only found but was holding a large, orange and beautifully designed moth. This was my moment, the first person in Korea who was not afraid to go near a moth! The same friend from earlier helped us communicate more effectively by casually translate some of what I said. Instead of giving him what he expected, correction, anger, yelling or running from his moth. We encouraged and a were excited, we spoke of how beautiful and delicate the moth was and how cool it was he wanted to hold it. As he held the moth and we spoke encouragingly his face and his spirit softened for even just a moment. I can't say his whole time at camp was good, we all soon found out he was the boy who came with his grandmother and that he was going to be a challenge but I was glad to have had that moment and that connection with him.
October Events/Programs:
Meari Nature School
Nature Discovery
Camp Programs
Reunion Camp
IZone camp
Church Outreach Party
SIF Canoe Camp
Weekly Korean Lessons Thanksgiving in Doxso
Pastors Wedding
Flight Home
Making cookies for church party
I started the Bonzo block durring reunion camp :)
Meari Nature School sweet potato harvest
Nature Discovery
Growing cabbage for kimchi
