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 :)