Trip to Korea Dec 2004

Trip to Korea Dec 2004 - Jan 2005

Thursday, 27 January 2005

My trip to Korea Dec 2004-Jan 2005

Korea was very different than I imagined and I am just so happy to be back home. 1st week, I caught up with close relatives (2nd, 3rd and 4th cousins).
It was wonderful to see them again after 5 years and I was thrilled to meet their in laws as well. Because of time difference I found it hard to go to bed in time or even get up early in the morning. They would normally go to bed around 10-11pm, our time 2-3am. Pretty late, huh?
Because of that I was feeling tired all the time.....but I think I got used to it by end of 2nd week.

By end of 1st week, my grandmother (my dad's side) came up from Go heng to Kwang ju to meet me and I also met my uncle (my dad's 5th little brother) who came from Tae jeon as well. It's pretty interesting how in Korea being 1st child or 1st grandchild is so important (Specially if you're a boy). I think my grandmother was a bit disappointed that Ryan couldn't come but oh well....that's just too bad. They have to respect that even though I am not a boy, I am still her 1st grandchild! :)

Mom and I attended the Lord's table in Church in Kwang ju that sunday morning and blended with saints there. They welcomed us with open arms and it was just so sweet. They had this huge tall building and the meeting hall was just underneath. 1st floor was used for kitchen and 2nd, 3rd and 4th floor were used for brother and sisters houses and it was very modern.
I went to visit brother's house when I introduced my cousin Sung bae to serving brothers with mom. It was pretty cool how they had the whole building used for the saints and the church.

2nd week, I spent 2 hours each morning having conversation in English with my cousin and his 3 other friends. They were all 13 years old and couldn't understand anything I spoke to them. Apparently in Korea, if you are an English teacher, you can make a lot of $$$$$$!! I was only helping them out but really I needed patience. In the afternoon mom and I had a little chance to do some window shopping and at night we got invited out for dinner from our relatives....families are very close in Korea...like you would keep in touch with everyone...even your 8th cousin!!! For me this was new and a bit weird...felt like they had no private life at all...everybody knew about everyone!!

And end of 2nd week, I went to Ulsan to see my dad. (About 5 hours away from Kwang-ju) My dad looked much bigger and shorter than last time I saw him (I guess he's getting old) and he took me and mom out in this restaurant called 'New York Lobster' for dinner. It was very nice but serving Kim chi there was very very Korean style. Actually I found out Korean people can't live without eating Kim chi.....wherever I went I think they all served Kim chi..even when I went out to have Korean sushi Chinese food or Japanese Udong.

On sunday, we went to visit church in Ulsan. Since mom and I didn't have a car, we convinced dad to take us and stay for the meeting for 2 hours.
About 50 saints were there and we met in a small building right central of Ulsan. It took us a while to find the building because they didn't have any signs at all, but eventually we got there and I purchased a small Korean hymnal. I only had English hymnal and it was no use over there. My dad wasn't very open but few brothers there recognized my dad from his previous work, so we introduce my dad to elders and asked them to care for my dad. What a coincidence! I mean it's very rare to find someone in the church life who you used to work with, right?
I have spoken to my dad and asked him to keep in touch with the saints there so hopefully he will be saved and come to know our wonderful Christ soon or later! He promised he will try to attend at least 1 meeting every month. Lord Jesus! Save him! Open his eyes so that he can see you.

3rd week, I did my final shopping and packed my bag ready to fly home.
Sister Trinity Hwang came to Seoul Kimpo Airport to say goodbye and bought me a nice cup of caramel coffee. It was wonderful to see her again after 3 years and she told me she's getting married this year. It's really exciting to hear people getting married. Praise The Lord!
After seeing Trinity, mom and I got on to a bus to get to Incheon International Airport.

Now I am back home, I think it would be hard for Korean people to enjoy Christ over there. For me, there were so many distractions...specially when I went out shopping and the life over there is pretty chaos. People work day and night and they come home very late.
There were so many items that I couldn't take my eyes off and I think I even forgot to do Morning Revival few times because I was just too tired and lazy. I only had about 5-6 hours of sleep each night. Not enough hours for a girl like me..who needs at least 8 hours of sleep!!
But the most wonderful news is we have local churches there. Saints encourage you to run after the Lord and as long as we enjoy Christ with them, we get saved and we're in heaven.
I am so glad I got to see more of the body of Christ and experience the oneness of the Body. Although they spoke in different language, it didn't matter because they were all expressing Christ!
I felt that Lord has really blessed me that I was able to travel and blend with saints in other countries at least once a year and I would like to encourage all of you to visit other local churches. You will get to see more of the Body of Christ and your view gets enlarged. Thank you for all the local churches Lord. Keep build us up together as your bride.
May our Lord bless you and I hope to see you very soon.
We need to head up all things in Christ!