Whirlwind first week

This week has been very busy! I had orientation every day and began learning a little about Korean language and culture. I can actually say a few things now and I don't feel as uncomfortable as I did in the beginning trying to use Korean words. Yesterday was my favorite part of orientation because I got to go visit the school that I will be teaching at Monday! The school is called Cheonan Namsam Elementary and it has around 1200 students in 1st through 6th grade. The kids were very excited about the new "foreign" English teacher coming to the school, but also a little apprehensive because I am a native English speaker. I visited all of the different floors of the school and it almost felt like I was a celebrity. The kids would surround me and say "hi"! They gave me hugs, some shook my hand, and others brought me a piece of paper and asked for my signature. I probably signed 50 papers while I was there. Some were too shy to talk to me, but seeing their smiles calmed my nervousness. I teach at Namsan Monday-Wednesday and then I teach at another elementary school called Sin-an on Thursdays and Fridays. I don't know very much about my second school, but I learned today how to take the bus and walk to the second school on Thursday.

Tomorrow all of us will meet with some Korean pastors or Sunday school superintendants from Korean churches for lunch and work out carpooling to church on Sunday morning. The tradition in Korea is for all churches to begin at 11 a.m. and eat lunch together after the service. I possibly will have the opportunity to share a Bible story for the children on Sunday morning, as well. On Monday morning, there will be an assembly for all the students and teachers at my school and I will have to introduce myself to everyone. I am a little nervous, but I am confident that God's grace will give me strength. I have thought a lot over the past few days about why I am here. I know I came here to be an English teacher, but I also came here because God called me to serve in Korea. His purposes are much greater and far more vast than I could ever grasp or imagine. As a follower of Jesus Christ, my mission is always to have the mind of Christ, be willing to testify about what He has done in my life, and to share His love with everyone I come in contact with on a daily basis. My job here may be a teacher, but I am first and foremost Christ's disciple living in a world in need of the hope found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ!