The Last Day & The Prayer Mountain

  

        Our last day of our trip to South Korea, we went to a prayer mountain.  It is said that the Prayer Mountain Movement in Korea sprang from a practice of the pioneering Christians during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Korean Christians were facing strong opposition from the home religions and philosophies (Buddhism and Confucianism), as well as the mandatory practice of Shinto imposed by the invading forces from Japan.  Many Christians who resisted the curtailment of their freedom of worship were persecuted and even killed. In desperation, the Christians who could not practice their faith openly adopted the practice of waking up as early as four in the morning to ascend the nearby mountains where they could freely pray until the first ray of sunrise. At the end of the day, before going home, the Christians would again ascend the mountains to pray, fast, and ask God to intervene on their behalf.

          I read that anyone who passed by those mountains would hear the cries and weeping of the men and women who were storming heaven with their sad plight and asking God to change their situation. It should be noted that Koreans do not typically pray silently, but rather, very loudly.  From then on, prayer and fasting have been the hallmarks of the strong South Korean Church.  In fact, on the 27^th of each month, there is a world-wide movement to pray and fast for North Korea.  I’m sorry, but I don’t think diplomacy, military might, or economic sanctions will cause the oppressive North Korean regime to fall.  It will be the prayers of God’s people which will end this Asian Christian holocaust.

          Pastor Cho, Chairperson of the Korean board of Seoul USA, has a prayer mountain and a prayer chapel at the base of that mountain.  She invited us to join her for a time of prayer, reflection, and lunch.  We had experienced remarkably good weather our entire trip.  It had not rained a single day during the beginning of the rainy, monsoon season.  That last morning, however, it was raining at our residence.  As we began our two hour bus ride to the prayer mountain, I surrendered the day to God.  I confessed that I really wanted it to be good weather, but I acknowledged that God knows best.  Perhaps the farmers need the rain.  I sacrificed my own selfish desire for a sunny day, and guess what – just minutes later the rain stopped and the sun came out.

          The bus stopped at the main highway and we walked probably ¾ of a mile to the prayer chapel.  I felt sorry for Kim, one of the members of the Southwest Hills mission team, because she was wearing high heels, but this woman of prayer pressed on.  I was wearing my sandals and shorts (we had been told this was OK).  I really did not know the height of this prayer mountain, or the kind of path which would lead to the top.

           Rachel led a devotional time when we got to the prayer chapel.  She shared from 2 Corinthians 1:1-11.  The words, “For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia,” really came to life for me (2 Cor. 1:8).  One of the primary things God spoke to me on this trip was that the ministry was to be the message of the persecuted church in North Korea.  Several people shared great insights from the Scriptures, and then we were given some time to walk around and see what God would say to us at this place.

           I, for one, was not coming to a prayer mountain and not going to the top. I started out the most direct path beside the chapel and up the mountain.  A couple of the youth were following me.  We went a couple of hundred yards to the end of a garden area, and there the path ended.  Someone shouted from down below, “Watch out for snakes.”  With that, and no clear path to continue on, we retreated back down the mountain.  Frustration started to set in.  I couldn’t come to a prayer mountain and not go to the top could I?  As I walked back down the mountain past the prayer chapel, I spied Pastor Cho walking toward me.  She does not speak English, but thru crude sign language I indicated that I wanted to go to the top.  She showed me a path back down the mountain a little ways.  She then did a sort of waving back and forth motion with her hand.  I thought she was trying to indicate that the path was winding with switchbacks.  But when she abruptly crossed both hands in a sort of international “no” or “avoid” type sign, I knew she was trying to tell me to watch out for snakes.  God, I hate snakes.  But I could not leave this prayer mountain without going up.  So, up I went. 

          It was a fairly steep path with quick switchbacks and the ascent went quickly.  I picked up a stick about 7 feet tall to use as a trekking pole and as protection against any slithering devils I might encounter.  Short pants and sandals don’t provide a lot of protection, so a staff would be a real comfort.  I wonder if David had this in mind when he penned, “I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).

           I began to pray in the spirit as I approached an overlook area.  Then, I heard a voice from a little further up ahead.  It was Pastor Rick of the Southwest Hills Baptist Church.  He had been the only one to check on the path in advance, so he made it up to the saddle of the mountain.  He indicated that he had cleared the way of cobwebs with his head along the ridgeline for a while, but he was heading back down to meet with the youth before lunch.  I told him I might be a while. 

           I had not been the first up the mountain.  The competitive side of me kicked in.  I had started out on the wrong path, but had made a course correction.  I did not give up and settle for just being at the base of a prayer mountain.  And, while I could not be first, I could go further – all the way to the summit.  So, I continued along the saddle, snapping photos of the valley below and the surrounding summits.  I hoped I could see the prayer chapel far below, but I never did get a clear view of it.

           After about 25 minutes or so, I viewed the summit up ahead.  It was about time to head back down, but I could not come this close and not go to the very top.  I pushed on.  I felt driven, like a final kick before the finish line of a race.  The undergrowth was thick and you could tell that most people did not go this far when they came up the mountain.  There was a right turn on the trail, where it intersected with another trail.  I broke a couple of small limbs so I wouldn’t miss the turn on the way back down.  And I pushed on.  I am not sure I’ve ever before sensed the urgency I felt at that moment.  I had to get to the top.  I just knew there was something very significant waiting for me there.  My innate fear of snakes and falling from great heights had to be confronted and overcome as I passionately pursued this peak – solo.

           I could not settle for anything less than the best God had in store for me.  As I broke thru the thick underbrush, I came to an area of short heath with incredible views.  The views I thought were good before, now were outstanding.  I snapped several photos, fully knowing that what the camera would capture would not compare to what I was seeing.  I was on the other side of the mountain range which was immediately behind the prayer chapel.  I could see on the back side of that mountain and into a valley which was hidden from my earlier viewpoints.  That, in itself, was a picture to me. I prayed.  I praised God.  I sang old hymns and new praise choruses.  I wept.  I laughed.  It was an amazing God experience. 

          I cannot really find words to describe what I felt and experienced during those next few moments.  I didn’t see a burning bush, receive the 10 Commandments, call down fire from heaven, or even see Jesus transfigured – but something happened to me on that mountain, something very special.  I had earlier written that every man has a mountain, and every mountain has a man.  What I meant by this was that every man has a cause, something much bigger than himself, that he was created by God to spend the rest of his days investing his time, talent, and treasure into so as to leave this world a better place.  And, likewise, there is a cause, just waiting for someone to come along and take it up.  I found my cause on a mountain summit half-way around the world, in South Korea, a country which had not even been on my radar screen a mere two years ago.  But this day I knew from the very center of my soul that I would give the rest of my life for the cause of the persecuted North Korean Church.  In a little less than one hour everything had changed.  I had come to South Korea to play some small part in changing the world, but God showed me that He first had to change me. This He had done.  The “orienting” process was now complete. 

          The man coming home was not the same man who had left west Georgia a mere 9 days earlier.  The man returning now had a cause – and that cause was found in Korea, a land of many mountains.

Day Seven

     

          This morning at breakfast I filled my coffee cup too full.  I sipped a little bit, and then slowly walked back to my table, trying not to spill the coffee.  This was brewed coffee and that was special, because most coffee here is instant – it fits with the fast pace of Seoul.  The Lord spoke to me that He had filled my cup very full with precious things and I needed to walk thru this life more slowly so as not to waste any of the precious gifts He has given me.  Slow down – a good message for me, and the people of fast-paced South Korea.  If we would just slow down and pay attention, God might just show us His glory more often and we might learn what it is He would have us to do.  But don’t walk too slowly thru life either.  I was nearly left by the bus because of delays getting down the elevator from my room! 

          After breakfast, we attended a North Korean defectors’ church.  It is one of two in Seoul where the pastor has had formal seminary training.  There are 5-6 other such churches in the suburbs.  There are about 50 members at the church we attended.  The contrast between this small church and the mega-church for the South Koreans was stark.  There was no big board showing all the many countries they were reaching.  But this small subsistence living level, storefront church was supporting 8 house churches in North Korea.  That is 8 more than my church, but that is about to change. 

          The pastor met with us prior to the service and answered questions and asked a few himself.  He indicated that their greatest need was NK translations of the Bible.  He said it was not unusal for a Christian in NK to pray for a whole Bible for 20-40 years before they received one (or died while waiting).  He related that if a NK crossed the border into China and was caught, they would serve 3-4 years in prison.  If they are a Christian we are told they are executed. 

          They sang more contemporary music “off the wall” and music was supplied by a guitar and electric piano.  Drums were in the corner, but not played in this service.  They had some of the music with English sub-titles, so we joined in the worship.  As I thought about some of the UU people we had said good-bye to the night before, I began to weep as the realization that it was likely that I would not see most of them this side of heaven and most of them would probably be martyred.  I have never met such bold believers before and they make me ashamed of how I will shy away from sharing the gospel for fear of mere rejection.

           After the service, the pastor shared with us a video about the underground church in NK.  The NKs are brainwashing at an early age to believe that South Koreans and Americans are evil.  They are told if they ever encounter us we will kill them and eat them.  The NKs worship their leader, Kim Jong Il as a god.  Christianity is the greatest threat to them because it teaches them not to worship at man, but the One True God.  The video moved me to tears several times, and I asked if I could obtain a copy to share back home.  The pastor respectfully declined, saying that they feared that somehow the NK authorities would get it and digitally remove the obscuring circles they had placed on the Chinese workers’ faces, resulting in them being killed.  There is a holocaust going on in Asia and we are oblivious to it.  This cannot be ignored – God will not allow it.  The seeds I’ve been given I must sow so the rest of the world would know.

Day Six

           Today was the first joint board meeting of the Seoul USA and Seoul Korea boards.  As the Chairman of the USA board I presided over the meeting.  I felt led to start out the meeting with me washing the fellow board members feet (except Pastor Cho who said her hands needed washing instead because the hands were what did the work).  The South Koreans hold pastors, doctors, attorneys, and other professionals in very high esteem.  I believed that it was important to show that I was a servant leader.  I shared a story from my law school days when a professor once told our class that we should not call him an attorney.  He said that attorney carried with it a connotation that he was a servant.  He related that he was no one’s servant.  This is one of the problems with my profession.  There are not enough servant leaders.  Jesus gave us the example for the foot washing just before the Passover feast.  “‘For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you.  I assure you: a slave is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him.  If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them’“ (John 13:15-17).

           Pastor Cho is going to host the part of our group which is staying until Monday at her prayer mountain retreat.  I am really looking forward to that experience.  I told her that I had a prayer mountain at home, and I sought God’s counsel there about our agenda for the meeting.

           We had a very good meeting and accomplished a lot.  The mission statement is to equip the outcasts to reach other outcasts.  We worked on the focus of the ministry.  We are going to direct our energy on the North Koreans, wherever they happen to be located.  We will try to involve the South Korean churches in this ministry, but we want to be sure the North Koreans take ownership of it. 

          We want to begin an intercessory prayer team in the United States.  Pastor Cho said she already had such a team in South Korea.  We will start assembling a team in the US.

          One of the projects we discussed was providing MP3 players for North Koreans.  We can put music, Scripture, and gospel messages on these.  We were told these were one of the most effective ways of ministering to these persecuted people.  MP3 players find their way into markets, where they can be distributed to members of house churches (There are no mega-churches here, normally a house church is maybe 3-5 people.).   We want to get youth in the US involved in this project.  We may be able to “recycle” old MP3s in South Korea to reach North Koreans with the gospel. 

          There was some discussion about the mission team from Southwest Hills Baptist Church feeling like they had not done enough ministry.  We will encourage them to spread the message of persecuted North Korean Christians.  The mission is the message. We want them to share the stories they have heard on blogs, in small groups, at school, in newspapers, on social networking sites like Facebook and My Space.  Although they may not have built anything, or fed anyone, they pray a vital role in this ministry.  The west is oblivious to the persecution going involving the North Koreans.  Just as William Wilburforce first had to inform and educate the people of England about the atrocities surrounding slavery before it was abolished, these young people will spread the word regarding Christians being persecuted and executed in North Korea.  They will tell the stories that cause people’s hearts to be broken by the things which break God’s.

Day Five

          We went to the Korean Folk Village.  It was a re-creation of a 19th Century Korean Village.   We learned that most of Korea looked like this until right after the Korean War.  Seoul, today, reminds me a lot of Atlanta – very modern, with “milk carton” apartment buildings and skyscrapers, but it has more mountains and rivers that ATL.

          We saw commoner’s houses, farmer’s (with slaves) houses, rich men’s houses, a comparrison of North & South houses, woodworking shop, bamboo shop, Korean herb pharmacy, papermaking shop, potter’s house, government building, jail, miller’s house, and general farming buildings and fields.

          My favorite part was the traditional Korean dancers.  They entered a circular areana in very colorful attire to the tune of a horn pipe that sounded a bit like bagpipes.  The dancing was amazing!  They twirled, did semi-cartwheels, banged drums, and twirled “head streamers.”  Very memorable.

          Our tour guide looked like a Korean Elvis in his white jump suit.  I had my picture taken with him.  He needs to be careful – it has not been a good day for celebrities.

           We then saw a gentleman perform a high-wire act.  He crossed a rope about every way you could do it.  After a while, it became like a NASCAR event – everyone just hanging around to see if there would be a bad wreck!  He gave commentary in Korean as he introduced what kind of bounce he would do off the rope and there was no translator.  However, I’m pretty sure he gave a warning not to try the straddle bounce without wearing a cup!

           I picked up some surprise gifts for family and friends, and then we made our way back to Seoul.  I can’t wait to upload some of these photos. 

          We returned to the UU headquarters and heard the story of Kang Chol-Hwan, a famous NK defector who has written a book about his imprisonment and toruture experience.  He said what he experienced was nothing compared to those Christians who were captured in NK.  He said that the NK government considers Christians (especially pastors) more dangerous than spies, because they undermind the personality cult of Kim Jong Il.  All the Christian prisoners are killed if they do not escape.   He also shared that he thought the most effective spreading of the gospel in NK was done by MP3 players that had radios in them.  This allows for the listening of Scripture, sermons, and music.

           Afterwards, we ate Chinese food. I learned that the Chinese food is adapted in each country in which it is served to the local culture.  We had shark fin as one course…ummmm good!  Best shark fin I every ate – no comparrison (really no comparrison, it was the first I ever had).  Didn’t taste like chicken – maybe more like gator tail.

          It is a big day tomorrow. We have our first joint board meeting of the US and SK Seoul USA boards.  I have a surpise for them.  I’ll share that with you later.

Day Four

           Today we had our balloon launch of flyers into North Korea from a fishing boat at sea.  We sent a lot of Scripture off into the wild blue yonder.  We learned that today is the 59th anniversary of the North Korean invasion of South Korea, which marked the beginning of the Korean War.  It was fun to be part of a counter-invasion today.  I think this is part of the whole “battle to fight” need found in each man.  Add in a boat trip, loading 20 explosive hydrogen tanks (hydrogen is cheaper than helium but much more dangerous, but you never hear about a helium bomb), and some special interest from the local SK police and I’d say you’ve got an adventure.  They did get a little loud when someone snapped their picture, but that was about the extent of the excitement.

             We went out from Incheon Harbor for about an hour before we got to the launch site.  We had an escort part of the way.  I wasn’t sure whether to be comforted or concerned.  Eric advised us if we were confronted by any authorities we should only say, “I am carrying an American passport,” and “I am here to observe the balloon launch.”  That is all you should say because anything else would only invite further interrogation.  Although the launch is perfectly legal, that doesn’t keep you from getting hassled sometimes – but not today.  The escort boat turned around after a while and we continued on our way alone. 

            After about an hour out at sea, our local launch team very efficiently launched 8 balloons carrying a total of about 80,000 flyers, all in about 30 minutes.   The balloons are clear (not as easy to spot and shoot down) and elongated (desgined for maximum efficiency at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs).  Each balloon carries 3 bags of flyers.  An acid is released which eats thru wires that bundle the 3 bags.  Once the acid eats thru the wires the flyers are released.  The wind then catches each flyer individually.  They have printing on both sides and open in the middle, like a pita pocket, so the wind can carry them a long way.  Different thicknesses of wires are used to get a greater spread of the flyers into North Korea.  They have done this many times before.   We did draw some interest from sailors on some of the nearby boats, who enjoyed watching this whole up, up and away episode.

             It was an amazing thing to be a part of,  and it went off very smoothly.  Thank you everyone for your prayers.  You are partners in this sea launch. We had good weather, calm seas, and good winds.  Now the results are up to God, and He has said, His word would not return unto Him without accomplishing what He intends.  We have no idea how many of these flyers will be found by North Koreans.  But, what we do know is even if only one person finds a flyer, reads it, and becomes a Christian – the world has been changed forever.  It feels kind of good to be a world-changer; everyone should try it.  You know, this kind of makes me want to go see the movie Up now

            After lunch on the bus, we went to Nanta. This was a very entertaining production which has been continuously running since 1997 and has been around the world. It features drumming, dancing, and comedy – all mixing in traditions from the Korean culture.  It was very cool!

           And now the Southwest Hills Baptist Church mission team is back at the Underground University teaching the North Korean Church in exile.  These are exciting days!

Day Three

          First, let me start out by saying how impressed I have been with the youth from Southwest Hills in Portland, Oregon.  They are very spiritually mature and a pleasure to be around on this mission trip.  Parents, Pastor Rick,  and youth pastors, you can be proud.

          We started out today by leaving the Co-op at about 4:30 for early morning prayer service.   Our service started at 6:00 AM and was the second service.  We were given headphones to translate the devotional type message.  The prayer was loud, simultaneous, and emotional.  It was a powerful experience.  There were about 2000 people present for this morning prayer.  They have these every day – several times per day.  No wonder South Korea has ten of the eleven largest churches in the world.

           Next, we went to fold flyers for the balloon launch tomorrow.  The flyers have Scripture on them and are printed on plastic that will float down on the countryside.  The folding was done to keep them from sticking togther.  I think we did about 10,000 today.  Various methods of folding were used: one knee down, foot tapping, and standing/hand fold.  The youth started singing and made up their own song sung to the tune of “I have decided to follow Jesus.”  It goes: O North Korea, you need a savior, O North Korea, you need a savior, We’re sending tracts, we’re sending tracts!

           Then we had lunch at the Korean version of McDonalds.  I forgot the name, but McDonalds is actually #2 in sales to this company, which had some interesting local items.  I tried squid rings, and pomegranite juice with my burger.  Afterwards, I had a green tea ice cream from Baskin Robbins.

           We then returned to SUSA headquarters where we heard the testimonies of two NK defectors (after we got shirts for the balloon launch and I Love NK keyrings).  It is amazing what these people have been thru.  It makes our daily problems seem petty.  God is certainly breaking our hearts with the things that break His. 

           Afterwards, we had a great meal and then returned to the Co-op on the Seoul Subway Train.  Tomorrow’s a big day with the balloon launch.  Be in prayer for safety, good weather, calm seas, favorable winds, and good ground for these Seeds from the Word.

Day Two

          I got a good night’s sleep last night.  I woke up and took a shower.  It was a little hard to locate the towels.  There was something that looked like a large medicine cabinet, and I looked inside when I saw no towels to use to dry off.  I knew our hosts had been very hospitable, and it would not have been consistent with their behavor to not supply towels. The towels were inside this cabinet, because they don’t use shower curtins.  I learned from our first night’s stay.  Space is a very precious resource, since 70% of SK is uninhabitable mountains, so they maximize every bit of space.  I later learned that Jim didn’t get a shower because he did not want to question our hosts about the lack of towels.  Jim, you should have just asked me. 

          I laughed and told Jim, “Faith is spelled R-I-S-K” (and sometimes involves willingness to make mistakes and ask forgiveness).

          Mrs. Kim prepared a very delicious breakfast for us.  We had toast, eggs, Korean coffee (always instant), tomatoes, lettuce, and jam.  We just made folded over sandwiches of the whole combination.  Hardees should try it!  It was good.  For “desert” we had fresh fruit.  Big grapes we would have called muscidines, apple, mellon, and peaches.  The Korean peach was very good but they had no fuzz.  How do they describe a young man when he tries to grow his first facial hair?  I had learned that our Georgia peaches originally came from the Orient as I was preparing for this trip.  I can say that we have experienced true southern hospitality here in South Korea.

          We met Mr. Kim’s 14 year old daughter.  She was going to school at 8:30 AM.  After 1st school, she went to a 2nd school, and would not return home until 11:00PM.  Education is very important to the Koreans.  It is very competitive to get into the universities here.  About 750,000 students vie for 250,000 spots each year.  I’ll tell my daughter not to complain so much about her AP work next year:)

          We then left with Mr. Kim, our translator Mr. Park, and our security guard.  Mr. Kim is the #2 assination target for NK because he is a very high profile defector who does radio broadcasts into NK.  So, he has a security detail assigned to him.  Along our drive I learned Mr. Park, our translator,  is a student of international law, specializing in law relating to defectors. He is sending me his thesis.

          We arived at the Voice of Freedom radio station and Mr. Kim showed us around.  I got a picture of a NK military uniform in one office.  We heard moving testimonies from several NK defectors.  One lady’s husband is currently being held by the Chinese police for smuggling NK defectors across the border.  They are asking a $23,000 bribe for his release.  Another young lady was a 3rd generation Christian from NK.  She did not know where the rest of their family was because their house church had been raided and all but her were taken into custody.  And we’re afraid to share the Gospel because people might reject our message…how sad.  These are real, bold believers!

          We had a great dinner with our translators.  It was duck, BBQ duck and it was good.  But I don’t think Bubba’s BBQ Duck would go over that well at home – you know, the whole chop stick thing.  I’m getting better with them.  We returned to the Co-op Residence and shared what each group had learned during the day.  We were all moved by what we had experienced.  We are beginning to understand, and I think catch a vision for what God wants to do with each of us.  “Brothers, consider your calling…” (1 Cor. 1:26).

Here is a short poem inspired by our stay:

In this world there is much sorrow,

I’ll deal with it – and start tomorrow.

But in Seoul, I find, tomorrow begins today,

God would have me serve without delay.

Day One

           Sorry I’m a little behind on the reporting.  Here’s a recap of the first full day in Seoul.  After a good breakfast (but sorry Jim, not at the bakery), we left for the DMZ (demilitarized zome).  Now the DMZ is the most heavily guarded border in the word and there is military stretched all along this 4 kilometer wide strip of land dividing North and South Korea.  

          We stopped along the way at an amusement park right next to the DMZ.  I guess the South Koreans want their people to see this as safe and secure.  We went up on an observation tower and could see the DMZ.  We then continued on.  We drove thru military checkpoints to the closest observation point in the DMZ.  We could actually see NK from the mountain lookout.  We could not take pictures of NK or the SK fence-line.  We prayed for NK and as we prayed I heard my first real cuckoo bird.  I was unsure if it was a mocking from Satan as the the uselessness of prayer, or God telling everyone how crazy this whole DMZ thing was to Him, and admonishing us to spread the word and the Word.  I think the latter…

            We left from there and went to a cemetary for foreign missonaries.  It reminded me of my trip to the Holocaust Memorial in Israel last fall.  It was very sobering and somber.  I had many people say how brave I was to come to SK.  I told them SK was safe (now) and that the really brave people were those who have escaped NK and are preparing to go back there to spread the Gospel.  Those people are BRAVE and are Heros!  And we met them the first evening – the students at UU.

           I couldn’t help but feel as sense of pride as we went to the Seould USA headquarters and UU.  Just a few months ago this was just a dream – now reality.  God is great!  We shared Korean pizza with the students.  Bob Faulkner organized a fun get to know one another exercise.  We wrote 3 things about ourselves others didn’t know, wadded the pieces of paper up, and threw them across the room in a mock snow ball fight.  Then, everyone read their piece of paper and we tried to guess the identity of the author.  That was fun and very revealing.  As the NKs shared their stories we heard of heartbreak and hardship as a normal part of their lives.  Please pray for God’s healing for these people.

         Then, we left for our homestays.  Jim Dau (Pres. of VOM) and I stayed with Mr. Kim, head of UU.  And the first day was over…and it was good.

We’re Here

Everyone arrived safely in South Korea.  Eric says their airport it is constantly rated as the best airport in the world.  They seem to be more concerned with the Swine Flu here than any threat from North Korea.  We were all screened at the airport with our temperatures being taken.  And I thought the US was paranoid!

 We were taken by bus to our hotel in Seoul.  We all went to bed about as soon as we got to our rooms.  The rooms are very nice, but small (reminds me of Israel).  I guess we really take for granted all the extra space we have in the States.  I understand that 70% of South Korea is uninhabitable mountains.

 There is a 13 hour difference from US eastern time zone, so I was pretty tired and went to bed around 9:00PM.  Eric has the gift of prophesy, because, just like he said I was up at about 2:15 AM.  I’m still getting used to this whole today is yesterday at home thing.  But, this might work out well for a procrastinator like me because tomorrow finally does come and the future is now!

After breakfast, we are headed to the DMZ (demilitarized zone).  This is the 2 KM wide barrier between North and South Korea.  It is one of the last relics of the cold war and attracts many tourist every day.  Techincally, the Korean War never ended (no peace treaty every signed) but there has been an uneasy truce ever since 1953.  But don’t worry, the area is safe, and we should have some great pics tomorrow.

Later, we will be going for our home stays.  We all got a chuckle last night when Hyun Sook told everyone to prepare for their “one night stand.”  Eric quickly corrected her.  We did not want any of the teens on the trip telling their parents we were arranging for one night stands for them in Seoul.  We will be spending one night with people assoicated with Underground University, before returning to our hotel on Tuesday.  This will give us a better idea of their living conditions and their daily activities.  We will be attending and observing the UU tonight.  I know this will enable us to pray for them more effectively.

Grace and peace to y’all (I didn’t learn much South Korean, but I’ve got the South part down).  Thank you all for the many prayers that have been and continue to be lifted up for us on this trip.

I’ll try to update again tomorrow…wait is that today?  Man this is confusing at times

Stephen E. Garner

SUSA Board Chair

South Korea here we come!

In an effort to learn about the Korean culture in anticipation of our Seoul USA trip to South Korea, I made a list of my favorite Korean proverbs.  Think of it as a crash course in a 5000 year old culture.  Feel free to add some of your own favorites as a comment.

Carve the peg by looking at the hole.

Power lasts ten years; influence not more than a hundred.

Cast no dirt into the well that gives you water.

Catch not at the shadow, and lose the substance.

Cross even a stone bridge after you’ve tested it.

Even a fish wouldn’t get into trouble if it kept its mouth shut.

Man’s affairs are evaluated only after his coffin is closed.

Man’s extremity, God’s opportunity.

Put off one day and ten days will pass.

The bad plowman quarrels with his ox.

The deeper the waters are, the more still they run.

Even children of the same mother look different.

A kitchen knife cannot carve its own handle.

Underneath the lamp base is dark.

An empty cart rattles loudly.

Starting is half the task.

Someone else’s rice cake looks always bigger.

Even if you know the way, ask one more time.

One can build a mountain by collecting specks of dust.

Even words without feet travel thousand miles.

Words have no wings but they can fly a thousand miles.

Wheat hangs its head deeper as it ripens.

Even if the sky falls on you, there is a hole from which you can escape.

Where there are no tigers, a wildcat is very self-important.

If you want catch a tiger, you have to go to the tiger’s cave.

A turtle travels only when it sticks its neck out.

You will hate a beautiful song if you sing it often.

Seven falls, eight rises.

Though it is small, the pepper is hot.

If you starve for three days, there is no thought that does not invade your imagination.

If you like things easy, you’ll have difficulties; if you like problems, you’ll succeed.

If you kick a stone in anger, you’ll hurt your own foot.

If affection is to be received, it must first be given.

The fallen leaf says the pine needle is noisy.

If it’s the same price choose the crimson skirt.

The great dish takes time to finish.

You must even cross the great rivers and sea to see what it’s like.

The thief calls others thieves.

Dream of pigs.