What's Up

So, I haven't actually said much lately about what I'm up to in Seoul, job-wise, and when I'm coming home! Things have been up in the air for so long, which is part of the reason. The other part is probably an avoidance issue, knowing how long it might take to explain!

As you may know, my public school job just came to an end today! I only went half-way through my second year because I need to be home in June for a family reunion (as promised in 2007! haha). I also felt ready to move on. But, I was offered another job teaching English at a Korean church, with a ministry focus. This would involve after school programs for younger kids, teaching all aspects of English (conversational, reading, writing, etc) most of the week, and then Fridays doing special programs in a Vacation Bible School style - songs, plays, games, stories, crafts, etc. I have complete freedom here. Also, in the mornings I would teach classes for adults, in reading the Bible in English and "Mommy and me" classes for moms and babies, mostly music-oriented.
After MUCH deliberation and prayer, and after saying "no" a couple of times, I finally decided to take the job and stay longer in Korea, really feeling that it is the best decision for me right now, in spite of a desire to be closer to family and friends too.

So how did I get this seemingly random job? It literally fell into my lap, when I was introduced by my friend Annie to the pastor's wife at this church (they are Korean American, and the husband was her pastor in CA, but they recently moved to Korea). She talked to me about the English ministry she was starting at their church. After getting to know me, she offered a teaching position, starting in March when my job finished. She knew upfront that I would need to go home for most of June, and was fine with that as well, so I will be home in June for quite awhile. I was not expecting to stay in Korea so long of course, and maybe you are surprised too. A few months ago, I said I would only stay in Korea if a really different job was available to me, assuming I could pretty much only teach in a public school or Hawgwon (academy). Instead, this job showed up. While it may not sounds different...(it's still teaching, right?), what I am excited about is the working environment and vision for teaching at the school...it's not about making a buck, and I won't have classes of 32 kids of different levels all in the same class with no Korean speaker! The pastor and his wife are both amazing, kind, smart, and accommodating. They aim to serve students who can't afford to study English at a regular Hawgwon (these places cost a fortune, and are often really ineffective!) I am also confident that my work relationships will be very positive, and there will be less communication issues since the pastor's wife is fluent in English!

For awhile it looked like the licensing for the school would be delayed so we would have started in summer rather than spring, but now they decided to go ahead for March again, so I am set to move & start the new job soon. It may be slow at first, so I am going to audit 2-3 classes in the mornings this semester at Torch Trinity Graduate School of Theology, an international seminary in Seoul. I am excited for this opportunity to work and study at the same time. I am auditing because as of now I have no plans to pursue a degree at seminary, but I am just interested to take some practical ministry and Bible related classes.

So, whew!! It's been quite a process to make this decision, and a lot of back & forth on whether or not I was staying, and when the job would actually start. I hope you understand this doesn't reflect a desire to escape or avoid anything in the States, and I was actually looking forward to going home for many reasons. This just felt right personally and professionally as well. I have a strong community here, close friends, wonderful coworkers, and a great church, so for now I can enjoy a little more time in Korea, and we'll see what happens from there.