Myul-Chi

                                  Korean Anchovie Dish
I ate this at the school not knowing what it was.  After a couple bites I looked down and saw little eyes looking at me.  The teacher's laughed because of the way I was looking at it.

P.S. it does not taste good.

Prayer...and Puzzles

I think anyone who reads the Bible would agree that the Gospel of Luke is one narrative of perfection.  Themes such as good news to the poor and the marginalized, Pax Christo vs. Pax Romana, restoration and inclusion for all nations, and its Spirit led emphasis speak well for us in our cultures, gives us that ‘umph’ and motivation to move and act and preach the good news for ALL people. 

Along with this I’ve noticed another theme intertwined in Luke’s narrative.  It seems that every time something important was about to happen Jesus did one thing: he prayed.  Not only this but he prayed alone in “desolate places.” 

What I’ve noticed about the Korean Body more than anything is their devotion to prayer.  It took me off guard at first.  Anytime they get together to pray everyone prays out loud at the same time.  Many teachers before they teach a class just sit at their desk for a few minutes and pray silently.  Just seeing their faces as they pray silently astounds me.  They’re eyes are so tightly closed.  They are so focused on their conversation with the Lord.  Nothing else distracts or takes them from it.  And every time we share together it is always centered on their prayers.  We had a birthday party for a couple teachers the other day.  We sang happy birthday (in Korean) and then prayed for them.  They shared really deep requests like it wasn’t a big deal…because we’re family.  One shared openly that him and his wife want to have a baby.  The other talked about how he wants to get married.  I guess I never realized how much I think in terms of “right time” “right place.”  But they don’t care. They are HAPPY when they share their lives, because they know the Body will pray, and they are so confident God will take care of them.  They know God has all the pieces of their lives in his hands, even though they do not know how it is all going to fit together.

The last couple of weeks I’ve been tempted to feel extremely anxious and weary over school.  Every day I have a new piece to add to the puzzle, a new challenge, a change of plans, and an extra job.  And my need for incessant planning and order has not served me well in a place that is more focused on the students than the lesson plans.  On one of these worry filled days, I was asking my co teacher a million questions about curriculum, and she finally just smiled and said, “First we pray; then prepare.” 

This week we received the planners the students would journal in about their Bible readings.  The motto on the diary says, “When we work, we work.  When we pray, God works.” 

I know its cheesy, and maybe I’m a cheese ball, but I think God’s a cheese ball too sometimes.  And I think He really used this cheese ball statement to really show me how important it is to pray; to stop worrying and start trusting.  And trusting comes when I pray first.

Every morning I walk about 15 minutes to get on the bus for school.  It’s my desolate place where the sun rises and the Lord and I talk.  And then I get to school and join in prayer with other tongues who are so devoted to talking intimately with God and sharing their lives openly.  Suddenly the puzzle doesn’t look that scary, especially when I know I’m not the one holding it together.  

Yubin and I have been working on this puzzle since I got to Korea.