Getting Hugged by a Drunk Korean

Yes, it's true. I was hugged randomly by a drunk guy on the street this evening. It was weird, but it was OK. Although, getting more attention by other Koreans isn't what I like to get if I can. But, I'm a Caucasian guy living around a bunch of Asians. What else should I expect?

Anyways, I've been having an interesting time here. My job is becoming more complicated than I expected. I definitely have to watch what I say and do around my students. Apparently they tell their parents EVERYTHING! So, even if I tell one of my students that he's crazy, he'll tell his parents and the parents tell my boss. Calling a person crazy in Korea isn't considered a good thing. Sometimes I enjoy work, but other times I don't. I usually enjoy work when I can actually get my students to study. Slowly, I've been able to get some of my students to actually study. Some of the students actually prefer to have me because I make learning a little more fun for them evidently. But the middle school students, on the other hand, just want me to talk all the time. They just don't want to study. Also, the middle schoolers try to always study for their vocabulary test in class. Usually, if I catch them, it's -3 points from their test. They definitely complain about it.

At church, I've been busy helping out with the Welcome team. It's not a bad way to serve actually. But apparently, it's one of the most important jobs behind the witnessing and preaching of the Word. Because there are so many foreigners that come and go at church, Meeting with them and connecting with them is a big task. For one, it's tough trying to meet new people during fellowship when all your friends want to talk to you. I've been trying to meet as many new people as possible because it's important that they know who's sending them these emails with the name "Myron Brown" attached to the closing. It's just good to have a name with a face. This past Sunday, I gave the invocation in the morning service and sang on the stage with the VBS kids for the afternoon service. If you want to see me, just go to www.myiwe.com. It's pretty easy. The Scripture reading is from Gen. 3:1-13.

My free time is usually limited to only one day: Saturday. This past Saturday I met up with this guy I met on the subway a couple weeks ago. His name is Jin Hyeok. He's a pretty cool guy. I had to wait for him, so spent lots of time in some bookstores and coffeeshops in downtown Seoul. Apparently, he's a grad student at Seoul National University (the Harvard of Korea) studying chemical engineering; but, as a part time job he teaches Japanese at a language academy. We had a good time. We went to this restaurant and had samgibsan (it's a Korean barbeque, but you actually get to cook your food how you like) and drank soju (Korean beer). He's a Catholic Christian, but he's a true believer, which is good. We talked a lot. He asked me if I would help him improve his English. Evidently, when he was in high school his major was English. He was preparing to go to the US to go to undergrad school, but it was too expensive. So, he went to Japan, learned the language in a year, and got his bachelor's there. He also told me that after he gets his masters he wants to work for a research institute in Korea. Apparently, he hasn't served his required military service yet, so if he can get into a national research institute he can bypass the system. It kinda sucks I guess for Korean guys; apparently, all Korean men have to serve in the military for at least two years. Anyways, after that, we went to Insadong and had traditional Korean tea. It was amazing! Not only was it traditional tea, but also the mugs were handmade! It was just awesome!

So, I had a good time Saturday night. I was able to have fellowship with a brother in the faith, and practice my Korean which is getting better and better. I don't think I've explained this very well, but making friends here in a foreign country has been a major goal for me. While lately I've had an easy time making foreigner friends, it's been tough making Korean friends. I feel bad sometimes when I spend time with Koreans because they have to speak in English around me. Just for the record, English is difficult for Asians to speak. Not only is it a foreign language and an unrelated one too, but also it's spoken in a different area of the mouth so muscles that normally don't work in that area have to. It gets tiring for them. It's like trying to run when your body isn't used to it.

God has definitely challenged me here. Not only have I left my comfort zone, but also I've been placed in a leadership role as a teacher and as the Welcome team leader. It's tough, and some times it's overwhelming, but it has been good for me. Since I've been here I've had to make many adjustments and changes to the way I like to live. I'm still the calm, quiet, laid-back, bookish kind of guy I was in the States, but I've had to become a leader and quick thinker too. I'm not sure what plan God has made for me, but I have to trust Him daily. Please continue to pray for me. Also, pray for my family. I found out last week that three days after I left for Korea my dad lost his job. They didn't tell me because they didn't want me to worry about it, but it's tough for me knowing now. I feel like I should send more money home to help my parents out. I know that it's in God's hands and that He's the one who will provide for them, but I feel obligated to as their son to help my family. I don't know how many of you understand these kinds of feelings since it's not a normal one in our culture, but I've always had a feeling for supporting my family since I was a child. It's weird, but it's true.

Anyways, I'll keep praying for you guys out there.

Peace.