Hello Friends and Family!

Greetings from a place far, far away!

I really enjoy living in the big city. Several times, I've gone out with coworkers after work and we sit in a restaurant till the wee morn, then go to the singing room!

Korea is very goofy about holidays... we have many tuesday holidays. (???) So I haven't really been able to travel much. But I've been toodling around Seoul quite a bit. There's a Louvre exhibit at a museum close by. And theres always something fun and exciting to do here.

I am so excited to have found a church to attend!! Its a HUGE church (which is not uncommon here) with English ministry. I'm surprized that most attenders are Koreans! (most English services are a translation of the Korean one... but not at this church) The pastor is a Korean guy who preaches in English. I'm very encouraged that this church is very missions oriented. And I'm getting involved with their welcome team!

Though Korea is pretty affluent, I see beggars every day. You see blind guys shuffle through the subways with baskets and radios for attention, and I see a guy everyday on the stairs of the subway station closest to my apartment. Sometimes he is on his knees with is forehead to the ground... sometimes he just sits there with his little handout-basket.

I usually try to drop a few coins ($0.50 or so) and its gotten to the point where I worry if he's not there. I wonder, what SHOULD my response be? The American-capitalist, free market society-work-hard-and-you-will-reap-benefits, side of me says, its the same thing every day. Am I contributing to his situation by reinforcing his actions? Or is he truly in need, at the end of his wits, and any little thing I can do is helping him? I just don't know. I've often contemplated dropping a snack or a yogurt in his basket. Would that help him more than a few pennies, which only contribute perhaps to a booze addiction? If I'm supposed to see the good in everybody, will the Big Guy help those I want to help? Will my intentions ever really help this guy? Should I give him a burger? a Korean B1ble? I really ponder.

Things are going well, but I am never above the need for grace and guidance from Above.

Please pr@y:

~~That I would stay abreast of the challenges of my new school. I still feel like such a deep-sea fish on the beach. "Oh Lord, help me catch a breath!"

~~That I would be a caring loving friend to so many people here who have SUCH different beliefs and attitudes from me! l hold fast to my convictions, but its really fun to get such a variety of attitudes.
~~ Safety from harm.. Korea is a pretty safe country ..... but not without quirks. Some drunk spent an hour last night knocking on my door and fiddling with the lock. (No worries.. I have a deadbolt lock) mostly just an annoyance.

~~ That I would not lose steam in this race. Many nights I come home exhausted! Whoever said, teaching in Korea is Easy Street was LYING! I really cherish tthe e-mails, pictures and podcasts from home. Morale is so important!

I love you all, and I am so thankful for your encouragment! What's happening with you? Any exciting news? Prayer requests? Let me know!

Anna