update from Korea

John and Ann are in Korea and John is teaching education courses at a University there. I just got this email from them:

Just a quick note to indicate that we are doing fine. I am getting into this university stuff and am getting lots of help from other faculty members and a student assistant who volunteers his services. Life in Korea seems a little topsy-turvy sometimes. Even the taps in my office turn on in a direction opposite of what we're used to. Drivers in Korea are crazy and expect to have you watch out for them. I don't know how often I haven't seen a car ease through a red light even forcing into traffic coming from other directions.

Last night (Wednesday) we attended a mid-week service at Hosannah church, the second largest church in Busan, where we live. (Size seems to be very important here). It is a Presbyterian church but the service last night was more charismatic in nature with speaking in tongues and a healing service. This is the church that wants me to help them start a Christian school. And I was introduced to the congregation. Ann was shy and didn't want to come to the front of the church with me. There must have been 500 people at the service and people came in and left throughout the service. I sure felt big compared to the pastor and my translator. Anyway the service last from 7:30 p.m. to well past 10:00 p.m. The spirit and participation was awesome. Too bad we couldn't participate much but we sensed a deep commitment and dedication to the Lord. I told the congregation that I was looking forward to heaven where, when they si ng in Korean, I will be able to understand and when we sing in English they will also understand us. The church has 7 services each Sunday and each service is close to being full. I was already asked to preach at an English service and to speak to a service for the youth on a Sunday afternoon.

Ann and I have been asked to conduct informal English conversation classes at the university. It'll be a nice opportunity for Ann to also meet people at Kosin University.

Please give our greetings to our brothers and sisters at Heartland. We miss you.


Shalom

Ann and John