Pusan!

Monday am...left for the train station packed for a few days in Pusan!!

Soooooo fun!  Great time with Pastor Oh, Soo Jung, Joy (6), Grace (4) and Haim (3).  The train went up to 310 km/hr so we arrived in just under 3 hrs.  We had to go straight to the beach and get our feet in.  It was cold, but so fun to be at the Pacific Ocean!  

For 2 full days we played at the beach.  The rainy season is officially over and now it is time for HEAT and humidity.  At the beach they put up thousands of umbrellas on the beach and then you rent one with a mat or with lounge chairs with towels on them.  We camped out all day while vendors constantly walked by with iced coffees, popsicles, chicken, red bean ice cream, corn on the cob, etc.   We for sure took advantage of their services--popsicles especially came in handy to cool down for a moment. 

 The water was also great for cooling off. It only took a minute to get used to it and it was so refreshing.  All the kiddos had tubs and they rented some addition ones for us big kids too.  We played a lot with the kids and rode the waves. 

David enjoyed the water too. Running back and forth in the waves and playing in the sand (and a tiny bit of eating the sand--who can blame the guy).   He also had the ability to win over every Korean there.  Many times daily he would be suddenly surrounded by several Koreans, touching his cheeks, trying to shake his hand, using every english word they knew.  I am fairly certain that he will show up in photo albums around the country :)  He plays along too--his favorite seem to be waitresses--waving to them from across the room.  He is quite famous!

The best part about the time was the fellowship that we were able to have with everyone.  Pastor Oh and Soo Jung are fun parents and we were able to play a lot with the kids--they knew english animal names and would shout them out for us to act out and they would teach us random korean words...including some that we used before finding out their meaning--typical preschool humor :)  We will miss their family as they have become friends.  

swim caps and cuttlefish ink

After 2 weeks of the course, we went away for the night to a resort in the mountains.  It was so beautiful--so green and so nice to be away from the city.  We had not ventured out much yet at this point from the church and so it was so refreshing!  Pastor Oh, Soo Jung, and Haim (just turned 3) took us along with our interpreter, Soo Jin.  We ate well once again, and had our first experience of a more traditional Koren bedroom--no beds.  They provide cushions and a comforter and there you go!  We also were introduced to the Korean way of swimming in a pool...CAPS ON!  Ah yes, Matt, Laura and I got to sport an attractive swim cap while enjoying the pool!  Unfortunately, no pics to document :)  

Meals have continued to bring new experiences for us (although I must admit that we have now found TGI Fridays here!).  One very enjoyable one was when one of the elders of the church brought us to the US Army base here in Seoul where her husband works for a brunch.  The Lord knew we were in need of some home cooking :) I have never eaten so well--eggs benedict, strawberry & whipped cream waffles, made to order omelets, amazing fruit, potatoes, prime rib, homemade peach ice cream... (yes, I ate all of these!!) plus so much more that I didn't have room for. 

A few other things that we have now grown accustomed to include eel, which surprisingly, I really enjoy.  We also have had a few dishes with cuttlefish ink--both in pasta (makes it black and stains your mouth) and in fried mozzarella balls.  Not bad :)  

The last week of the course went very well.  It is amazing how quickly it came.  It felt like the end of a marathon when you have to press through a bit to the finish line, but it was so encouraging to see where everyone had come to.  On the last Thursday, they were able to create some prayer teams for their recovery ministry service--they were walking in all the things that we had taught them during the weeks!  What a sweet victory :)  The last day, we had a party for the class to celebrate all the Lord had done in and through them.  For those who have been around Koreans, you know there is no escaping the blessing song...puppy-dog eyes and outstretched arms towards you with a song of thanks.  We then sang one in return that Matt had written for the occasion..."konsamida (thank you), komsamida, kom sami-sami-sami-sami-samida".  For a live rendition, please ask Matt to share when you see him--I am sure he will thank me :)