South Korea English Camp 2008

24 days 40 American teachers 100+ Korean Volunteers

First six days at Korea, we spent our days and nights at GVCS (Global Vision Christian School) preparing for the two weeks of teach English. We did lesson plans and class props for countless hours because we do not know what else we should or could be doing. We would start working from 9 in the morning until 10 at night for six days. What or how we did that I have no idea.

For the next nine days, four of us from the GVCS traveled to a local church in Kimpo. Four of us stayed with a family from the church. They took care of us as if we are part of their family. Their love and hospitality are truly amazing! Anyways we arrived on Saturday night and had Sunday to prepared and relaxed for the English camp on Monday.

First day of camp was pretty hectic as we try to get to know our kids, figure out what we are suppose to do, and try to communicate with everyone else; however, as hectic as it was, I had an awesome time bonding with the kids because the kids just need some loving, so I allowed them to climb and jump on me and have a good time. Toward the end of the camp, we had the opportunity to simply spend time with our kids. The original plan was to do rolling paper (pass around papers that have people's name on it and write comments to them) then gift exchange (kids prepared gifts for the teacher and the church provided gifts for the kids) while eating snacks and finish off with sharing time in the dark with candles. However, I did things a bit differently because I made some gifts for my kids, and I washed their feet. At the end of the night while the kids got the opportunity to share their thoughts, all of the kids thanked me for being their teacher, apologized for not being a good student, and began to cry. It was a really an emotional moment.

The day after the church English camp was a Sunday. Three of my kids showed up for Sunday service. It was really a blessing to see them at church because the majority of the kids that came to camp does not go to church and could not afford it so the church funded the camp for the majority of the camp. As we about to leave the church, I took one of my kids aside and encourage her to stay strong and to let her know she is loved. She is only 12 years old, and she has to care for her two little siblings. One of her sibling is a few years younger than her, and the other one is about 3 years old. My heart breaks for her because at such a young age she had to take up the mother role to care for two kids. I gave her a few dollars to spend on herself because I know she is always looking out for the family, and she most likely do not get to spend money on herself. As I gave her the money, her facial expression was indescribably priceless!

After leaving the church on Sunday, we went to another county to teach English. By this time the majority of our team is really to be done with the camps because the lack of organization and leadership makes it extremely hard for us. We were lucky enough to have a group of great and fun volunteers with us that helped us get through the week!

Now that I am back home, I am planning to be involved with Pipeline, kids ministry at Sandals Church, and take Korean classes. I really hope to go back to Korea next year to see my kids and the friends I made! Thank you very much everyone! I just have to say one more thing. The reason why I did the things I did in Korea is because God had people poured love into my life, and I do not want that love to end with me!

Kimpo Church Camp

My adorable and lovable class of kids and volunteers!
New Jersey Class!!!!

English teachers with the host jib-sah-nim

English teacher with awesome translator

Talented choir teacher!

New Jersey volunteers

Swim day! Memorable day~~

That's right I'm a gangster!

Two of my favorite kids! Sally & Tammy~

Jessica, Soo, Kate, Jenny
Sally, Tammy
Amy, Sera

Jessica, Soo, Jenny

Dan, Jack, Sera, Thomas

After Thoughts for South Korea

Thank you so much for your prayers and supports! God had been really good to me! The fears that I had for the trip all came true: tough group dynamic (people coming from all different backgrounds), disorganized, cannot teach English, and the purpose of this trip. Even though my fears came true, God had turned these fears around and blessed me for going to South Korea.

Our group dynamic fluctuate a lot from 10 people to 30 plus because we had 17 camps and different Korean volunteers for each camp. I was placed at a church camp one of the two week teaching experience that had the least amount of staffs and kids, so I was able to really work close with teammates and get to know the kids.

Before going to Korea, I can somewhat tell that this might be a bit disorganized, but I guess this is where one of my strength, adaptability, comes through for me. We spent a lot of time wondering what we will or should be doing, and it does not help when the staffs are in the same boat as we are. Though the disorganization, I was able to see those who has a servant's heart.

I never thought that I would be an English teacher because my English is not one of my strengths, but God used me to reflect the love that He poured into me. It makes up for the lack of experience as a teacher and language. I was able to love upon a class of kids that I taught.

I know the purpose of this trip is to teach English, but I think the purpose behind all trips, besides vacation, are to bless, love, and encourage the local staffs, so they may make an impact on their community because the real mission field are where you live and not where you are. I was able to really do all these thing for the Gimpo church that I went to.

I'm On The Road Again!

It's been three months since I last posted, but like the title states I'm on the road again! I am traveling to South Korea through GVCS, Global Vision Christian School. It is a private Christian boarding school that provides people from the states the opportunities to teach English. That is right I am going to Korea to teach English to elementary school age kids.

This trip will definitely be a learning and growing experience because teaching English is a ministry that I have been involved with before. As much as I do not want to think about what this trip will be like, I cant help to think about how this trip will be different from Finland and how it can not be compared to Finland. Rather than thinking about how this trip can not be compared with Finland, I am trying to be excited to see what He will have me learn on this trip.

During my last trip I learned a lot of who I am and what I would like to do. I know He is going teach and reveal something else to me because it is He that provided me this opportunity to go on another trip. After I came back from Finland, I know that worldwide trips are something I want to do, but having gone to a trip already, I know it would be extremely difficult for me to go on another trip because I barely met the needs for the trip. This trip came sudden and all expense of the trip was paid by the school.

Please keep me in your prayer as we leave on July 20th for 24 days and return on August 12th.

SWW - Finland

There are so many things to write and share about our trip, so I am going to list some of the struggles and excitements!

• Team Struggles:
• Culture difference
• A really reserved culture
  
• Like to think and keep thoughts to themselves
  
• Finding what or how we serve best for the team (strength)
• Discouragement and regrets
• Not passing out a flier or share with a particular person
• Was not able to see the fruits of our labor
• Team Excitements:
• Seeing our prayers being answered in front of our eyes
• Wanting a second chance to interact with particular person
• Wanting to share our stories
• Strength and endurance to do what we do
• Knowing that we have planted the seeds
• Opening opportunities for conversation for Mikko and Heidi
• Fellowshipping and encouraging local brothers and sisters
• Like what the Bible said we are one body in Christ
• We were able to interact on a more personal level than other Finnish people
• Meeting and talking to Finnish people
• Experiencing Finnish culture aka sauna
• This is a place where Finnish people actually talk to each other
• We are completely REAL with each other (totally naked)
• My Struggles:
• Lost my passport in Finland on the first day
• Difference in personality and thoughts on the team
  
• Seeing who I am
• Not knowing how to react to issues or struggles
• Isolating myself when I am troubled by issues and thoughts because I do not want to cause a commotion or an issue
• A bit over sensitive or concern for others
• My Excitements:
• Someone turned in my passport to lost and found
• Seeing how much people have grown in a short period of time
• Stepped out in faith and share my story
• Learned about leadership from Sarah
• Found joy in things I do
  
• Able to serve and spend time with awesome people
• Able to encourage, bless, and push people
• Knowing we are part of the foundation of what God is going to do at Finland
• We are ONE body and family in Christ no matter where we go!

If you would like to know more detailed story, please let me know because I would like share with you over a cup of tea or a meal! =D

After Thoughts for Finland

Moi! The experiences with Sandals WorldWide to Finland was extraordinary! There are much to say about my experience in Finland, but there are only so many words that can be said. But one thing I have to say is that this whole journey to Finland: raising funds, preparing for the trip, serving together, and blessing the Sivonens and Finland community is something I would want to do and repeat for the rest of my life! It is not because what I can do, but this is who God made me. I want to be a Servant for Christ to bless others. It is funny how I am saying that right now because I always had the most difficult time answering people what I want to do or be. What this will really look like, I do not know because I am an open book waiting for God to fill the pages~