Week 38: “Seoul-ar” New Year 2009 – Year of the Ox, Baby!

It’s my year…gonna be a good one! 🙂 Snowed in Seoul-not common. Everything on my “checklist” was accomplished and it was the first stress free time I’ve had in Seoul (and I often frequent this capital city).

Woke up Sabbath morn’ to a snowy Seoul!

Natural Self caught on camera. A miracle-no posing!

Tina, my Aussie church sister, hosted me during Seollar New Year weekend. Tina is an excellent host; don’t worry, I took notes for when it’s your turn ;).

When Sabbath ended, Tina’s Korean friends and I headed to the ice rink! The trek to the subway station alone was freezing, esp. with strong wind gusts.  Seoul ice skating rink just off the City Hall subway exit.

Skiing was a good experience, but gotta admit that I prefer ice-skating. The cold is manageable, and I can ice-skate at this rink 60 times for the same price of skiing for one day. Plus, ice skating is romantic…so of course I’d be a sucker, right? Being that I froze when I first got on the ice, having dudes grab my hand and then drag me along on the ice while they did all the work was nice. keke :-O

This is my “southern comfort” right here: $17 for a bean and cheese burrito. Yo they just don’t have burritos in Ktown (aka Korea). Sorry but Taco Bell Bean and Cheese still does the trick for me. Plus it’s a buck…but whatever…these days I’m missing mom’s home cooking and am spending increasing amounts of Korean Won to get a taste of home. Mom–when I come home–get ready. I’mma kill it all: scalloped potatoes, mushroom gravy on top of toast, potato pancakes, strawberry shortcake, blueberry muffins, REAL cheesecake none of this imitation wannabe “NY cheesecake” (OK…I’ll buy that from ‘Juniors’ restaurant in NYC not at home), homemade Spaghetti…dude, stop me now. lolz.  MUCH LOVE. I’m Out. ❤ Phoebe*

Week 35: Kenya Mission Trip

Since middle school I wanted to serve in Africa. A 3rd world doctor’s story touched me deeply; people walked miles and miles to see the doctor and one woman attempted to pay the doctor with her most valuable possession, a family heirloom. The deep appreciation and humility the woman demonstrated converted my childhood dream of ‘becoming a doctor’ to ‘being a doctor in a third world country.’

I followed that dream through Pre-med my freshman year of college. After a school year of struggle and summer to figure things out and pray, the result became clear: I did not know what I would become, but more than ever I knew I was to serve. The appeal of serving in 3rd world Africa was still present, but the woman I’ve always turned to for support–my mom–laughed and said, “they don’t need psychologists in Africa, Phoebe, they need doctors!” Burn. My course of study changed, but my dreams did not.

Attending this mission trip to Africa and being elected ‘speaker’ gave me great responsibility, as much as it did flexibility. My previous opportunity of being an HIV prevention and health educator that crumpled beneath my feet was now solid. The stress from dozens of sheets of paper to study, presentations to compile, and worries of my messages being accepted melted away once I was in front of the 100+ crowds of Kenyans eager to hear the message. Praise the LORD and thanks for all your prayers and (for non-religious or Christians friends) well-wishes.

Check out the flix on (mainly) the mission trip folder of my webshots photo page:

http://community.webshots.com/user/phoebes_flix

The schedule

Morning- Vacation Bible School (VBS)

Noon- Door to door evangalism (meaning health clinic)

Night- Health Seminar

My role/ responsibility

Speaker

There was so much prep work to make the health presentations I felt like a student again and marvelled in awe by the fact that I wrote in 1 month wrote 2 theses totalling 50 pages, with little to no sleep. I balanced my FT job, prep for VBS children stories and health seminars. The scripture, “God will not test you beyond your strengths” or something to that affect was comforting. The schedule of programs I made:

Day 1

1.For God so loved the World He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him would not perish but have everlasting life. -John 3:16

VBS: Christmas

Health Seminar: Malaria

 

 

Day 2

2. Do unto others as you shall have them do unto you (The Golden Rule). -Luke 6:31

VBS: Daniel and the Lions Den

Health Seminar: Hand Washing

 

 

Day 3

3. I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. -Philippians 4:11

VBS: Personal story of (not) becoming a doctor.

Health Seminar: Tuberculosis

 

 

Day 4

4. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. -Psalms 119:105

VBS: David and Goliath

Health Seminar: HIV/AIDS, Teeth brushing

 

 

Day 5

5. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. -Matthew 22:39 b

VBS: The Good Samaritan.

Health Seminar: Asthma

 

Day 6

6. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. -Philippians 4:13

VBS: Noah’s Ark

~Love story about believing in each other. Q. How do we change the world?

A: One Act of Random Kindness at a time. (Video clips: ch.6-after congress to “one ARK @ time.’ / ch. 15 To everyone running on ARK. / rewind from ch. 18 to “God” under three talking to Evan.)