Korean Hospitality

Somehow I always had the idea that Southern hospitality was the hallmark for all who seek to welcome "strangers and sojourners" along the ways of life -- you know, Hebrews 13:2-styled hospitality. But after two weeks in here at Handong, I think the new standard is Korean! Not only was I treated to a delightful luncheon at a seaside Chinese restaurant this past Thursday with my colleagues from the School of Law, I was also invited, along with the other new international faculty to a lavish five-course dinner Friday evening. That's most of us in the picture above.

The dinner was hosted by the staff of the Handong International Church. That's Pastor Young Hwang (who is also a theology prof at the Univ) and his wife on the left, next to them is Kim (who is a first year law student at HILS) and her husband, Dave Becket, the associate pastor at HIC; then Prof. Harry Jee, my new friend from King's College in NYC; across the table is Pat & Kathy Talbot (Pat is a prof at HILS), to their left is Debi van Duin, new faculty in the Department of Language Education (DLE) and then yours truly. The kind soul who took the photo was Dr. Wilhelm Holzapfel. He's from Germany by way of South Africa and has been teaching life sciences at Handong for 2 1/2 years.

Wilhelm is a wonderful brother who I asked to tutor me in German while I'm here, so that I can make some progress on my PhD studies and maybe even be able to read Bonhoeffer in the language in which he wrote before the year is out! We'll see. Keep praying for me. By the way, Pastor Hwang has asked to consider teaching some theology classes next semester.

Meet Mr. Mok

Earlier this week, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that each professor on the faculty of the School of Law at Handong is entitled to hire a teaching assistant (a "TA" -- remember the fondness for acronyms!). So, I was encouraged by the law school staff to announce to my students that I would be taking applications for a TA. I did, and within moments after my very first class, two eager students approached me and expressed their interest in the job.

I interviewed both a day later and, again to my surprise, found that one of my applicants had both excellent English language skills and experience as a TA for one of the other professors on the law school faculty -- he already knew all of the ropes! Little did I suspect, though, that the scope of duties for a TA here at Handong included not only assistance in making copies of handouts for class and grading papers (like a typical TA in the States) but also helping me arrange and decorate my office, making my morning tea, going shopping for me, providing me a ride into town when needed, helping me obtain a mobile phone, and at the end of every day, even cleaning my office!

I had been told by my good friend Dr. John Han that I would be treated like royalty here, but I never imagined that it would entail having my own personal assistant, chauffeur and butler all rolled into one! But that just what my TA is. So, let me introduce to you, Mr. Younghoon Mok. He is a senior here at Handong majoring in both U.S. & International Law (UIL) and International Relations. He studied for six years in New York and Maryland where he went to Middle School and High School graduating from St. Paul's in Brookandville, Maryland in 2002. (Interestingly, I graduated from St. Paul's [no relation, though] in Concordia, Missouri -- but that was in 1977).

Mr. Mok's English skills are outstanding! He's an absolute whiz on the computer, and he's already started to decorated my office with a nice little plant! The other law school professors have stopped by to say what a good choice I've made. They all know Younghoon as both an excellent student in the UIL program and as an exceptional TA who served one of the senior members of the faculty this past year. I see him as just another one of God's gracious provisions for me here. I am continually amazed by the ways that God encourages us as we seek, by His grace alone, to serve His purpose in this our generation.

I know without a doubt that I've never yet been in a teaching post where I have been so encouraged and supported as I am here teaching at Handong. Its truly wonderful to be enabled to do what you believe you have been designed and equipped by God's call to do -- to serve others according to His will and purpose, day-by-day, step-by-step.

May we be both attentive and obedient to His call today!

Now I'm Officially an Alien

Well, there it is. I'm officially a documented and registered alien here in the Republic of Korea. After several of us new faculty picked up our registration cards at the Immigration Office, we were then driven by Ms. Iris Kim, from the University's International Affairs Office, to Good Samaritan Hospital where we all underwent the routine medical exam which we were told would only take 20 minutes -- that's 20 minutes for each of the six of us -- so we ended up spending the next two hours walking about the hospital from department to department -- blood pressure, EKG, eye exam, hearing exam, dental exam, chest X-ray, blood and urine tests.

They are very thorough. They even checked my blood pressure three times since on the first two attempts my reading was a bit on the high side -- 157/82 at first. The nurse thought I might have had too big of a breakfast (I'd made myself two eggs fried, bacon and toast -- a good Western breakfast, right?) On the third try, I was down in the 120's/80's range. The nurse looked at me and said, "OK, you pass."

After completing our medical exams, we had planned to go by the local bank and open account, but several of my colleagues had to get back for departmental meetings. Those of us who need to do our banking will be heading back to town tomorrow morning. On the whole, it was a nice little outing. Prof. Harry Jee was along again, and three new English language faculty from Canada -- a couple, George and Nancy, and Debi van Duin, all from Winnipeg.

This morning at our first faculty chapel, I was warmly greeted by a dear older sister, Gayle Henrotte, from San Francisco. She is such an encouraging soul -- she could be Helen Horn's twin sister! Pastor Young Hwang preached a challenging message from James 1:5-8 and reminded us that wisdom comes only from God, not through the intellectual capabilities of humans. Handong is a place of learning, yes, but even more important is gaining the wisdom of God for living responsibly in the here and now!

The service concluded with an extended time of intercessory prayer and the hearty singing of "More Love For Thee." What a way to start a day! Each day I'm encouraged by the vitality of life here. I'm experiencing in deeper ways the reality of life together under the Word.

Hopalong -- my new Korean name ;-)

I'm walking with a bit of limp these past few days. At first, I thought it might be a shin splint. I'm doing an awful lot of walking -- more than I'm used to, I think. I do enjoy walking, but all I'm doing these days is walking and climbing steps -- lots of them. So, I've been experiencing this throbbing pain in the lower part of my left leg.

I've also been experiencing a bit of swelling in the area. I have been icing it up each evening and elevating it, but the pain is still persisting. This makes the fourth day. I've also started to wear my tennis shoes all the time, thinking that my hard-soled shoes (even though they are Ecco's) may also be contributing to the pain production.

Now, one of my colleagues has suggested that I may have developed a thrombosis. So, I'm taking some extra aspirin (per Sandy's recommendation in her most recent email to me) and I'll be going to see the doctor tomorrow morning -- I'm due to have the regular medical exam that all new international faculty are given in any case, so I'm hoping the doctor will be able to diagnose my pain's origin and provide the needed treatment.

Its good to walk with a limp, though. Jacob did after that late night wrestling match of his. And, I think Paul may have even walked with sort of a limp (whatever that "thorn in the flesh" might have been). So, when we have a limp, we're in good company. Limps remind us that we are always in need of support beyond ourselves -- that we need the grace of Christ for each step. I was reminded of this foundational truth in one of my recent quite time readings:

We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:7

At our best, we are but jars of clay. And in most cases, those jars are marred by cracks. He alone restores and equips us for His purpose in each day! By grace we are saved! So, go ahead, just call me "Hopalong" -- I think it may become my new Korean name.

After Months of Prep - My First Day of Teaching

The day has finally arrived! My first class at Handong -- U. S. Business Law & Management. Thirty-two students (make that 33, when a young man decided to register today) -- from all regions of Korea, yes -- but also from Mongolia, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, South Africa, England, Haiti and even -- would you believe -- Minnesota! It is truly amazing to be given the opportunity to teach such a diverse group of students -- to be apart of the world community!

Today's class didn't begin until 4:45pm, so I had the entire day to work in my office; preparing my course syllabus, lecture notes and outline. And even though I have been working on my class preparation for over a week, I still managed to make a mathematical error in calculating the total points from the case studies, unit exams and final examination that I've planned for the course. It's good, though, to admit such a basic mistake the first day to demonstrate that I'm just a regular guy -- or at least that's what I tell myself.

Another wondrous thing about teaching here at Handong is the fact that the university encourages the faculty to not only think about the impact of our Christian faith on the subjects we teach, but also to practice our faith before our students. So, I explained to the class that it would be my practice to begin each session with a prayer since in praying we acknowledge that God exists and we admit that we need Him. And then, we prayed together and sought God's blessing and direction in our learning.

After covering the course syllabus and an overview of the class topics, I concluded the class with a brief account of my own law school experiences. I had written about them some years ago, and I thought it might be a good way to introduce myself to my fellow law students. Here's what I read to them:

The Three Longest Years

In the summer of 1983, I was looking ahead to three years of law school. If what I had read in Scott Turow’s book One L, and what I had seen portrayed by John Houseman in the film The Paper Chase, was right, I was on the threshold of three of the most difficult and challenging years – the three longest years – of my life. I had come to law school at Saint Louis University married and with three small children, yet still convinced that I was heeding God’s call. Succeeding was not my first concern; survival would be sufficient. I found assurance in the story of Daniel and his companions who were forced by their captors to study for three years in Babylon, but were preserved by God and through his strength stood firm in faith. (Daniel 1)



Saint Louis University School of Law

The first year started well enough. My journal entries for those early months in the fall of ’83 contain scattered references to “opportunities to speak to others about the things of God,” “speaking at length to a 3d year student who is a Mormon” and even a few brief accounts of Bible studies with fellow law students. But, by the middle of the spring term, the journal read “preoccupied with school work and job projects . . . so no regular personal quite time.” Though I had begun my studies as a believer seeking to practice the discipline of daily devotions, the demands of law school had steadily pushed Bible reading and prayer time out of my daily routine. I started thinking less about God and more about me.

I had succumbed to the first year of law school. It had indeed “scared me to death,” and as I entered the second year, I was well on my way to being “worked to death.” My journal attests to this since I had completely left-off all entries by the summer of ’84. Although I had been convinced that the Lord was leading me to law school, I was no longer looking to Him to lead me through it. I began pursuing my own personal interests rather than seeking my family’s best interests. When interviews came around for summer internships, I signed-up with the big firms in hopes of landing a select position. Clerking for one of the largest firms in St. Louis that summer, I was lured all the more into aspiring to a life of affluence. Unlike my hero Daniel in Babylon, I began to dine at the king’s table.

My third year experience was true to form. I was, for the most part, “bored to death.” I had a prize offer to join the firm with whom I had done my internship. They even agreed to fore go the ordinary rotation through their other practice areas and allowed me to plan on moving right into litigation. I was set. What I had forgotten, though, was how I had come to succeed when at first my thought had only been of survival. I was reminded through failure. I failed to win the trial advocacy competition and I failed to attain the final class rank for which I had been striving. Through those failures, the Lord called me back to him and gave me a renewed sense of his grace and of my need for constant dependence upon him. He alone had given me the grace and knowledge to succeed through my three longest years.

To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. ~ Daniel 1:17

After class, several students stayed behind and expressed their appreciation. Two even wanted to work as my teaching assistant. On the whole, though, this first day of class has been a challenged. I'm truly exhausted, physically (from all the walking across campus and climbing of stairs -- did I tell you that my class is in a different building than my office?) as well as emotionally. I would greatly value your continued prayers for God's grace and strength through each day.

Welcomed into a Worshipping Community

This morning, I was warmly welcomed -- along with other new faculty and students -- into the worshipping community of Handong International Church or "HIC" -- (I'm finding that the folks here really like using acronyms). I thought this was quite appropriate for a feller from Fenton -- I fit in well with the HIC's. (My apologies to my family, friends and neighbors in Fenton).

The service is conducted entirely in English. We sang worship songs that are well-known among American evangelical churches, like "Your Name is a Strong and Mighty Tower" and "Blessed Be the Name of the Lord".

Following the time of singing, the worship leader invited the congregation to gather around those of us -- students and faculty, alike -- who were new to the fellowship (He had asked us to stand). The members of the congregation then prayed for God's blessing upon our time of teaching and learning at Handong. It was a very warm and heart-felt expression of love and welcome!

Pastor Young preached a message from 1 Samuel 2 on the life of Eli. It was an insightful and challenging sermon that called upon us all to examine ourselves and to see whether we are just living outwardly religious lives -- like Eli -- but with the hears of our soul dull to the transformative power of the Word of God.

He spoke from his heart and called upon the congregation to pray for God's mercy. Since Eli's only hope was in the God's promise that "I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind." (1 Samuel 2:35), so also our only hope is in God Himself -- the Lord Jesus.

He alone has the ability to save us and enable us to live authentic lives even though we are sinners, because He in His mercy forgives and grant us a new heart and renews our spirit in Him!

Following the service, I had the opportunity to meet and begin to get to know several more students from the States -- many from La Tourneau University in Longview, Texas -- as well as new colleagues on the undergraduate faculty. I was also encouraged to see and visit briefly again with Prof. Harry Jee who I had met this past week on the trip to the Immigration Office.

This evening, the church has invited all the new students and faculty to a fellowship dinner. In the photo above, Assistant Pastor Dave Becket is encouraging everyone to come and calling for a show of hands so that they will be sure to have plenty of food. Evidently, eating together is a regular practice of this local church. I thought for sure I would be losing some weight during my first few months living alone here, but now, I'm beginning to think I -- like the ravens -- will be well supplied by my heavenly Father.