4.27.2011

Jungang Park & Easter Sunday

Hello everyone!  As I started to write this blog entry, I couldn't for the life of me remember what I did last week!  I didn't take any pictures, and I'm pretty sure I just went straight home after work each night, threw on my nightie, ate dinner while checking my e-mail/chatting/skyping, and went to bed...although I can't be sure...haha.

I do however remember my wonderful weekend :-)

On Saturday morning I met my friend Jee Eun and went to Jungang Park (central park) in Bundang.  Jungang Park has a lot of cherry blossoms and I wanted to get a little more quality time in with them before they were whisked quietly away.  We got coffee, a muffin, and a sandwich so that we could have a mini-picnic in the park and enjoy the beautiful weather.  



Just a hop, skip, and a jump to bliss in the park~

Jee Eun & I





Our little piece of heaven in the park :-)



It was so relaxing, and we discovered that Jungang Park is actually quite large.  We walked the length of the park and stumbled upon a memorial that was built to symbolize the joining of nations between Korea and China.





Can you find me? ^.^

We also found a cotton candy cart. :-)






We were trying to get him to look at the camera, hehe




On Easter Sunday I attended Briza's church because she had come to mine last week.  She goes to Onnuri Church, which is a large English church in Seobbingo, another part of Seoul.  It was a wonderful service in which the sermon was focused around forgiveness, however, the pastor had just returned from an orphanage in Thailand and he shared with us his experiences there.  The orphanage takes in children who have been trafficked or abandoned by their families.  The woman who runs the orphanage is not a Christian, but she told the pastor that many Christian groups had expressed a desire to help her and the children, but that none of them had followed through on their promises...the pastor and his group were the first ones who had actually come to aid them.

"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." Philippians 2:3-4


He also shared with us that when this orphanage, and others like it, are full, there are not many options for the rest of the children on the streets.  There are Buddhist temples which take in children as well, however, they all have caps too.  The only places that never refuse children are the Islamic mosques.  They have a policy in which funds will be moved internationally in order to make room for children in need. He expressed the great sorrow he felt upon hearing this news and the realization that the Christian church, being far more numerous, and far richer, is not as connected and networked in order to work together and serve in these areas.   This broke my heart...

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." Ephesians 2:10

I have been considering serving overseas with an NGO or mission team after my contract ends.  Even if I don't do more work overseas, I would love to work for an international NGO in the states. I need to do some more research, save money, and spend more time in prayer, but I know many of us want to contribute somehow or help in some way; however, it seems so distant and out of reach.  I will hopefully attend a conference/training that is being held in June to learn more about the Not For Sale organization and how to become involved.  This organization's goal is to re-abolish modern day slavery and trafficking, primarily of children. If anyone has experience working with YWAM, Not For Sale, or other international nonprofit, I would appreciate your insight and advice. 


"...The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest." -Matthew 9:37-38

After church, Briza and I went to Myeongdong and had dinner at an Indian restaurant.  Every time I see an Indian restaurant now I really take advantage of it, I am always craving Indian food!  I think I need to visit India soon... =) 

Briza bought some traditional Korean candy called "Kkultarae" or "dragon's mustache" for us to share.  I've had it before, and you can usually find little carts selling it and they give a little demonstration showing you how they make it.  They stretch a solid rock mixture of 80% honey into 16000 fine strands by rolling it in cornstarch. Aterwards, they wrap the strands around a nut mixture of your choice. I forgot to take a video of that process, but I did take a video of us eating it!  haha =P

Kkultarae, court cakes





"lassi" - a traditional Indian yogurt drink


One of the cheerful demonstrators =)

You can have it made with peanut, almond, or chocolate filling

Chanting in Korean and in English for our benefit~

I'm really busy at work this work finishing end of the month report cards and behavior points.  I'm starting to get a sore throat so I need to hit the hay early the rest of the week so I'm tip top for a mini road trip this weekend with SaeRom and Eunice! =D

friends and family, I miss you <3


And...that's it for now!



 With love, Miss Jones