Korea - Dated: 2007.7.01 (06/30/2007 US)

Dear friends and family!

Hello from Korea! I’m very glad I decided to come and teach English and Bible here for this summer. Even though I’ve been here less than a week, it’s already been a great experience - one that makes me excited for the rest of my two-month mission trip.

Already I’m impressed with Korea and its people. The country is beautiful here. It’s monsoon season right now, and it’s drizzling daily. I went out and bought an umbrella for 5000 won (about $5 USD) at a local stationary store. A recently-made friend and I were trying to figure out what was different from back home as we were riding the subway to a local shopping center when it hit us – there is no graffiti anywhere. None! We’re in Seoul, the capital of Korea, on the public transportation system, and everything is in perfect condition! There’s not even litter on the ground as you walk around the streets. Everyone takes care of their city, their country, their home. What a jarring and saddening contrast between here and the states.

The people here are wonderful. What I’ve learned about the country and its culture is that there is little crime here because everyone is too busy studying to get into trouble – no idle time. Everything is fast paced. This is one reason the SDA Language Institutes are doing so well. Students are flocking to come to “SDA” to learn English, and our institutes are the top English schools in the country. This gives us great opportunity to not only teach English, but also model and talk about the love of God, which to many is a completely foreign idea. It’s great to know that I can use something as simple as my first language to help influence others to follow Him and give me the clout to tell them about His love.

Orientation for the new, in-coming teachers has just ended. There are about fifty of us “newbies” here from all over the US and the world. I’ve been able to make a few good friends that I plan to keep in contact with during the term. I think I’ll see them again during the upcoming Bible Camp in two weeks.

Last night, during the last worship of orientation, they gave out our assignments. I don’t think I’ve ever felt that anxious over anything in my life. We were all sitting there in the chapel, all nervous and hanging on every word the director spoke. It was almost as if they were going to hand out a million dollars, and my name could be drawn for it. Now the anticipation has subsided, because I’m going to ** (drum roll please) ** “Mokdong,” which is within Seoul, about an hour trip away from the SDA Samyook campus and institute.

It’s 9:00am (5pm US – one day ahead) and I’m about to be picked up by my supervisor from Mokdong. I’m excited, I have my bags packed again, and I’m pecking away on my laptop trying to finish this letter so I can let you all know what my trip has been like so far. I’ll write again in a week or as soon as I can. May that God that sustains, guides, and loves us both give us wisdom and peace for the work we have ahead of us.

Blessings!

sincerely,
branden stoltz