We are moving to a new blog address. We will continue updating both of the blogs for a while, but will eventually change over completely to the new one. We are doing this to make our blog and our email address match. The new email address is fishing4menintl@gmail.com The new blog address is http://fishing4menintl.blogspot.com If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.
Derek
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
Three Months in Korea
Wow, it's been three months already. We have taught at two Winter English camps and started our regular school session. We only had six elementary students, one middle school student and one high school student when we started. Now we have seven elementary students with another one starting in April. We have one middle school student and two high school student. We also have 2 other high school students and one parent in an ESL program. All of the high school students and the one parent are planning on going to the US in August. So, the school is growing little by little. We still don't have enough students to pay everyone involved. The Korean teacher was told that they couldn't retain him anymore, but he decided to donate his time to the school and get a job teaching at an institute nearby. He is only going to be teaching two classes in Korean and 2nd grade math. This means that Pamela is moving up to teach 2nd grade. She was already teaching some of the classes, but now she will be teaching them everything except math. The pastor's wife will be teaching Elijah's kindergarten class and watching Elizabeth. She will also teach one class of Korean to our children. This has put more stress on Pamela. She already was under stress, but this has added to it. Please keep her in your prayers. She has several new classes she has to prepare for each day. One good thing though is that the pastor offered to make copies of our curriculum for us, so we don't have to make copies every day. The pastor is now teaching my social studies class and is teaching some of the ESL classes.
With all of the preparation for teaching at the school, we had to give up our extra activities on the weekend. We were spending most of our Saturday's cleaning the house, doing laundry and preparing for our three lessons on Sunday. We know that some of what we were doing on Sunday was very good, but we can't do everything that is good. One thing we learned from our previous church work and especially from our church (Western Hills) is that there are many good things you can do, but you have to focus on what is the best thing you can do. We feel that our family is one of our top priorities and it was suffering from everything we were doing.
We had a good weekend last week. We went to the nearest large city as a family along with the pastor's daughter, Carol, and the other high school student, Brianna. We rode the bus there and went shopping and ate lunch at Kentucky Fried Chicken. It wasn't quite the same as in the states, and it was more expensive than there. We have found a local place that sells fried chicken that we think tastes better and is less expensive. It is called Aloha Chicken. They have a program that for every box of chicken you buy you get a circular magnet to collect. When you get 11 of them the 12th box of chicken is free.
Pray for:
* our wisdom as we teach.
* our wisdom as we make decisions.
* parents to see the need for Christian education.
* more students.
* the school's financial situation.
* our finances. (We still haven't been paid for any of our services.)
* God's direction if we can't remain teaching here because of no salaries being paid. (We don't want to leave Korea, but we can't stay at this school if they can't pay us. We just don't have the ability to live on no income.)
* transition times. (These are many as our schedule at school changes and we have had to adjust our weekend activities.)
With all of the preparation for teaching at the school, we had to give up our extra activities on the weekend. We were spending most of our Saturday's cleaning the house, doing laundry and preparing for our three lessons on Sunday. We know that some of what we were doing on Sunday was very good, but we can't do everything that is good. One thing we learned from our previous church work and especially from our church (Western Hills) is that there are many good things you can do, but you have to focus on what is the best thing you can do. We feel that our family is one of our top priorities and it was suffering from everything we were doing.
We had a good weekend last week. We went to the nearest large city as a family along with the pastor's daughter, Carol, and the other high school student, Brianna. We rode the bus there and went shopping and ate lunch at Kentucky Fried Chicken. It wasn't quite the same as in the states, and it was more expensive than there. We have found a local place that sells fried chicken that we think tastes better and is less expensive. It is called Aloha Chicken. They have a program that for every box of chicken you buy you get a circular magnet to collect. When you get 11 of them the 12th box of chicken is free.
Pray for:
* our wisdom as we teach.
* our wisdom as we make decisions.
* parents to see the need for Christian education.
* more students.
* the school's financial situation.
* our finances. (We still haven't been paid for any of our services.)
* God's direction if we can't remain teaching here because of no salaries being paid. (We don't want to leave Korea, but we can't stay at this school if they can't pay us. We just don't have the ability to live on no income.)
* transition times. (These are many as our schedule at school changes and we have had to adjust our weekend activities.)
Friday, February 22, 2008
Two Months in Korea
Well, it has been over two months since we came to Korea. Time really flies. We have taught at two Winter English Camps and have had two full weeks of school. You can see our Winter English Camp performance on Google video.
The school officially started on February 12th. There are a total of 6 students in the school. Three of those students are our children. So we have three students outside of our family. One of those students will be starting Korean public school beginning in March. His English name is Andrew. He just came back from America and the Korean school said that he should just start when their new school year starts in March. He is a very bright kid. His family is non-christian; His mother is Buddhist and his father has no religion. Please pray that God will continue to work in this family's life.
We have another student signed up that will start in March, so that will leave us with the same number. We have several potential students, but we aren't sure who, if any, will attend. Please pray that God will send more students. We are basically a mission school and church, so we need more students to be able to make this endeavor work. The pastor hasn't had the funds to pay all of the bills and all of the salaries. We haven't had a paycheck since we arrived. The pastor/principal wants to pay us, but he hasn't been able with so few students. God has supplied all of our needs so far and we know he will continue. When we were almost out of money, our car in America sold and helped us to make it another month. When that money was almost gone, our tax refund came through and we have enough to make it for a while longer. Please pray that God will grow this school, and will provide for our finances.
God has been blessing the church with new visitors each week. We have one lady, Gillian, and her two sons that have been attending since before new years. She has no Christian background at all. Everything she knows about the Bible she has learned from movies. Andrew's family has also attended once. Two weeks ago, we had a couple attend. It was the husband's first time at church, and the wife's second time. Last week, we had a lady from New Zealand join us. She is a teacher at a public school nearby.
We have divided the preaching time up into two services. We all sing bilingual songs together then the English speakers and the kids go to another room where I preach in English. We have been doing this for two weeks. The first week, I mainly had children so we did more of a children's service. Last week, we had more of a sermon.
After church, we have lunch with everyone who came. We then have Bible studies starting around 1pm. There are three studies: Korean, English, and Children. I have about 3-4 people in the English Bible study. One of the people is Gillian. We started going through the Gospel of John, but she had no foundation to understand some of the concept so I started last week doing a Bible survey class that gives her a basic overview of the Bible. It went very well and we are continuing it this week. I will start back on the Gospel of John when we are done. Please pray that I will be able to faithfully share the glorious gospel with these people who have little knowledge of what Jesus has done for them.
Serving in Korea,
Derek (for the Woods)
The school officially started on February 12th. There are a total of 6 students in the school. Three of those students are our children. So we have three students outside of our family. One of those students will be starting Korean public school beginning in March. His English name is Andrew. He just came back from America and the Korean school said that he should just start when their new school year starts in March. He is a very bright kid. His family is non-christian; His mother is Buddhist and his father has no religion. Please pray that God will continue to work in this family's life.
We have another student signed up that will start in March, so that will leave us with the same number. We have several potential students, but we aren't sure who, if any, will attend. Please pray that God will send more students. We are basically a mission school and church, so we need more students to be able to make this endeavor work. The pastor hasn't had the funds to pay all of the bills and all of the salaries. We haven't had a paycheck since we arrived. The pastor/principal wants to pay us, but he hasn't been able with so few students. God has supplied all of our needs so far and we know he will continue. When we were almost out of money, our car in America sold and helped us to make it another month. When that money was almost gone, our tax refund came through and we have enough to make it for a while longer. Please pray that God will grow this school, and will provide for our finances.
God has been blessing the church with new visitors each week. We have one lady, Gillian, and her two sons that have been attending since before new years. She has no Christian background at all. Everything she knows about the Bible she has learned from movies. Andrew's family has also attended once. Two weeks ago, we had a couple attend. It was the husband's first time at church, and the wife's second time. Last week, we had a lady from New Zealand join us. She is a teacher at a public school nearby.
We have divided the preaching time up into two services. We all sing bilingual songs together then the English speakers and the kids go to another room where I preach in English. We have been doing this for two weeks. The first week, I mainly had children so we did more of a children's service. Last week, we had more of a sermon.
After church, we have lunch with everyone who came. We then have Bible studies starting around 1pm. There are three studies: Korean, English, and Children. I have about 3-4 people in the English Bible study. One of the people is Gillian. We started going through the Gospel of John, but she had no foundation to understand some of the concept so I started last week doing a Bible survey class that gives her a basic overview of the Bible. It went very well and we are continuing it this week. I will start back on the Gospel of John when we are done. Please pray that I will be able to faithfully share the glorious gospel with these people who have little knowledge of what Jesus has done for them.
Serving in Korea,
Derek (for the Woods)
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Mailing Address and Video locations
For those of you interested in sending us mail, here is our address.
Derek and Pamela Woods
711-1003 Iaan Apt. Kakri Ochang Eup
Cheungwon-Gun, Chungbuk-Do 363-883
Republic of Korea (South Korea)
Also, if you are wanting to keep up with our videos, go to Google video and search for Wood's Korean Adventure. We have several videos posted so far.
Derek and Pamela Woods
711-1003 Iaan Apt. Kakri Ochang Eup
Cheungwon-Gun, Chungbuk-Do 363-883
Republic of Korea (South Korea)
Also, if you are wanting to keep up with our videos, go to Google video and search for Wood's Korean Adventure. We have several videos posted so far.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
One Month
It has been one full month since we arrived in Korea. Wow! Let me say that backwards. Wow! It seems like just yesterday that we were trying to stuff just a little more in our bags to go to the airport. Then again, it feels like we have been here forever. Although everything here still seems new, it is starting to feel more and more familiar. We are starting to actually adjust to living in a new culture. Now don't get me wrong, we feel very much as the outsiders. The people all stop to look at the very white Americans. Last weekend, we went to a shopping center and had several people come and ask to take our pictures (at least, they wanted pictures of the little kids). They think Elizabeth looks just like a baby doll and they think everything Elijah does is cute. It is sometimes very good for the ego to be the center of attention, but there are times that you want to go out into public and just be normal. That is very difficult here. We are enjoying life here and seem to be adjusting pretty well for the most part. I thank God for providing us the principal/pastor we have hear. He and his family have gone way out of their way to make us feel comfortable and make sure we have everything we need. He has even let me preach once on Wednesday night. This Sunday, I will begin having English Bible Study and conversation time at 1:30 in the afternoon. We are hoping that there will be many people to attend these in the future. This will be my evangelistic effort for now, considering I can only say about 20-30 phrases in Korean right now. Please pray that I will apprehend this language quickly, so I will be able to better share Jesus with whoever he puts in my path and heart.
We have finished teaching our first Winter English camp and have another one starting on Monday. It will last for two weeks. We are having to write our own curriculum for these and it is very difficult. It will be much better when we have some curriculum to work with that we just have to create the lesson plan from. Please pray that we will have enough ideas to make these fun and still have the children learning. Also, pray that we will have the words to help these children draw closer to God. Most of them are in Christian homes, but they still need to learn Christian character and submit their whole lives to Jesus. Pray for us as we try to establish a new rhythm and pattern for our family with both of us working. We are trying to re-train the children here so they can help with more of the house chores.
We still have our house on the market to sell. Please pray that God will provide a buyer for it quickly.
We have finished teaching our first Winter English camp and have another one starting on Monday. It will last for two weeks. We are having to write our own curriculum for these and it is very difficult. It will be much better when we have some curriculum to work with that we just have to create the lesson plan from. Please pray that we will have enough ideas to make these fun and still have the children learning. Also, pray that we will have the words to help these children draw closer to God. Most of them are in Christian homes, but they still need to learn Christian character and submit their whole lives to Jesus. Pray for us as we try to establish a new rhythm and pattern for our family with both of us working. We are trying to re-train the children here so they can help with more of the house chores.
We still have our house on the market to sell. Please pray that God will provide a buyer for it quickly.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Let the little children come unto me.
We all have heard this verse before. This is what our prayer is for our school. We ask that God will draw children unto himself through our school and our teaching efforts. We will be starting our first Winter English Camp on Monday. We have several students signed up for the classes and we will have another class in two weeks. Please pray for God to send students for the actual school that will start the first part of March.
This verse also reminds me that we are to be as little children. I definitely feel like a little child. I go out shopping or to order food and can't even communicate what I want. I have to point to pictures and use my fingers to tell them how many. I can only use a few phrases right now. I am learning some each day, but it is slow going. Please pray as we try to learn this new language.
There is another verse that says we should be like a little child as we come to Christ. I pray that you will have the simple faith that he requires. I know that my faith has been tested in this situation, but that God is in control. I remember being a little child and my parents telling me that we were moving to follow God to another pastorate. I never questioned my parents decisions, I just accepted that we were moving. In the same way, we had to follow God when he said to go to Korea. I didn't really question, I just followed. Sometimes, as I look back, I wonder why we were sent to Asia when we had spent so much time working with Hispanics, but I know this is where he wants us to be. We don't always understand God's leading, but we are looking through a glass darkly where he sees perfectly clear.
May the Lord bless and keep you. May his face shine upon you and be gracious and give you peace.
Prayerfully,
Derek (for the Woods)
PS. I have posted another video for you to look at. It is a tour of the school we will be teaching at. I hope you enjoy it. Click Here to see it.
This verse also reminds me that we are to be as little children. I definitely feel like a little child. I go out shopping or to order food and can't even communicate what I want. I have to point to pictures and use my fingers to tell them how many. I can only use a few phrases right now. I am learning some each day, but it is slow going. Please pray as we try to learn this new language.
There is another verse that says we should be like a little child as we come to Christ. I pray that you will have the simple faith that he requires. I know that my faith has been tested in this situation, but that God is in control. I remember being a little child and my parents telling me that we were moving to follow God to another pastorate. I never questioned my parents decisions, I just accepted that we were moving. In the same way, we had to follow God when he said to go to Korea. I didn't really question, I just followed. Sometimes, as I look back, I wonder why we were sent to Asia when we had spent so much time working with Hispanics, but I know this is where he wants us to be. We don't always understand God's leading, but we are looking through a glass darkly where he sees perfectly clear.
May the Lord bless and keep you. May his face shine upon you and be gracious and give you peace.
Prayerfully,
Derek (for the Woods)
PS. I have posted another video for you to look at. It is a tour of the school we will be teaching at. I hope you enjoy it. Click Here to see it.
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