Leaving Hurts

This is the last post that we will be writing to America. We are considering blogging to our friends in Korea after we get home.

I feel like Samwise Gamgee. I've come to the end of a grand adventure with my best friend and now I'm torn in two. I'm returning to the Shire, but I'm not the same Hobbit I was when I left. (and thank God for that).

I went to Sarah's going away party today. Many tears were shed. Students, their mothers, and Sarah's co-teacher were all saddened by the fact that we are leaving. Sarah put on a brave face and assured them that we were trying to obey God by returning home like Noah obeyed God by building the Ark. That last sentence was true except the brave face part. She bawled like...well, like she had spent two years with some of the cutest, sweetest, most loving students that anyone could ever ask for. The scene reminded me of more LOTR: "I will not say 'Do not weep', for not all tears are an evil." J.R.R. Tolkien

Next time you see Sarah, ask her about the 56 kids she's carrying around in her heart. My wife is so amazing. I sincerely wish that all of you could have seen her with her class. God has given me such a wonderful wife. I cannot even begin to tell you how proud I am of her. She loves like few that I've ever met. She has such a gift and a grace. I aspire to someday take photographs as well as she teaches and loves her students.

I'm sure we haven't seen the last of the tears. Leaving hurts. You'd think we might have gotten used to it after leaving everyone we knew and loved in Kansas. Now, though, Kansas isn't the only place that holds people we know and love. I thank God for increasing our family, our hearts, our understanding.

Our plane leaves here at 11:40 a.m. Friday.(which is 8:40 p.m. Thursday for Kansas). It lands at around 9:30 a.m. in Chicago then we connect at around 1:00 and land in Kansas City at 2:35 p.m. Friday. Please, pray for our health and safety on our long trip home to you. We cannot wait to see you.

Love,

Micah & Sarah

Last Sunday and Last Sunday

Last Sunday was amazing. Sarah led worship and I played drums. It really seemed as if God was working on people. It was such a great day. You can watch it if you have some free time. Just click on this: http://wonchon.org/broadcast/blue_broadcast_file.html?num=1457 and it should play.

Today was our last Sunday in Korea. We had another wonderful day. After our church service we went to dinner with our Vineyard group. We went to a restaurant that Sarah and I had discovered a few weeks ago. It was really good and it was so much fun to spend time with everyone for one last evening. After dinner, we went to our Vineyard leader's house and had coffee, tea, and cake. (It was a delicious blueberry cake from Paris Baguette)! First, we worshipped for a while and suddenly two large gifts were placed before us. They were beautiful matching hanbok or traditional Korean attire. Everyone had chipped in and Kate picked them out for us. They were the one thing that we had always wished we could get but never did. As you can see in the pictures, they made us try them on right then and there. It was great. Emotions ran high and close to the surface, at times spilling over. Sarah asked how to clean the hanbok and Kate said dry clean. "Go to A+ Cleaners, tell them Kate says, Hi!" The lady that owns A+ is Korean and they know each other! You must see the clothes in person. The pictures don't even come close to doing them justice.

We also found out that Kevin and Kate want to drive us to the airport on Friday. Otherwise, we would have to take a bus for an hour and a half. It's going to be a great way to say goodbye for now. I hope we can convey to you how much we have been blessed by the people here. And I hope that we have been able to let them know as well.

Another Saturday Night

This is our last Saturday in Korea. We spent the day with friends. John, Erin, and Men accompanied us to Seoul. We went to COEX mall and had lunch at On The Border. Before we headed home this evening we had dinner at Butterfinger Pancakes. The food and fellowship was so rich today and for the past two years for that matter.

We're about 80% packed. We have six suitcases and three carry-ons. Some of them are completely packed, but we have a few things left to pack.

We are trying to soak up all the Korea we can, but it's difficult in the midst of such a hectic schedule. Between work and packing, we haven't had much soak time.

Tomorrow we are having a farewell dinner and party with our Podowon. I will be taking pictures and trying not to think of the fact that this is our last Podowon meeting.