MEF-ASE Conference Busan, S Korea 10-28-12

October 29, 2012
Our final full day of conferencing is done and we have concluded we will set another date, time and place four years hence if the Lord tarries. Our preliminary conclusion about our future is that we will continue as long as the first generation ASE leaders stay active in their ministries. We were also highly encouraged by the quality of second generation leaders attending the conference. The day (Sunday) included teams of 2 going to churches where Rev Yoo as friends ministering, including morning and afternoon services. One man preached and the other shared their personal testimony (with interpreters). Some churches were 1.5 hours away so coordination of transportation was a bit tricky. Don Taylor, our wives and I went to a military chapel with approximately 25 men in uniform in attendance. A meal followed in the balcony as this is typical Korean practice. We were then taken to a mountain park overlooking the ocean and the pastor insisted we walk down to the lighthouse. One hundred and sixty one steps! Later we arrived at a very scenic spot but that meant us 72+ year olds had the 161 steps to climb. As you know we made it, but the ride home was used for snoozing by some.

 We met again at 5:00 pm for conclusions but had to reconvene later as Rev. Yoo’s “Shepherd Dogs” provided a full cafeteria feast. Wow - you should have seen that spread. It was dubbed “our last supper”. We reconvened and concluded after 9:00 P.M. totally weary of a full resurrection day. Some unbelievable insight of signs of Christ’s return were shared as we look for that blessed hope of our Lord’s Return – even so come Lord Jesus! Monday began with a phone call from the Vice President bidding us farewell with a promise to look us up on his next trip to Ames. Dongsue University began their 20th anniversary celebration week as we silently slipped off campus to the airport.

Military Chapel Group

International Student Dorm

Chapel Pastor and our Interrupter

Bottom of the 161 steps  - then we had to walk back up!

Our "Last Supper"

Our Building where we stayed

Our Room in the International Student Dorm

MEF-ASE Conference October 26-27-2012

October 26 and 27, 2012
 Lord, please forgive us for that which we are about to eat. (The missionaries prayer) Food from Gingsing chicken with President Chang (DSU) to Bogu Beef plus 12 other plates of various foods (always Kiamichi) lotus flower and fish make us long for some food of our choice. I was proud of Jan eating most of her seaweed soup. As seen in the pictures we have been royally treated by all, and some attribute it to the US sending missionaries to Korea 100+ years ago, but also our involvement in sparing them from Communism during the Korean conflict. The full day of Biblical Story Telling training went extremely well, and the Asian men really connected with the idea of 80% of the world learn through the auditory (story telling) method. Most people who fit in that 80% would be in Asia/Africa. The need is great to learn this approach to sharing the gospel, and teach the Bible. I am sure we will be facilitating more of this in various countries to assist our Asian leaders and the trained pastors – if the Lord should tarry. (not return soon – it seems eminent) Yet we continue to plan as though it could be many years, but encourage the men to share with urgency and work with diligence. Saturday morning before leaving for our bus road trip to the Korean Dynasty City (2 hrs away) we received excellent reports from China, CCOWE and India. God continues to move in the hearts from entertainment artists and the very affluent to the lowest class people of India. PTL Saturday it rained all day as we traveled by bus to an ancient city. Fifth and Sixth century kings of the Korean Dynasty I can’t pronounce. (See pictures of burial mounds approximately 60-80 feet tall ) Maintenance approximately $50,000 each. Seemed like dozens of them – looked like large haystacks from a distance. This was a highlight of our trip, but having an authentic Korean meal on floor pillows with short tables full of food topped my delight. All again provided by wonderful Korean men as they thanked us for coming to their country. Sitting on a heated floor was super, but the crossed legged squat was beyond our ability. It was more like reclining at the table. After an endless ride home (many traffic jams) we concluded the evening with a meal from McDonalds and an encouraging time of discussion about our future and group prayer for one another. My the bed felt so good!

Day Three in Busan, So. Korea

October 26, 2012 Day Three – Life continues at a fast pace, plans, changes and royal treatment continues. Yesterday lunch in the executive dining (15th floor) room with Vice President of Dongseu Univ. and today with President Chang. He also has USA connections, as he was born in Bowling Green, OH and went to college in Washington D.C. (I am assuming Georgetown, though I didn’t ask). Extremely personable, with a great sense of humor, and was not preoccupied in his mind. He was focused on us all the time, and yet downed all his ½ Cornish Hen including soup, all his rice and Kim chi, cold noodles, coffee and dessert. What another feast. (This place is well endowed as there is glass, marble, polished chrome, stainless steel, elevators and escalators in abundance. At the table with us was Henry Yoo’s older sister (80 years young) founder of a local girls school who showed us how to use our fingers in eating our soup submerged Cornish hen. President also participated! The most impressive part of our time with the President was his heart to see many students come to the Lord during their four years of study. (Approximately 15,000 students – 20% Christian) Required chapels weekly for all students and faculty. (Rev. Henry Yoo is the Chaplain. The morning session of Biblical Story telling went well, and the whole day is devoted to this as 80% of h world is auditory in their learning style and especially in many Asian countries. Most people can related to a well told Biblical story and even though they don’t primarily learn that way will respond positively and with God’s mind can apply it to practical living. The weather is still beautiful – Approx. 72 degrees. Love to you all and keep praying for God to accomplish all He has planned for us!

Yesterday Unveiling the Outdoor Logo

Lunch today with the President

MEF-ASE Group

Norm and Rev. Henry's sister

Norm, Pres. Chang and Henry's sister

Busan So Korea Oct. 24, 2012

Days are moving by quickly and nights sometime long as our bodies do not change rhythm to the 14 hour time change, and even though we seem sleep deprived the activities keep coming. Yesterday included a campus tour walking up and down the side of the mountain this campus was founded on. We are thankful for the many escalators and elevators that assist with the upward climb. The entrance to the world class library was up a three story escalator or you could choose the three story continuous frontage stair with the “Thinker” posed in the center. Construction as I have never seen before (marble, glass, polished chrome, mirrors and many floored buildings).

As an example, we just returned (Thursday noon) from a 15th floor luncheon (special faculty dining) with Dongseu University Vice-President who received his MS and PHD from ISU in 1988. Both his children have and are attending the University of Iowa (one just completed med school and the other completed 2 years of med school). The V.P. loves Ames and the Cyclones, and we cheered him up by telling him the Cyclones defeated Iowa in football this fall. He said he missed Rube’s Steakhouse and comes back to Iowa about once a year. (He loves flat fertile land).

Yesterday afternoon we went to a chapel service (about 20% of students are Christian) and most of them had their heads down most of the time very attentive to the I-Phones. All the conferees are with us and this morning we attended the faculty chapel service (required attendance) and they gustily sang three great hymns of our acquaintance, but could not recognize a word! (However, Jan found the lyrics of each hymn on her IPhone so we were able to sing all the verses in English!)
 Following that service, in which some of us had a part, was an unveiling ceremony of the new university outdoor logo, where many school and some city dignitaries (including the college founder, who by the way is 90+ years old) had a part. The current President is the founder’s oldest son and he was quite personable as well.

 To be included in all of these high profile events was totally unexpected, and indeed humbling. Next week the full 20th Anniversary celebration will get underway with 50+ Presidents of various Asian countries will be here. Trying to squeeze in our agenda in between these events is happening, but not without some distraction. Tomorrow is a full day of storytelling training with our guest teacher, Chuck Broughton of the Navigators (who flew here from Africa). Enclosed are some pictures of highlights.


Rev. Yoo In Univ. Faculty Chapel

MEF-ASE Group after Chapel with Univ. President

Norm with University President Chang

                                         Unveiling the Univ. Logo

                                          A Typical Buson street

                                          Many Hi-Rise Buildings in Busan

  

                                          Beautiful manicured trees on Univ. campus

 

First Day in Busan, South Korea

We arrived safely in Busan, SK at approximately 11:00 PM (10-23-12) and soon found wonderful sleep laying down after 29 hours of sitting/standing in airports and on planes. Awake in the 6th floor dormitory for International Students of Dongseo University to a wonderful panoramic view of this city of nearly 4 million Korean people. Dongseo (DSU) University motto is "Top Ten and To The World" was founded 20 years ago and is a leading university within Korea in specialized fields including Film and Imagery, Information Technology, Digital Contents and Design. All newer buildings and we are shortly touring the facilities following a wonderful breakfast in the 8th floor lounge. Conferees have and are still arriving as we greet one another and exchange instant memories of past times together. Everyone is encouraged by our beautiful setting and wonderful hosts, Henry and Sara Yoo. Henry is the Chaplain of this amazing University. Several curriculums are taught in English and twice as many in Korean language. Anticipation is high for God's purposes to be accomplished in these special days together. Thank you for your prayers and thought for all that will transpire in the coming days! On this first day of our visit we did a walking tour around the campus. The University is built on a high hill so a lot of climbing up and down.

On our walking tour of Dongseu University - MEF-ASE visitors

Visit to the Univ. Chapel where Rev. Henry Yoo is the SR. Chaplain Picture with Korean children out for a walk

Lunch in the Univ. cafeteria. Not sure what I ate! :-)

View of the city of Busan - Beautiful city

Alaska Grandkids Visit to Iowa

These are some of the fun activities that we did with Andrew and Abbi during their visit to our home in Iowa this past week. Train ride on the Boone Scenic Railroad, trip through the Ledges State Park, a visit to the Reiman Gardens and all the Lego creations, and bike ride across the Des Moines River on the High Trestle Bridge. Then a game of HORSE with Grandpa, dinner on the deck and finally saying good bye at the St. Louis airport as they boarded their plane back to Alaska and home. A fun week with Drew and Abbi Luiken!