Long time no see. It has already passed 100 days since I came to the states. Thanks to God for protecting me during those 100days and sending me great friends--Denver Yavs and Korean Yavs--who can share and understand about my journey. Especially, Because English is so hard for me. It's not easy to adapt in US, but my housemates and coordinators helped me understand about American culture, like a how they communicate with someone. And also thank you for my Korean Yavs who serve in other cities. Every day we share about what we did today, experienced in our city and teach us about American culture which they learn from their experience. Since I came to Denver, I did a lot of new things which I have never experienced with my housemates. Football, camping, Demi Loveto concert, plays, Columbus Day, a Mennonite Relief sale, trip in Mexico with Tucson Yavs, Hunger Games and Thanksgiving day with a Turkey Trot 5K. I had a great day in Denver.
Before sharing about my journey, some may be curious about what I am doing in Denver. I participate in a Young Adult Volunteer program of PCUSA(Presbyterian Church USA). I live with 5 other people who also participate in this program with me. I serve in Denver Presbytery and Korean Presbyterian Church and African Community Center for refugees. With my housemates, we try to do something for justice and God. We try to be a light in the world and salt of the earth in here. And we also try to see God in the city.
Now I want to share about what I felt during 100 days in Denver. That will help you to know about what people who are from another country feel about America. It maybe interesting to you.
First of all, I got a lot of culture shock but also not too much. When I and the Denver YAVs had an orientation in the mountain, we met other people who climbed the mountain like us. we didn't even know each other, but, we greeted and talked with each other so nicely.
1,One day I tried to take a bus to go to my workplace--that was my first day to take a bus in the US by myself--I was a little scared to miss the bus or take the wrong bus. A woman came to me and ASKed me where I was going, where I was from etc. At first I was taken aback by why she was asking me. But I responded to her that it was my first time to go to my work place. And then she helped me to get the right numbered bus and she encouraged me and gave me an angel coin. I was touched by the warmth from her. I like this culture. Sometimes I want to share about my day.
2. Also It's not normal in Korea TO BE A FRIEND WITH SOMEONE WHO IS OLDER THAN ME. A gap of 2-3 years is ok, but to Americans, age doesn't matter. To be a friend. in Korea, age is very important because of the custom: "Elders first."
3. The other thing is HUGE. When we say goodbye, we just shake the person's hand. But when I came to the states for orientation, everyone hugs me even though we have just met. In Korea this physical contact is allowed with my parents or someone who I am in a relationship with only. If you hug me in Korea people will think you like me as a girlfriend and if you have a wife or husband.... That is something you never do with a woman.
4. Also TOUCHING SOMEONE'S HEAD is normal here in the states but not in Korea. Touching of a head in Korea has two meanings: first means that you are cute or you have lovely eyes. This is for someone you love (but still not done often). And the second is when a teacher praises a student. The teacher says something and might touch his or her head. That situation involves the relationship between Teacher and Student. In Korea a teacher and student is not on the same level. So touching the head is allowed by those who are a high lever than me.
5. One of my favorite things is DECORATING. Every holiday like Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, etc. every house and store is decorated with gorgeous lights or table covers. I especially like printed napkins! And also, decorating my laptop or water bottle is amazing and popular here. This is unique but in Korean most people don't like to decorate their laptops or water bottles. We just like things that look simple. Stickers are not popular but sometimes table covers or phone/laptop covers. So some Koreans decorate their laptops with colorful covers.
Second, I practice giving myself to God. In these past months I have really wanted to know what is real LOVE. On the bus going to my work place, it takes an hour and sometimes I am really tired and I sleep on my way to work. But each day I try to talk with God and listen to God and what he wants for me to say. Sometimes I focus on the nature of the people who are walking in the street.
I don't like to make a mistake. I'm really strict person. That is both good and bad. That is one of the reasons why I want to be a YAV. I want to change the my life and my personality to be better for doing God's purpose. English is not my first language, so sometimes I really feel hard because I cannot communicate with them. It's not easy to say something about my thought. And because of English, even if it's very easy things like a paperwork or calling someone, its caused a lot of mistakes. At first, I felt greatly disappointed in my work, but now I'm used to making some mistakes, more comfortable when I have.
We have a spiritual time on Wednesday night. Every week, a different YAV leads. When I prepared for this time, I watched the video about David's one desire. (Psalm 27:4) Nevertheless, David had all of the wealth, honor,and authority he could have, but he couldn't fill the empty. He finally came to the conclusion which is Psalm 27:4. [One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.] David really loved the LORD. So he wanted to live with the LORD all of his days. The reason we want to marry the person we love--that is because of love; because we really love the other person, so we want to live together and make a plan together forever. David's love for the Lord was like this. After reading this, I thought carefully about what my one desire is. Is it the same as David? I said No. I didn't love God as much as he did. Every day and to everyone I said I really love God, but my life is not like this. If we love someone, we want to know what he likes and also, we want to do things with them. We want to be just like them. But my life is not like how Jesus lived. I repented about my life. Now I want to be like Jesus. That story is why I focus on love in my life; Jesus loved every person even if they hated him. He said love sovereign. But it's not easy. Jesus did, so I also want to do this. It is a shortcut to be a light of the world, salt of the earth.
I hope during the next 9 months, I will realize more about How God is leading my life for his purpose and how I can talk deeply with God in the messy situations.
Please Pray for me and Denver Dwellers and all of Yavs are always in God.
To YAVs. Sometimes life is not working right and we can disappoint ourselves, but please remember Jesus is only owner of our life. Only He can handle our life. Just believe in Him. He will do great things for you because he knows us and he really loves. Just follow Him and just see what He does in our lives. It is more amazing than we thin.
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