I want to share my story about Why I
want to be a YAV and how my life's going in Denver during a year. My YAV year
is almost to a close. I have only one month left before going back to Korea. It
might be my last blog in USA. Thanks for
your prayer. That help me a lot for adapting to live in different culture well.
When I was a freshman in college I was concerned
about my calling. So I decided to serve on a staff in a youth camp during the summer
because I met God in youth camp. I wanted to focus on Jesus and know God’s plan
again. At this camp a pastor said to us “Give to God your year of twenty for
tithe” – meaning when I turn 20 years old, I should give God the whole year. After
camp I went on a few mission trips to Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. Through these
trips, I learned many things. In Laos I was shocked about Lao people because
they are happy even without God. Even though it was a different kind of happy,
they seemed happier than me. I took some time to reflect on this. I believe in God,
but sometimes I am not happy. I didn’t give thanks to GOD, I just complained to
him. In Thailand, I thought deeply about what Mission is. In Cambodia, I realized I can’t live without
Jesus. He really loves me and he wants to give me a chance to know him. That
helped me become more close to God through Mission. So I chose to give my year
to GOD. I prayed about this since Jan 1. 2014, and after a month my Pastors
told me about the YAV program in America. YAV has not been easy for me, because
American culture and Korean culture is very different. But, the reason I have
still wanted to challenge myself to live in America is because I really don’t do
anything. Jesus does everything in spite of me because he is the master of my
life. I just follow him. Even though we have different cultures and customs and
languages, we have the same vision and mind that we love God. That will make us
one. I didn’t want to miss this chance. So I told the YAV Coordinator Hye-young
and Kurt. But becoming a YAV was not easy for me. For living in America, I
needed to be issued a Visa. So all of the Korean exchange Yavs had to prepare
for a Visa interview. But I was the only one that couldn’t pass the Visa interview.
I was really disappointed because I am very hard on myself. The whole process
of the YAV program has taught me so much about my character. I was refused the
visa twice. That meant I wouldn’t be able to get a VISA for the year and I wouldn’t
be able to become a YAV. I had one month before needing to fly to the US for the
YAV Orientation and still I didn’t get the visa. So I was confused if God
wanted me to be a YAV or not. All my friends told me
that it was not God’s plan for me. Other people suggested to do a mission trip
in another country. But I didn’t want to give up because I was sure this was
God’s plan for me. So I made an appointment with the embassy and I finally I
got the visa for YAV. That was definitely one part of the YAV year that began
to shape my character.
This year of service I have worked at
three places. The African Community Center (ACC), Denver Presbytery, and Korean
Presbyterian Church every week and weekend. At the African Community Center, I
work for Refugees as an Assistant to a Case manager. I help refugees can get
their SSN, Food Stamps and any other benefits from Government. Because lots of
Refugees come here every month, the Case managers are overwhelmed trying to
find time to interview the Refugees. So I organize all of the case files for
the Case managers so they can see the files without mess and keep processing
all of the things which the Refugees need to live. Working at ACC is sometimes
hard for me, but I try to remember this Bible verse: “And whoever welcomes on
such child in my name welcomes me.” –Matthew 18:5. Before working here, I had
never known about Refugees and how they can adapt in a new country. Until last year, I had only lived in Korea.
Because I was born in Korea, I didn’t need any processing for being Korean. Also
I can speak Korean so it wasn’t hard to do something in Korea. That’s why I
didn’t know how hard it was for refugees to live in another country that isn’t
their own. But now, after living in America, I understand their experience. I
have also been adapting to the US. Everything was new so I was afraid of
everything because of my English. I didn’t know how to get to my work place or
how to pay money for taking public transportation. So I didn’t want to go out
and I usually stayed in my room. When I visited the Bank with my coordinator, I
got frustrated about everything needed for getting my new account. After that I
cried a lot. And I have had many experiences that have taught me so much about
the US. These experiences helped me understand and sympathize with Refugees
more than I ever did before. I met some refugees when I started working at ACC.
I even taught them how to get and use the Restroom. They can’t speak English at
all. Though after a few months, I meet them again at ACC and they say hi to me
naturally and they aren’t afraid of living here anymore. Like me, they have
also had many experiences which include experience of failure and those things that
make them more strong and adaptable here. When I met my supervisor at ACC, She asked
me what my interests were. I answered that I like paperwork and organizing
things. After 8 months, I had a time with her again for reflecting about my
job. She asked this question again and I responded with the same answer. She
was surprised about my answer, saying most people don’t like doing paperwork. I
told her that is why I like to do paperwork. I have realized that paper has a lot
of power. For example, if someone wants to do business with someone, they would
need to make a contract. If they don’t write a contract and there is no evidence
about this business, they can’t receive damages. So this contract is really important
to them. Other paper work too. All the benefits from the government which
Refugees can receive while struggling with money relies on paperwork. All the benefits
depend on paperwork first. That’s why I like to do paperwork although it looks
boring. Some people think paperwork is too small of a thing so instead of it
they want to do something more important. But everything is important even
small paperwork. Especially for Refugees. They can’t speak English and don’t
know how to apply for things. It’s an important job for them. When I get to do
the paperwork for them I feel really great.
On the weekends I serve at the Denver
Presbytery. One of my jobs is working for the Diverse Group. Three months in
Denver presbytery held an Assembly.
Before the Assembly there was a Pre-Assembly for the Diverse Group.
Usually we discuss how the diverse church can develop and solve some issues. I
got to join this meeting and share my story of the Korean Church. Denver
Presbytery gave me a chance to experience different worship styles of diverse
Churches. So I visited each church and had a worship service all together. Last
week my Supervisor and I published a “Children’s Prayer book” for the Diverse
Groups. Another job I have at the Korean
Presbyterian Church is that I assist the Pastor so he can focus on Sermon. I
prepare all of the materials for the worship service and play the piano for
worship. The first time, I didn’t like to serve at the Korean Church because I
had served Korean church my whole life. I just wanted to experience the
American Church. It was hard for me because it was easy for me to connect
between the First Generation and Second Generation. They have their own Cultural
things. First generation is a mix of Korean-American culture and Second
Generation has American Culture. I don’t know about American Culture and also
can’t understand how the First Generation has such a hard time here. And one
thing that was hard was there was no Young adults around my age. After a month,
I really struggled with homesickness. But with the love from the Korean church,
I knew I could finish the year.
The church has experienced some
painful moments. Some church members have left, which is hard for the Pastors.
My hometown Church was like this. Our church had also been separated three
times, but the pastor made a new plan for the Church with the Church members. This
Korean Church also has made a plan for revivalism with the new pastor and
church members. I always enjoy working in the church.
I’m majoring in Christian studies as a dual major. I usually had a time to
serve in the Church with my friends. Also my university is a mission school,
and I had a chance to work with the Chaplain Office and pastors during my
university life. Living in Church is my life so I’m comfortable working in the
Church. I have always been interested in working in the church. In Korea,
working at the Presbytery or Church with the pastor is not something I am
allowed to do. In Korea, only actual pastors can work in the church. Also there
is a hierarchy of leadership which would keep me from being able to speak
openly to my Pastor with ideas. But the Presbytery allowed me to do this.
Living in a very different place is
not easy, it’s hard. Sometimes I really want to go back to my country. Many
times I have cried this year and been very disappointed in myself. But when I
reflect on my year, God is always with me. He has changed my mind, thoughts,
and also my character too. In Korea I was a lot more open with my emotions, but
because of my lack of English it has been hard for me to share how I feel. For saying
somethings, I need lots of time to make sentences that I want to say. But the
extra time it takes me to think of what I want to say helps me be aware of
others feelings too. Also I learned
about Community in Christ. I’m really excited to share these experiences with
my new community in Korea. I have always tried to find what God
wants for me. But still I haven’t known what God wants for me. But this work
experience has helped me become closer to God and his plan for me. I have only 2
years left before I graduate from the University. I eagerly look forward to see how God is
acting in my life.
