Taekwondo in Croatia

TKD Dance People of God 1.wmv

Through the Valley

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

Psalm 23:4-5a

In the valley, there are sweet waters. Oh?! Really?! The water is not so sweet when you feel you are next on the 'most hopeless list'.

Looking at the stats will most certainly cast a shadow and show the depth of the daily struggle through a major valley in which at least one out of every school-aged student in Korea never finds comfort. (Stats show that at least one school-aged child commits suicide every day!)

So, what leads these precious lives to feeling they are at the point of no return? Family feuds, low scores at school, failed relationships with the other sex . . . and the list goes on. The race for materialism and the break-down in traditional families leave many youth spinning out of control and having no idea how to get their car back in the right lane. If all of these areas are in check . . . the need to become a test-writing robot (obtaining nothing less than perfect score), drains every last ounce of sanity and creativity, leaving just an empty shell.

BUT, there IS hope! The hope is found not in removing all valleys. The hope is found in finding the right companion through the valley. Nothing is more glorious than learning the true meaning of 'through' the valley. Let's define 'through':

• to completion
• from beginning to end
• over the whole distance
• from one end or side to the other
• throughout the entire extent
  

So, we are not meant to stay in this valley of dispair! That's hope! We are meant to see the other side. We are not meant to quit in the middle . . . we can see the end - completion.
We cannot avoid the bleakness of the stats at hand . . . however, we can spread a little ray of light into each little life we meet on a daily basis. We can change the stats, one child at a time. Teach them, there is hope! Teach them that there is someone who cares. Teach them that even though they may feel lost, lonely, and hopeless . . . the joy comes once you have overcome and made it to the other side of the valley. No one and nothing is worth throwing away the life you have in front of you! You have value. No matter what others have done to you . . . you are special and someone cares. You may not be the best in your class and your family may never be satisfied with who you are, but you can go the distance - you can have a real life! We have a responsibility to show them we care and that most of all, they CAN know a God who truly cares for them on a very personal level.
Through the valley and up the mountain, into the sunshine of true living!

Trying to Catch Up!!

The Lord our
God is near
us whenever
we call to Him.

Deuteronomy 4:7

It's been quite some time since our last update, but trust me there's been lots happening. Keep an eye out for our Mother's Day and Father's Day posts/videos. We had lots of fun sharing some Canadian tradition as well as a wonderful time of worship with our friends here.
As you all probably know, the North Korea situation has one more time become a bit unsettling for many. However, living here in the midst of it all seems to be less stressful than to those who receive the news abroad. Please take time today to say a special prayer for those who are suffering beyond what you and I could ever imagine. We are so blessed! We wake up to the beautiful rays of sunshine streaming in the window in the early morning hours. We rise from our beds, enjoy a wonderful breakfast, and step outside to breathe the morning air. No one is waiting outside to demand we give all of our service, money, energy, honor, life to the leader of our country. We live, love and laugh . . . and then we don't even think about it. Stop for a moment today and remember those who have family members somewhere in North Korea. Maybe they are dead, maybe they are alive! We were moved this past Sunday to listen to one of our friends talk through tear filled eyes about his missing family members. Love those close to you today!
As we try to feel the pain of those around us, and try to be a listening ear, we realize that the pain they have endured is one we can only barely attempt to understand. The following is a journal entry from one of our young students. It is our joy to be able to plant a desire in these young hearts to have a relationship with God and to know that He is in control . . . we don't need to be afraid! I hope this touches your heart like it did ours.

Monday June 15th, 2009
God . . .
God, North Korea is scary and they have many problems. God, please deliver them. They don't know You, so they have hard times and sad times. They have sadness, so we're sad because we are one land. But, we have different thinking. I am very sad and shy. Another land is together, but we all think of war. Everyone hates war, me too. God, North Korea is very poor. God, deliver everyone! I prayer in Jesus name, Amen!
God wants everyone delivered from evil and everyone to know His truth.

This is a child's heart! In response to one or our questions about her special Friend (God), she said that she has Him deep in her heart and talks to Him many times. What an encouragement to us all . . . be strong and lean on Him. He is our dearest friend. Have a blessed day and remember - you are special!

Super J

And who is the one who overcomes
the world, but he who believes
that Jesus is the Son of God?

1 John 5:5

Over the past couple of weeks, we have been trying to impress upon our students the importance of believing in Jesus. In a society and world of broken trust, once again we face a dilemma. If we can’t trust those we see and even love, how can we trust Someone we cannot see? For some of us this goes without saying. How can we not trust in God? But, for those who are hearing this for the first time, it can be a little hard to fathom.
We have been blessed with a group of students who are very open to learning who God is and are very excited to hear about this wonderful Friend who will always be with them.
We are very excited about how God is opening such young hearts and minds to understand more about Him.
Every two weeks, we introduce a new Bible verse at three different levels. The students study, repeat, and memorize these verses. They each have a special book in which to place their new Bible verse sticker. Our motto for Bible study is ‘God’s Word I Have Hid in My Heart!’ As we tuck God’s word into our hearts and minds, we can suit up and be prepared to fight the enemy. When we are sad, we have His promises. When we are joyful, we sing His praises. When we are scared, we remember His comforting words. When we are confused, we rest in Him. We also place the verses around the room to help with tucking them in their hearts.Thursday’s class started and the rafter’s were ringing with the young voices. “Who is the King of the universe, and who’s the King of me? I’ll tell you, J-E-S-U-S. He is the King of me . . . “ and “My God is so big, so big, so big!” We were having a blast! After all the singing they were quite thirsty. “Are you thirsty?” “Yes, may I have some water?” and the routine continued. Courtney took her station at the water machine and helped as she practiced their English conversation with them. Two little six year olds approached and started to sip their water. They noticed the ‘Super J’ logo on the machine and asked Courtney about it. She explained that it is for Super Jesus, our best friend and hero. One little boy said, “Well, he can’t be better than Superman, can He?” The other little kid responded with much vigor, “Of course He is. Jesus has special binoculars and He can see the whole world!” Yes, He is our Super Jesus and let’s not forget that He is watching out for us always. Never feel that you’ve been left alone or that there’s no hope! Jesus is ‘to the rescue’ just in time – His time. God Bless.