...which means, "I miss you" in Korean. I miss Korea. I miss my Korean friends...sometimes I miss them so much my heart feels like it's being squeezed by some large invisible hand. I lived and worked and ministered in Seoul for about a year and a half. There I met my husband and got engaged. They threw me an "engagement party," which was really a wedding! (I'll rustle up some pics and blog about it). It was just unbelievable how much time and effort they put into it. *sigh* I often wonder why God has given me so many people in my life who love me...I certainly do not deserve it, but I am so grateful for them. I just want to introduce you to a couple of the beautiful people I left in Korea.
Sophia & Gil
Sophia & Gilwonderful, quirky, enormously loving people.
Sophia adopted me as her sister, and Gil is like the coolest brother ever. They were both my students at first. Sophia was so different from the other girls I met there. She is a complete individual, very independent and so brave. She has a confident calm about her; I think she could do anything she decided to do. She is beautiful, and I believe she knows she's beautiful, and I always found that refreshing. She and I did Bible studies together for several months...she had such an honest approach to the Bible, looking at it with fresh eyes. I will never forget the day she was baptised - we both cried and laughed and cried and laughed....and then I won't forget the day I said good-bye, and then we just cried. Gil actually came with Jonathan and me to the airport when we left Korea. He was so strong; he had a peace about us leaving, he knew he would see us again even if it wasn't till Heaven. I remember first meeting Gil; he absolutely overflows with fun. He's always making goofy faces (with his mouth wide open, as you can see). He would come to our schools weekend programs (all designed to help students with English and teach them about God), and to be honest, none of us ever thought he would be the least bit interested in Christianity...
...all I can say is that it's a good thing God judges the heart and not me. It was after his baptism that I really got to know Gil, and I realized how sweet and thoughtful he was. Gil has become one of the most faithful people I know, and he continues to inspire me.
So, I miss them....I miss them a lot. It hurts my heart to think I might not see them again on this earth, but if fills me with unspeakable joy to know I will see them again, and then I will never say good-bye.
It’s good that you cherish the memories of them. It’s also a shame that you didn't get an email address or something. I just think it’s amazing how you helped someone get closer to God. I believe you are truly a blessed person.
I resonate with this. I totally get what you mean when you describe the squeezing of the heart. I miss China like that. Sometimes a smell or sound or thought will catch me back in time, and I miss the place, and the people, so much.
For so long I thought we would go back, we'd HAVE to go back. Then I had to grieve to possibility that we may never. I take consolation in my brother living over there, because he has contact with some of the friends we mutually made. It is a strong missing, isn't it, Jodi?
Sometimes your comment bar won't let me comment. The letters (image) I'm supposed to copy show up as a question mark. It's so irritating! =)
Why can't this be like facebook, which never cares if I type the wrong letter?!
Wonderful post! It's so wonderful to touch someone's life like that and have them, in turn, touch yours.
I cry too much. Mostly over people I fear I'll never see again. In heaven or here.
I take comfort in the mercy and understanding that's promised in the bible. I know I'm gonna need both, tremendously. Sigh.
I love the beautiful people you introduced me to in Korea. I know that I've said it before, but I'll say it again. Thank you, my love.
Beautiful Sophia. I wore the scarf she gave me the other day.
It is wonderful that you had the experience that you did. somehow when you bring someone to know God your relationship is deep and different than any other friendship. It is a priviledge.