This week's persecuted church: North Korea

"I spoke the night after the announcement of Kim Jong-Il's death with one of our VOM workers who works on the Korean peninsula, and his message was,  'Don't look for any significant changes, at least in the short-term.'"

It is estimated that between 50,000 to 70,000 Christians suffer in prison camps because of their faith. People rarely get out alive.

In practice, there is no freedom to build churches or to worship in homes. An estimated 400,000 Christians practice their faith in underground networks. Possession of a Bible or Christian material is illegal and punishable by death.

Thought of the Day:  2012
Song of the Day:  Third Day-Medley

End of the Year Reunions

Thought of the Day:  Happy New Year!
Song of the Day:  Voy-Ever Ever(Feat. 계피)

This week's persecuted church: Laos

Eight Lao Christian leaders arrested on 16 December for “organising” a Christmas visit with 200 Church members are still in jail. Village security forces entered the building, isolated the eight leaders, blindfolded and handcuffed some before marching them off to Boukham government headquarters, where they were detained without charge.

Thought of the Day:  Banner in the Sky
Song of the Day:  Clazzi (with 코타 & 주비 of 써니힐)-Sexy Doll

Reporting

Report #1


Report #2
I didn't get any of the public school jobs that I had applied to mainly because of email complications.  Looks like the tutoring gig stays for at least another eight months.

Report #3
Christmas gifts are FINISHED.  May the distributing begin.

Report #4
I have become a fan of Sinclair Ferguson.  "Our past sins do not paralyze God."  I like that.  I finished his Ruth and Christmas series.  So good.  Now I'm going to start James.

Thought of the Day:  Dream
Song of the Day:  어른아이-Oh Happy Day

This week's persecuted church: Iran

"When he first went into prison, they put him into solitary confinement in a tiny cell. After that, they moved him into another room, and he was with quite a few people," DeMars reports. "It was very hot in the room, and all he could do [was] sit down day and night. They couldn't [lie] down to sleep."

Now, Irani is in a regular cell, according to the ministry spokesman. "However, he's been daily beaten up by criminals there in the prison. The criminals have been asked to do it by the authorities there," the PTM founder relays. "From what we've been told, they basically stand by and watch while it happens."

Irani is in poor health. Relatives say he has a foot that is so badly injured that he might lose it. Also, his hair has turned completely white. But the pastor reportedly is not giving up hope.

Thought of the Day:  쇼핑
Song of the Day:  창 밖을 봐요

A Day in the Life of...

1st Class
아줌마:  My daughter goes to a gym.
Me:  Oh.  How often does she go?
아줌마:  She's fat.
Me:  Oh ok.

2nd Class
(learning the proper usage of "promise")
Me:  So we use this when someone has broken or hasn't kept a promise.
아저씨:  Oh.  Like "약속했잖아!"
Me:  Yes.  Exactly.
아저씨:  (looks at time and gets up to leave)  I need to go to the dentist right now.  I have a promise.
Me:  (not quite) Ok.

3rd Class
Me:  What's "Celebrations, Mom!"?
Student:  축하해, 엄마!

4th Class
Student:  Today, we watched "기생령."
Me:  What is that?
Student:  Do you know 기생?
Me:  Is that like a ghost that comes back to life?
Student:  Do you know 기생충?
Me:  Oh!  You mean like parasite?
Student:  I don't know.
Me:  Oh.  So it's like a parasite ghost.  A ghost that lives in other people's bodies?
Student:  Yes!  Then we watched 폐가.
Me:  What is that?
Student:  Abandoned House.
Me:  You mean Haunted House?
Student:  No.  Abandoned House.
Me:  Oh.
Student:  This is now Korean class!  Then we watched...


5th Class
Me:  So you believe in Santa Claus?
Student:  Yeah, he even wrote me a letter (points at wall).
Me:  I didn't know Santa Claus knew Korean.

6th Class
(talking about right and left hands)
Student:  With my left, I punch like this (punches straight).  But with my right, I hook...  (demonstrates hook).

7th Class
Student:  Hello, Teacher!
Me:  Hello, Mark.
Student:  How are you today?
Me:  I'm good.
Student:  Yeah, it's a little bit cold today.
Me:  Yeah, a little bit.
Student:  Today, I'm going to tell you about the background story of Dead Rising (zombie game).
Me:  (*sigh*  here we go) Alright.  Great!

Thought of the Day:  Christmas Gifts
Song of the Day:  Shocking Lemon-Under Star

Winter Coma

Today, my student imitated what I looked like struggling to stay awake during class.  I told him it was just that my eyes were really uncomfortable today.  I think he bought it.  But that imitation he did of me today...yikes.

Thought of the Day:  Mariah Carey Christmas song
Song of the Day:  자전거 탄 풍경-너에게 난 나에게 넌

This week's persecuted church: Ethiopia

On November 29, more than 500 Muslim students, accompanied by Muslim police officials, burned down a church.  The church was burned down after the police destroyed its roof four days earlier.  The Muslim students screamed, "Allahu Akbar!"  and "Jihad!" as they poured gasoline and burned the Saint Arsema Orthodox Church.

Thought of the Day:  Polar Express
Song of the Day:  수상한 커튼-겨울의 끝

Free Mornings

A couple of weeks ago, I was sharing with Michael how I would have "free mornings" once I was done with my TESOL course.  After he finished his Korean classes around the time of our conversation, he used his mornings by waking up around 8 and listening to sermons and doing other holy and productive stuff.  Well, I had my first "free morning" today.  I got about nine hours of sleep.  I ate breakfast.  I had a drowsy time of prayer.  Then I went back to bed...until 1:30 in the afternoon.  I guess you can call this holy cause I'm sure no one really does this on the first weekday of the week.  Productive, not so much.

Throwing away precious time.  I'm a professional.

Thought of the Day:  Christmas Gifts
Song of the Day:  Maroon 5-Won't Go Home Without You

This week's persecuted church: Pakistan

“We were cultivating chickpeas when the Muslims arrived at our fields...ㅅhey asked us to leave everything and never return because it was their land now. [We said] we have been cultivating the land since 1976, how could we just leave? This angered them, and they attacked us. They pulled away our headscarves from our heads and started hitting us indiscriminately with clubs and punches...Martha, around 40, and Nasreen, about 28, refused to leave the land, which infuriated the Muslims, and they attacked the women, hitting them with batons and punches."

Thought of the Day:  나라
Song of the Day:  The Notorious B.I.G.-Hypnotize

I want to become a room (translated)

An autumn night like these days, at Seoul Station

waiting for the morning

in the waiting room, running away from the coldness

I want to become a room that will hide my shame

I want to become a room, I want to become a room

when the rain falls, when the wind blows

until the sun comes up.

-Yoo Chang Man 

(homeless man who lived in the streets near Seoul Station before passing away last December)

Thought of the Day:  Simon

Song of the Day:  Sowelu-Material World

It Is Finished

I don't know how, but I just flew past the last third of my TESOL course.  I was anticipating finishing a week or two from now, but I was actually able to finish it before December.  Thank the Lord!  I was especially surprised by how fast I was able to finish my very last assignment, a 500-700 word essay on my topic of choice, in just a little over half an hour.  And so I conclude my celebration (after listening to my "Tequila" jam) by sharing Philip Chung's Why complete a TEFL course (8):


Today, we live in an age where English is the primary language of the world with the highest demand and need for work, media, and relationships.  As a result, millions of people are studying English to keep up with the rest of society.  That is why hundreds of TEFL courses are offered all over the world as numerous schools and institutions seek qualified English teachers everyday.  Although there is some debate regarding the effectiveness and necessity of a TEFL certificate, there are three clear reasons why English instructors should complete a TEFL course.  There are great benefits to one’s grammar skills, teaching abilities, and job qualifications.

One of the best things about taking a TEFL course is the in-depth review and refining of grammar skills.  Ranging from various tenses to active and passive voices, students can look at the fine rules of grammar by examining various structures, conditions, and examples.  Even native speakers who feel very comfortable with these rules may have some trouble with particular areas of grammar.  It does not hurt to review these lessons, especially when these same lessons will be taught to English learners in the future.  Another great thing about studying grammar in the TEFL course is being able to practice the application of these grammar rules in teaching.  TEFL students will be given many opportunities to think of ideas for educational and engaging activities for classes that will focus on foundational rules.  As a result, reviewing grammar will be very beneficial and relevant for all TEFL students along with other areas of teaching.

A TEFL course introduces and improves various teaching methods that will make an effective teacher.  Students will learn how to manage different types of classes, teach students of various levels, age groups, and sizes, make instructive lesson plans, and choose appropriate material for the class.  They will be introduced to different theories and present all kinds of advantages and disadvantages to numerous approaches.  Students will learn how to combine new teaching methods while finding a balance between diverse options.  Ultimately, the different areas that will be covered will help produce teachers who are flexible and able to adapt to unexpected situations as well.  At the same time, these new methods will constantly be put into practice through the assigning of lesson plans and theoretical situations.  Students will be challenged to analyze and understand all of these things through various reading and homework assignments as well.  In addition to sharpening teaching skills, taking a course can also help with work-related areas.

Completing a TEFL course will certainly help with future jobs and pay.  As the need for English teachers is growing all around the world, so is the need for qualified instructors who know what they are doing.  The educational market is growing rapidly in several countries; so many native English speakers are seeking lucrative teaching jobs as well.  However, many of these jobs are now requiring certificates in education, but especially in English education as a foreign language.  Even if some institutions do not necessarily require a TEFL certificate, having one can actually increase the chances of getting hired along with a noticeably higher salary.  When schools or academies see that a teacher has taken this course, it builds credibility and reliability, which will ultimately benefit both parties.  Although the TEFL course has great benefits with learning and teaching, the job and financial benefits should be considered as well.

In conclusion, students who take a TEFL course will have positive experiences with studying, refining, and even job-searching.  There are hundreds of courses to choose from that will bring about better teaching and learning for teachers and students.  Although there are several teachers in many countries that have not taken a TEFL course, having this certificate will bring various advantages and benefits to all who choose to take it.

Now I've gotta start applying for jobs and begin some Christmas shopping.  Hello, December!

Thought of the Day:  내시경

Song of the Day:  Haste the Day-O Come Emmanuel

This week's persecuted church: Algeria

Krimo, 29, was arrested on April 14 and detained for three days in Oran for giving a CD about Christianity to a neighbor.  On May 4, Krimo was given a five year prison sentence for blasphemy based on the neighbor's accusation that he had insulted the Muslim prophet Muhammad.  Having appealed the decision, Krimo waits to be summoned to an appellate court where a final verdict is expected to be handed down.

Thought of the Day:  Unit 16
Song of the Day:  Kim Kyung Ho-금지된사랑

Bullied Bullies Bullying Bullies?

I was working on a sample lesson plan and wanted to find a youtube clip on bullying.  Many of you might have already heard of this incident a while back, but I just found out about it a few minutes ago.




I had a dream that I finally started a facebook and the whole world was so happy.  I think that's why they call it IN YOUR DREAMS.

Thought of the Day:  Bombarded
Song of the Day:  INOJ-Movin' On

This week's persecuted church: Iran

Dissident student Peyman Aref, who was imprisoned for two years and released after enduring 74 lashes, was rearrested recently after he prayed at the grave of Neda Agha Soltan, the young Iranian woman shot down in the streets of Tehran during the anti-government protests of 2009

TESOL

I am more than halfway done with my online TESOL course.  I LOATHE doing the homework assignments.  There are a total of 20 assignments for the course, and each one takes me approximately 2.5 hours to finish.  Part of it is the fact that I already know 80% of the material.  Another part is that I would rather spend my time studying or doing something else.  I honestly thought that I'd be able to gun through all of the units in less than a month, but it looks like I'll need a couple of extra weeks (I think I'll be getting my diploma when Simon gets his).  It's times like this when I realize how undisciplined I can be.  The thing that really pisses me off is that I know that this course is actually helping me too.  I AM learning.  I NEEDED to practice making lesson plans.  I HAD to refine some of my grammar rules.

Anyway, I recently remembered that this was what inspired me to write that one blogpost about "what I wish I had known."  John Ro was right.  I wish I had come in to Korea with a TESOL certificate.  Freak.

Thought of the Day:  등갈비
Song of the Day:  2Pac-Life Goes On

This week's persecuted church: Nigeria

They stormed this town in Yobe state, northern Nigeria like a swarm of bees, and at the end of their four-hour rampage, some 150 people had been killed – at least 130 of them Christians, according to church sources.

More than 200 members of the Islamic extremist Boko Haram sect stormed the Yobe state capital, Damaturu, at 5 p.m. on Nov. 4, and soon the terrorists had blocked all four major highways leading into town. Some of them charged the police headquarters, commando style, killing all officers on duty, while the rest broke into two banks – First Bank Nigeria PLC and United Bank for Africa, stealing millions of naira. Boko Haram also bombed police stations and an army base in and around Damaturu.

“When Boko Haram members and other Muslims here attacked us on that 4th of November, it was like the end had come for Christians in this settlement,” Garba said. “Bullets were fired indiscriminately into our houses. I and my family locked ourselves in my house. Bullets were dropping on rooftops like ice blocks from a rainstorm. The trauma my 10-year-old son had as a result of sounds from guns and explosions has not left him, as he has refused to eat ever since the attack.”

Thought of the Day:  Future Tense
Song of the Day:  Sweetpea-떠나가지마

This week's persecuted church: Kenya

In a town in Kenya, Hassan was returning home from running errands at 8:30 p.m. when the six young Muslim men stopped him.  They hit him with a metal bar on his forehead and face, he said, and he lost two teeth on the spot.  Others hit him on the back.

Some stomped on his stomach while he was on the ground as others hit him on his legs, he said through bandages on his nose and above his mouth.  His hands were bandaged where they wounded him with a knife.

The attachers stripped him of his clothes as he bled and dragged him away, dumping him at the entrance of an area Presbyterian Church of East Africa.  Some passersby found him and called his mother.

"What happened to my son is the climax of the threats that I have been receiving from my Muslim neighbors," she said.  "They have now discovered that we are Christians.  They have heard my small children sing Christian songs.  In fact, there are rumors going round that I am the pastor of the group, but my strength is from God and my seven sons..Even though has he has been beaten, I trust God to protect us.  I will not return to Islam; I will stand with Christ."

Thought of the Day:  불안정
Song of the Day:  TLC-Creep

Right in the Kisser

"I fell asleep that night thinking about the kiss that might have been.  What did a kiss feel like, anyway?  Somehow I knew it wouldn't be like the one I got from Mom or Dad at bedtime.  The same species, maybe, but a radically different beast, to be sure."
-Juli from Flipped

It's amazing to think how powerful a kiss can be.  It can make people happy, jealous, angry, embarrassed, turned on/off, surprised, confused, awkward, betrayed, and/or sick.  It has the power to unite but also the power to destroy.  You can communicate so much with so little, but it's also possible to communicate so little with so much.  You can kiss without being kissed in return.  The fascination with one's first kiss.  The dread of grandma's kiss.  This kiss that we have.  Isn't it amazing?

The funny thing about that picture is that I entitled it "nasty shekis."

Thought of the Day:  100일
Song of the Day:  Spice Girls-2 Become 1

This week's persecuted church: Eritrea

The number of believers in Christ now dying in the country while serving time in prison for their belief totals 21, said officials at Open Doors USA.

Terhase Gebremichel Andu, 28, and Ferewine Genzabu Kifly, 21, died as the result of starvation and untreated health problems, confidential sources inside Eritrea told Open Doors. Andu died on Oct. 16 and Kifly died one week later on Sunday.

Both were arrested during a prayer meeting in 2009 at a private home in Tesenai, according to Open Doors. They faced two years of physical torture and were denied medical care inside Adersete Military Camp.

Angesom Teklom Habtemichel, 26, who was imprisoned at Adi Nefase Military Camp in Asab, died at the end of August, officials with the ministry said. He suffered from severe malaria but was “denied medical treatment because of his written refusal to recant his Christian faith.”

Thought of the Day:  등산
Song of the Day:  B2ST-You

Threads

"God is holding the threads of your life.  Believe me, you will never know until you stand before Him how beautiful a design He has planned before you...the Grand Weaver is holding the threads of your life.  I do not know what you are going through now, but you submit your life to Him, and I promise you He will surprise you and pull those threads together till you stand before Him and say, 'Only you could have brought such beauty out of such a chaotic life.'"
-Ravi Zacharias

Thought of the Day:  Basketball
Song of the Day:  Elton John-Can You Feel the Love Tonight

Yesterday...

was my mom's birthday, so we celebrated over the weekend.  I don't remember too many of her birthday celebrations, but I'd like to believe that this was her most memorable one yet.

While my mom was out celebrating with her best friends, I went on a baby hike with Michael to 우면산.  We were originally supposed to pull a crazy by going to 서락산 in one day, but time and logic told us otherwise.  I regret not going now; I think Michael does too?

Who am I kidding?  I'd probably be dead meat by now.

Thought of the Day:  Francis Chan

Song of the Day:  Coldplay-Yellow

This week's persecuted church: Pakistan

A Christian woman named Zubaida Bibi, aged 35 and mother of four was employed as sanitary worker in Crescent Enterprises, a garment factory in Korangi Industrial Area.

On October 12, 2011, during duty hours, Zubaida Bibi entered to clean factory bathrooms when one Muslim employee named Mohammad Asif followed her and locked door behind him.

When Mohammad Asif attempted to sexually assault Zubaida Bibi, she cried for help on which Mohammad Asif took out a dagger and slit the throat of Zubaida Bibi.

There are rising incidents of sexual harassment against Christian women workers on workplaces in Pakistan which go unreported due to cultural and social values.

The influential Muslims feel free to kidnap and rape Christian women in Pakistan where Islamic laws protect culprits. In kidnap and rape cases against Christian women, the Muslim culprits walk free from courts which keep victims silent on such abuses.

Thought of the Day:  in urban
Song of the Day:  Nirvana-Drain You

Balloons

"You can never tell where the winds will take you, what fantastic good fortune they can lead you to."
-Professor Sherman from The Twenty-One Balloons


We balloons act like we can control the course of our lives when in fact our destinations are governed by the direction of the winds.

We balloons act like we are so strong and smart when in fact our bodies can pop in an instant and our minds are merely puffed up with empty air.

We balloons act like our shapes, sizes, and colors are the result of our merit and worth when in fact our curves and shades were determined by our maker.

We balloons act like our rising to the heavens is dependent on our own efforts when in fact it is the hot air within that brings us closer to the stars.

We balloons act foolishly.  Yet our Owner gives us life and delights in us.

Thought of the Day:  Free Tuesdays
Song of the Day:  Bad Meets Evil feat. Bruno Mars-Lighters

Pulling Up

I did nine pullups for the first time in my life.  I think this is the best shape I've ever been in.

Thought of the Day:  Practice
Song of the Day:  2Pac & Elton John-Ghetto Gospel

This week's persecuted church: Eritrea

"They held a gun to my head and threw me in a cell." - these are the words of Eden, who fled Eritrea five years ago after being persecuted for her faith.

She faced regular beatings and assaults from police officers – just for practising her religion.

Eden’s years of abuse came to an end when policemen brandishing guns burst into the safe house where she and her friends were holding a prayer meeting.

The armed officials grabbed her and threw her into prison and she had to endure kickings and beatings from prison officers.

Eden is a Pentecostal Christian, a denomination which is forbidden in Eritrea, where the state religion is Orthodox.

Thought of the Day:  Man Date
Song of the Day:  John Mayer-Great Indoors

The Happiest Place on Earth

Thought of the Day:  Internet Addiction
Song of the Day:  Coldplay-In My Place

간현

Yeah, I'm kind of traveling a lot these days.  I think I need to take a break and just stay in Seoul this weekend.

Thought of the Day:  안동
Song of the Day:  YUNA-곰신