Avenues He Used Part 2

Well, well, well

I've decided to do a Part 2 of my first blog, 'Avenues He Used!'  Just when you thought God had already used so many things to get you where you needed to be.....WAIT...there's more! *Shouts*
I failed to mentioned in my first blog some other great things God did prior to coming to Korea and I'm sure even this part 2 won't do His works any justice. It's endless. There isn't enough trees to get it all down. However, I attempt nonetheless! I just have to brag on my daddy. =) Hope you are encouraged.

Some of you may know, I attend Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. It's a dynamic Church where Marcus D. Cosby is the Senior Pastor. I attended Sunday School there which I have been accustomed to doing since I was little, but at Holman Street Baptist Church (the church I grew up in).  So even out of college, I was back in Sunday School when I got back to Houston. Attending Sunday School as an adult is definitely different  because I was able to indulge in deeper conversation and understand it more. I have great Sunday School teachers and members that always enlightened and challenged my walk with God. Church service on Sunday is great but closer fellowship and study through Sunday school is where it's at. I digress. So why is this significant? Well, close fellowship with other believers is how we can grow. In addition, God used people there to help me get here.

After Sunday school, of course we would pray and take prayer requests. For a whiiiile my prayer request was, "I'm still looking for a job." Maybe you read my last blog titled, 'J-O-B.' So if you didn't know before, He's a prayer answering God! Anyway, as time went ON and the prayers kept going UP, I was able to announce to my Sunday school class that I landed a job in S.K as an EFL teacher. Everyone was joyful and even mentioned that two of our members in the class taught in Korea (one had just got back and one was still there). Isn't that something! I was shocked. My Sunday school teacher, Brother Humber got me in contact with two of them (one in which I knew). I started emailing them back and forth and received great and vital information about teaching/living in Korea.

Sarah, specifically who was back in Houston gave me information about jobs I shouldn't accept (like Hagwons, private schools) in Korea. She had heard horror stories about people that worked in Hagwons. Well, I'm here now and have also been hearing them. Smh Isn't God good? So glad I dodged a bullet. I wouldn't have known. It's one thing to read reviews online but talking to someone face to face that you can trust is priceless. My heart goes out to those that go through hard times at these Hagwons. Some of my friends have dealt with it but gratefully, they have found better schools! Mind you, I'm not saying that all Hagwons bad. It's simply not true.

I would be lying to you if I said I wasn't grateful that I haven't had to deal with these things. However, I've had my own set of issues at my school. I mean hey it's a job. Problems are bound to arise wherever you work. Some are more dire/stressful than others though. I was and still am extremely grateful for my Sunday School class, Sarah and all the help she has given me even now through email! Of course, I knew about some things through research, but people lie and false advertisement exists (generally speaking) and of course there are just some aspects about living in a foreign country you WON'T know until you get there! But she gave me the scoop on things I would not have known on my own. Won't God send people? He will. Before, I left she even gave me a 'Korea Smart' book, her Korean cell phone and charger. That's why being here, some days I just shake my head and say, 'Thank you' because it doesn't make sense to me. lol God goes over and beyond all the time. My blog link is 'lt6' (living testimony). The testimonies are endless. They keep coming. So even when you think God has already used so many things to get you where you need to be...WAIT...there's more! And these are the 'Avenues He Used Part 2.'
 *Shouts and logs out* because it's time for me to go to work..lol

Have a good one. God bless.

With love,
Michelle

Church.

In one of my posts, I said that I could go on a long tangent about my church but that was another post for another day well here's for another post. :)

As a child in my mother's womb I have been going. It didn't matter if I didn't feel well that particular Sunday or just didn't want to go...I've been going and not just on Sunday. I went on Sunday, Wednesday and even Saturday. 

Even though, I have been attending church since before birth, I honestly was not concerned about finding a "church home" here in Korea. It was the least of my concern. Maybe, I sound like a heathen? lol Well, maybe. I just wasn't that concerned.  I was going into unknown territory prepared for whatever may or may not come. However, there is nothing and I mean nothing like being around other believers. So even though, I wasn't expecting to find a church (because of language), God blessed me with one. And not just ANY one. A solid one.

I mentioned in a previous post about my co-worker inviting me to go. I went and it was in English! The pastor is American. No translators. I was shocked and so grateful. The pastor and his wife are from Michigan and attended a Bible College in Chicago. They are the most laid-back, sincere and down-to-earth couple. Gotta love them.

The messages I've heard at IEC (International English Church, a mission of Sungnam Church) are always lead by the SPIRIT. God is definitely there. The church is a mission of a Korean church. The membership includes foreigners and English speaking Koreans. The Bible studies are so in depth as we are not just being preached to, but are able to discuss the Bible in a small-group setting and learn how to learn/study. The resources I've been given have helped me grow tremendously.

For a short while, I was helping out with children's church, but now I am apart of the praise team!!! I love it. Oh yeah, we've been reading the whole Bible as a church (Bible in 180 Days). We check in with a member of the church through email every week to let them know we are on track. The accountability has been great! That is one major thing I have been learning since attending IEC: accountability and growing as a body. We need each other to grow spiritually, just like in any other area of life. You won't get far alone, right? We make progress through relationship...

J-O-B

Hello. How are you?
I'm fine, thank you.. And you? ha-ha

... Definitely a common greeting everyday in an EFL classroom until the students learn it well enough to move on to a less formal greeting. It sounds so robotic. However, usually when they say it like that now, they are just joking around because they know it so well.

You may be wondering what my job is like. Well, here it goes.

Classes: 

I must say my job is unique.  I teach for a education University. However, we serve elementary schools in the countryside. I work at 4 different elementary schools. I also teach adult classes inside the University.  My first year in Korea, I taught at the university (3 adult classes), 3 elementary schools, and a hospital (medical English). I had about 12 different classes in all. Sounds crazy. Right?" It's actually not so bad. I have a Korean co-teacher who drives me to the elementary schools. Our commute is about an hour round trip everyday.  The drive is amazing as Korea has so many beautiful mountains and scenery. Not exciting for my co-teacher though since she has to drive. :/  Nothing has changed (I stay being chauffeured) :/ :-) lol Fortunately, we only go to one school a day. 

March 2012-February 2012 (School-year)

My first year, I taught 1-6th grade. This year, I teach 3-6th grade. My co-teacher and I teach the same classes but at different times. Can you imagine? I walk into a 5-6th grade class my first day excited as can be attempting to make my speech as plain as possible for my students to understand. It hit me the first day that my students English ability was very low! I work in the countryside and the student's English ability is lower than students in the city. I had my work cut out. I had an extremely tough first day (language barrier, lack of teaching materials, no guidance for the most part). I just received my class schedule, coffee and an example lesson plan /teachers report from my co-teacher. I'm just glad, I had teaching experience so I wasn't completely lost. However, I would've liked a tad bit more instruction. Something! Lol. Not at all.  

Kidos/teaching:

 It was so funny, the first week I walk into a third grade class a student says, "Afreeca!" I just giggled.. They just need to be educated that's all. :) Not all black people were born and raised in Africa! A good lesson for the babies. :)  I guess they were surprised when I told them, I was from "Me-gook" (America). They were so cute. After time went by, my students got accustomed to me and we were able to communicate. We've often been frustrated with each other but it comes with the territory. I've learned to make it plain, plain as an EFL teacher!!! My teaching ability has been stretched to degrees I didn't think we're possible!!! Did you hear me? lol STRETCHED!! I love what I do. Communication is so important in life just in general, so I'm a better communicator as a result of my experience here. Oh yeah, my adult classes are bundles of fun. It's pretty laid- back (conversational English). Some of them have even become pretty good friends. :)

Co-teaching:

As I said, my co-teacher and I  teach the same students but not together (maybe it shouldn't be called co-teaching)? She mainly uses the textbook to teach and I use the book as well but mostly do activities/games with them. It's perfect because "learning center activities" was almost all I did in college. Learning by doing....esp good for an EFL classroom.

English camp/vacation:

 During summer and winter "vacation" my school (Uni) as many others hold English camps. The first summer, I had the opportunity to help plan the camp which was stressful but again a great learning experience! I feel so equipped now. We have a day camp and dorm camp.  I had the opportunity to teach math, science and they had a play performance. With the camps during winter and summer break, I have 2 weeks off for a vacation in all. I know. Not you're average teaching position. As you know, in the states, teachers have an extensive break during Summer and Winter. But it's all good because the camps are enjoyable. I spend less money too! :D

I always worried that I wouldn't be able to develop a close relationship with my students due to language barriers but as time went on, I realized that it is possible. If a lesson fails miserably, I totally have our relationship to fall back on! :-))) Sheesh thinking about it is making me sad. I'm going to truly miss them when it's over. I hope this gave you a good picture into my work life.