Clue 3

I'll be visiting an old teammate,
mission intern, Erin Eidenshink,
January 6th is the fast approaching date!
Any guesses, yet? What do you think?

Guessing Game

I'm going on an adventure,
As some of you must know.
The first clue is called a ger,
The second clue is snow.



Have you guessed it yet?
More clues, soon. Please dont' fret.

Farewell Letter

As you can see, I haven't posted in quite some time. I apologize for that. It isn't for lack of interesting events.

I have resigned from my position at Wesley Mission Language School.

This may seem like a sudden decision, but it is one that has been prayed over for many months.

I have had great moments over the last 6 months, and have really enjoyed spending time with the children and the Korean Methodist church.

I feel that the specifics of my departure should not be aired for everyone in cyberspace to read, but I would love to have a one-on-one e-mail conversation with anyone who would like more information. mairgood (at) tfc.edu

Briefly:I tried very hard to make a difficult situation work, but ultimately decided that my time in Korea had come to an end and that I would be better off in a different environment.

I will be leaving Korea in early January. I will not be going to America. I have plans made, but until I recieve final comfirmation and buy my plane ticket I will keep everyone in suspense as to the nature of my next move.

Thank you for your prayers and support during this difficult time. I covet your prayers over the next few weeks as I finish out my time here and move on with my life. It has been truly amazing to see God throw open doors in these last few days for my next step in ministry.

Love, Michael.

Thanksgiving worhsip at Chung Dong Methodist Church. The oldest Protestant church in Korea. I try and fit at least one worship service per month at this historic church into my schedule.



This is Dr. Fish. You soak your feet in a tub of warm water and tiny fish who EAT THE DEAD SKIN FROM YOUR FEET!




My kids are putting on little plays. It's a lot of fun to see who the natural leaders are in the group. Apparently, fishermen wear purple scarves.



So much fun.



Lunch.

Telling the story

I enjoy telling a good story. I always have. In Korea, meals are eaten in silence. It’s perhaps the most unnerving experience for this red-blooded American. I’m so accustomed to the American way of doing things. Growing up, meals were a primary story sharing time. Winter morning bowls were filled with oatmeal, the table filled with the sharing of the THE story – as my sister and I devoured our brown-sugared oatmeal, our mother taught us to devour God’s word. Lunch at school was always a chance for students to talk with other students. After being shushed all day, at lunch we were given the freedom to talk. Dinner with the family was the chance to talk about the day, to share fears and concerns, and to laugh together.

I think it’s important to share stories. And in Korea, at non-meal times, I’m never shy to tell a story. I blog stories from my life(perhaps less than I should) at michaelairgood.blogspot.com , I read stories to my kindergarten kids every morning, I share stories of missteps and outright fails with my American friends one town over, I teach my older students Bible verses – sometimes acting them out to make sure that everyone gets the point – and try to work stories I learned around the kitchen table into my lessons, and I share the events of the day with my homestay-family in Korea and my parents at home in the states(via Skype.com).

So I’m thankful for the opportunity to share my story with you. When you read my stories – the adventures and mishaps of a young missionary spending his first full year overseas, the hopes and dreams of a future General Board of Global Ministries missionary, and the tales of a student just trying to make sense of his surroundings – please remember that YOU are part of my story. If you’re reading this, you have contributed to my life and my calling. You have shared your story with me, you have lived the resurrection before my eyes and helped teach me how to serve the savior.

Thank you for all of your support, your kind words and affirmation, and your daily prayers. Together we can all share the story we’re meant to tell.

Things I miss

The other day I bought a carton of milk. Usually I buy plastic bottles, but this week I bought a cardboard carton.

Now, Korean food utilizes A LOT of garlic. Well, I must have left my carton of milk open just a tiny little bit, because the milk absorbed the strong garlic smell that possesses our fridge.

I finished about half of the glass of garlic flavored milk before realizing what was wrong. It was definitely a GROSS experience.

I love being here - but, living overseas always provides experiences that make me miss the things of home.

So, with that backdrop; I introduce my list of things I miss.

Reeses Cups
Vanilla flavoring
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Friends who would die or kill for me (depending on the situation)[OK, I still have these friends - it's just that they're far away!]
Driving
Midnight Burger King runs
Mexican food
My family (This is a stream of consciousness list - I probably miss my family more than Mexican food ... but there's no order to this list)
My cat, Vassya
Goodwill & Salvation Army shopping
Stove-top stuffing
Casseroles
Ovens
Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream
My house
The train tracks behind my house
Dinner parties
Libraries
Newsweek
Dr. Smith and our weekly meeting
Church in English
Hymns in English
Mangos
Large African-American women
Giving big hugs to good friends


I like this list. I've enjoyed taking this moment to think about the things of home. I've been in Korea for over 5 months, and there are things I will miss when I leave this place, too.

I'm taking more pictures to convince myself I don't need a new camera.

My older kids are TERRIFIED of cameras. This photo shows one of my older kids hiding under a desk. This is what you get when you hide from the camera.


This is one of my favorite kindergarten students. His last name (and, of course, his nick name) is Quwock. Just say it once, it's really a lot of fun to say.



Obama is watching you.



And, last but certainly not least, I finally convinced my wonderful homestay family to gather together for a picture. My little sister, Moon Sing Oo, is NOT happy about getting her picture taken. Don't they just look wonderful?