Final Words for now (maybe)

It was not my plan to write anymore about this first semester at KNU. However, events and reflections seem to keep coming.
I cannot put into adequate words what I really feel today. We came to Korea "on a wing and a prayer" as they say-- 2 wings and much prayer would be more accurate! We were both somewhat anxious about what we were giving up and what awaited us; would we fit in, could we adjust to a new culture, a new lifestyle, etc. Though there have been some tough days and difficult adjustments we can both say we are glad we came. I still do not know why I am here and it is ok with me that I never really know (I am not even asking anymore!!). I am trying to live the adventure to the fullest and take each day as it comes. I leave the reasons with God, who may are may not share them all with me some day.
I come away impressed with God's world. We are in a international setting. Just the other day one of my Chinese students took Bonnie and me out to lunch. A Korean student came along. What a great time we had as 3 nationalities sat together loving each other and having fellowship.
And, our new friend Phuong is so precious to us--did I being a man use the word "precious?" Yes, there is no other word I can think of. We now have a Vietnam connection in our lives. She calls us when she gets lonely because her roommates all go home for a long weekend. She literally runs across the street to us when she sees us to talk with us and say "hello." The three of us went to see the movie, "Kung Fu Panda. (English)" We all laughed so hard. What is so beautiful about all of this is she chose us. God has been teaching me much about how He chooses us. He wants to be in close relationship with us! He wants to give us grace and freedom and life to the fullest. Every time I see Phuong I think of how God chooses us to be in Christ! It was Phuong who walked over to us one day and said she wanted to run around with us at the Everland Theme Park. We did not even know her name! We had never met her before. Now she is like a third daughter to us. Isn't that how God works in our lives--He walks over to us one day and says, "I want you!" Such lessons we learn in Korea.
And then, when I think we have seen and experienced much, I have a night like last night (Thursday). I went to Seoul to an orchestra concert (Bonnie had a class). This time I got to hear the music play. I never heard such beautifully played music. They played classical numbers by Dvorak, Rossini, and they played Pomp and Circumstance and many other pieces.
They then played 3 encores. During the second encore all the lights were turned off, only a few exit lights remained on. The stage was black. The orchestra began to play "You Raise Me Up." The crowd was spelled bound. It seemed that all of the 650 people present were holding their breath in such a sacred moment. I remembered my Breakthrough days since that is one of the BT songs. The lyrics tell how God raises me up to be more than I can be, I am strong when I stand upon His shoulders. Here I was in Korea listening to that and reminiscing how God raised me up from deep depression and burn out and gave me new life. I felt so alive sitting there in the dark with tears in my eyes. I will never hear that song the same way after last night. What an evening as the harmony of a chamber orchestra sent chills up and down my spine. Of all of the places I have been, and of all the people I have met this night topped everything. Did I fail to mention the orchestra had no music in front of them? They didn't need it. Neither did they have need of any light-- they were blind!! Yes! They played without missing a cue or a beat. When they turned the lights off and played "You raised me up" all I could do was cry. We were all in the dark! They played in the dark and we listened in the dark. For a moment in time we were united in the darkness, we were one. Such talent and commitment. It is the only blind orchestra in the world! And God let me experience it. It seems that God is showing me His great big world and His wonderful people! What a gift God has given to me! I was blinded, not physically, but blinded to the awesome world and life He has given me. I was blinded to the joy and adventures that God had in store for me. I was trapped in a blindness that greatly limited my ability to experience the intimacy of God and the excitement of His big world. In many ways the blind orchestra has better sight than I have had. They do not let their disability keep them from enjoying life to the fullest. Somehow I could hear Louie Armstrong singing "It's a wonderful world." I hope all of you can "see" what I saw last night. The world is so much bigger and better than we think it is. I rode back in the van with the blind viola player. We talked about the concert and fellowshipped all the way home. He thanked me for coming to hear him play. All I could say in response was, "It was my treat!"
I had another thought last night. Remember our first orchestra experience here when the director literally died on stage? I realized last night that the music goes on. If the music does not die, and it doesn't, think how much more valuable we are in God's eyes. As the music goes on it illustrates in some small way that we go on and on and on. If God loves music enough to keep it going even when directors die think how much He wants us to live forever in fellowship with Him.
Yes, I have learned much in Korea. I may have done little to contribute anything around here, but Koreans, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Africans have all done something in my heart that will never let me be the same. Some ask me if I am homesick in Korea. How can I be? Wherever I am in the world I am in God's great big wonderful world!
Until September, Ron and Bonnie signing off.