Round 2

View of Bukhansan and Gyeongbok-gung from National Museum of Korean Contemporary History 대한민국역사박물관

I'm back! I had a lovely end to my first YAV year, wrapping up my time at Late Spring school and giving a final presentation in Seoul. After spending a month at home in Minnesota, I returned to Korea in September for orientation with my new cohort of YAVs, three from Korea and one from Texas. We have now concluded our orientation, received our site placements, and are enjoying the Chuseok holiday. I personally am getting ready to serve as a steward at the World Communion of Reformed Churches General Council in Chiang Mai, Thailand next week. I got placed on the translation/interpretation team, so wish me luck! When I return, I will start my internship with Fellowship with the Sufferers 고난받는이들과 함께 (고난함께), an organization that struggles in solidarity with victims of unfair firings, social disasters, and other issues.

Here's a visual summary of the past few months~

Last Day at Late Spring School 💔

Final Presentation in Seoul (I did it all in Korean! 🤯)

New YAV Cohort!

Visiting different organizations during orientation

(left 이음새 Footbridge, right National Council of Churches Korea NCCK)

Church Visits

(Diaspora Church, which serves the Filipino community in Korea; 좋은만남교회 Good Meeting Methodist Church; and 수국사 Hydrangea Temple covered in gold-leaf next door)

PROK General Assembly 

ft. Rev. Ji-hyun Oh, Stated Clerk of the PCUSA and Dr. Dianna Wright, Director of Ecclesial and Ecumenical Ministries for PCUSA

Reuniting with my Taizé fam <3

Museum Visits

식민지 역사 박물관 Museum of Japanese Colonial History in Korea

They had a special exhibit on the impeachment protests from late last year/earlier this year against former President Yoon Seok-yeol. It was cool to see such recent history already documented this way in a museum exhibit and to see the power of Korea's democratic spirit on full display.

Upstairs was the permanent exhibit on Japanese colonial history in Korea. There was a 벽관 "wall coffin" you could go into to experience what it was like to undergo that form of torture. Victims were forced to stand for days without even being able to leave to use the bathroom. The picture on the right is me attempting to sit.

이한열 기념관 Lee Han-Yeol Memorial Center

This was my first time learning about Lee Han-Yeol, who died fighting for democratization on June 9, 1987 as part of the June Democratic Struggle against Chun Doo-Hwan's military dictatorship. He was only 21 when the riot police hit him in the head with a tear gas grenade while he was protesting.

통일의집 Moon Ik-Hwan Reunification House

This time, they had an exhibit about Rev. Moon Ik-Hwan's younger brother Rev. Moon Dong-Hwan and his wife Moon Hye-rim and all of the churches and communities they started, which was fascinating!

근현대사기념관 Modern History Memorial Hall

Matching Day!

Today we got matched with our internship sites. Here is me with the executive director of 고난함께 Fellowship with the Sufferers, Rev. Jeon Nam-Byung.

Gentleness Born of Wisdom

Reflecting on the transition from last year to this year, these keywords come to mind:

Peace: What I came away with after my first YAV year. Before I left for my first year, I framed the year as my time in the wilderness to really connect to God and God's creation in a deep and personal way. I know now that no matter what happens, this foundation of peace and trust in God will not be shaken, and I could not be more grateful for this gift.

Gentleness, humility, and grace: These are my theme words for my second year. Gentleness—peace embodied. It takes groundedness and intention to move through the world in a gentle way. Fear is what makes us rush and try to control things in often harsh and forceful ways. Humility means continuing to trust in God's way over mine. It means giving things, especially outcomes, to God, instead of trying to carry and care for everything/everyone myself. It was one thing to feel at peace in Late Spring School's idyllic environment, but how do I stay humble and peaceful in the hustle and bustle of hyper-materialistic and capitalistic Seoul-life? This was one of my big concerns before starting my second year. My final word is grace, what most Korean people think my English name is. My Korean name Eun-hye 은혜 means God's grace. Now is the time to live into my name. Having grace with myself and others is one of my growing edges and where I know I have the potential to both deeply hurt people and to deeply love people. As I have a fellow cohort of YAVs this year and new co-workers, how can I have grace as we grow our relationships, through a continual process of mistakes and reconciliation? This is my challenge this year, as well as my greatest opportunity. I'm scared of messing up but excited for the potential of deep and long-lasting friendships. Please keep us all in your prayers as we embark on this new journey together!

This was the verse of the day earlier this week, and I thought it was so apt for this point in my journey:

13 Who is wise and knowledgeable among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be arrogant and lie about the truth. 15 This is not wisdom that comes down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Blessings to you all!