This past week I was able to meet with some Korean friends as well as some American friends who are now working in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. Then in between working on After School Activities for Quarter One, I was involved in MANY meetings with our new Headmaster and new Elementary Principal as we prepared for the new staff as well as the returning staff. I have been very impressed and excited with the direction our new Headmaster is bringing to YISS! I believe it is going to be a great year. Yes, there will be a lot of transition and a number of bumps in the road, but that is what our journey with the Lord is; not always smooth, but He is with us as we make our way through the bumps and pot holes in the road on which we are traveling. I believe with this fresh vision, direction and strong leadership, God is going to do some exciting things at YISS this year.
Above is our group of administrators preparing to meet on Thursday morning with Mr. Ray Johnson, our new Headmaster. Bottom left is our new CFO, Mr. Mike McCarthy. We enjoyed some great times together as we prepared for the 2014-15 school year.
We learned early on that Ray likes to begin meetings on time!! I am soooo excited about that! Above he is checking his watch to see the time. It was 8:30 AM and we began as soon as he checked his watch. :-) To his left is our new Director of Admissions, Lindsey Powell. The lady to his right is Mrs. Birmingham, the new Elementary Principal!
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Kara Minor - Grade 2D
Karen Henspeter - Elem. Librarian
Itiel Sarmiento - Grade 4B
Lauren Dean - Grade 4A
Kelly Han - Grade KB
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During this past week several of our returning teachers have been in to YISS to get their rooms ready for the first day of school on August 11th. I have been excited as our Elementary Principal, Mrs. Bev Birmingham, our new Assistant Elementary Principal, Mrs. Krista Roll, and I have walked through each of the elementary classrooms and offices praying for the teacher in each room as well as the children who will be in that room. As we made our journey through classrooms on Wednesday morning, we came to Grade 2B where Mr. Bennett was already working in his classroom. He had three wonderful helpers with him - three of his children, Lukas, Zachary, and Zoey! They were unpacking boxes for Mr. Bennett and I just had to get a picture. Below is a picture of Zoey (recently adopted from China) and two of her loving and protective brothers:
Lukas, Zachary, and Zoey Bennett in Grade 2B preparing the Classroom Library!
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Above is the yummy Doenjang Jjigae I enjoyed
with Jisan in Hyewha!
GGG and Jisan enjoying a great time!! |
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Here I am with Jinseok at Smoky Saloon in Itaewon for some tasty burgers and onion rings!
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I continue to communicate with Gunmo and JiSang, and am very eager to meet both of them. I have communicated with them via Kakao Talk and email, but really want to meet them face to face soon. Thanks for praying for them as they seek to serve God in their positions.
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Above is the Mongolia Team singing this morning at the NHM worship service. There are actually 10 members singing; one is hidden behind the young man in the front on the left. :-) Thanks for praying!
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Thanks so much for your great encouragement, wonderful love, faithful prayers, and continued support. Please enjoy this last week of July. Hard to believe August will be here soon!
Love, Gregg