Last Sunday afternoon I met with my former SYME student and great friend, Nam Gyu (David) at a small coffee shop near Hongik University. Nam Gyu wanted to meet because he and his wife, Victoria, received word that they would leave on Wednesday for the USA to begin raising support for their ministry with Word of Life in Korea! We had a great time and it was so exciting to see the joy in Nam Gyu's face and heart as he shared how God has provided so many things to make this possible. I know they would love for you to be prayer supporters for them as they travel a lot during the six months in America. If you would like to learn how you can financially support this wonderful couple, please let me know. I will get the information to you.
This was the sign at the entrance of "Thanks Nature Cafe! They
love animals and there were many pictures of animals throughout
the cafe.
Here is Nam Gyu and GGG having coffee and a great time of sharing. It has been a joy to be a discipler of this young man. God has great things in store for Nam Gyu and Victoria!
Here are Ella and Anna, the two live creatures for this period at
"Thanks Nature Cafe." They were enjoying all of the people coming
to the Cafe.
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Sunday evening was a special time of joy and love as the administrators at YISS were invited to Barry and Bev Birmingham's home for a time of Christmas joy through fellowship, food, singing, and reading of the Christmas story from Luke. What a great time we had together. I want to also give you a prayer request. Right after our time on Sunday evening, Barry left to go to the USA because his mother took a turn for the worse. Then on Saturday, Bev informed me that his mother had passed away. I know Barry would value your prayers at this time.
Here are the YISS administrators in the Birminghams' living room on Sunday evening! Front Row: Mrs. Kelly Bennett (MS Assistant Principal), and Mrs. Birmingham (Elementary Principal). Second Row: Mr. Brian Remsburg (MS Principal), Mrs. Mary Ann Remsburg, Mr. Aaron Bennett, Mr. Barry Birmingham (Human Resource Director), Mrs. Linda Johnson, and Mr. Ray Johnson (Headmaster). Back Row: GGG, Mr. Jeremy Roll, Mrs. Krista Roll (Elem. Assistant Principal), Mrs. Robin Parsons (Curriculum Director), Mr. Lee Parsons (HS Assistant Principal), Mr. Mike McCarthy (CFO) and Mrs. McCarthy, Mr. Dave Baniszewski (HS Principal) and Mrs. Baniszewski.
Some of the many tasty foods Bev Birmingham had prepared!
My first plate of goodies!
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This past week was also the last class for almost all of our After School Activities. It was so much fun to visit each one of them and see how much they have been enjoying their classes. I was so full of joy each day as students came to the lobby after their classes with finished products proudly showing them to their parents and me. There were awards in for jobs well done in many of the classes and I so much enjoy seeing the love our instructors demonstrate to these cherubs each week! Here are a few more After School Activities' pictures for you to enjoy!
Above is a short video clip of the Kinder - Grade 2 cherubs in the Ballet After School Activities Program. A new teacher at YISS is Mrs. Williamson. She has been trained in Ballet and she took over the Ballet class in Quarter Two. On Wednesday she invited parents to come and see the girls perform a short piece from The Nutcracker Suite! The girls did a great job and the parents loved the performance!
Above is the 4th and 5th Grade Boys' Basketball After School Activity in Quarter Two!
This is the Ballet After School Activity for Kinder - Grade 2
students! Mrs. Williamson took this activity over this quarter
and has done an amazing job with these dear girls!
Two Arts & Crafts students with this past week's project!
Master Kim and his awesome young men in Taekwondo! He expects good behavior and gets it. These boys love Master Kim! I wish you all could see them perform. There are boys in Grades Kinder through 5 in the class. We have had several girls in previous quarters and they love it, too!
Master Kim presented a trophy to the Best Taekwondo Student in the Quarter based on character and performance! This quarter Henrich from Norway was sooooo thrilled to be selected!
This is the Sports After School Activity for boys and girls in Kinder
through Grade 3! Mr. Hong and his assistant to a nice job with them!
Another After School Activity is the String Performance Ensemble. This group is made up of mainly 2nd and 3rd grade students and directed by Ms. Han. Prior to the 4th & 5th Grade Christmas Concert, this group performed a 5 minute prelude of three songs they have been working on. Above is the video clip of one of their songs that evening!
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Tuesday evening I was invited by the four teachers on our fourth grade team at YISS! These four ladies are so much fun and full of joy and love! As I enjoyed an evening of food and fellowship at "The Flying Pan Blue," I could see why the students in their classes love them so much! Please continue to pray for these four ladies as they demonstrate Christ's love and joy each day - especially during this very busy season. Below is a picture of them and their names.
Here I am with the wonderful Fourth Grade Team! Left to Right:
Mrs. Lynch (4D), Ms. Dean (4A), GGG, Ms, Greaves (4C), and
Ms. Sarmiento (4B)! What a great time we had!
I tried their Meat Ball Sandwich with pesto sauce with
Butternut Squash Soup and salad! Yummy!!
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One of the things I love so much at Christmas time at YISS is all of the Christmas Concerts! Thursday evening was the 4th and 5th Grade concert. Dr. Harding selected the mini-musical, Fact or Fiction: The Christmas Edition as this year's concert! It was so thrilling to see and hear about 175 students sing joyfully, in a setting of a TV game show, about the real meaning of Christmas! They did a great job and parents loved it - some hearing the Christmas story for the first time.
Above are three of the leads in the musical singing and dancing!
The young lady in the middle is Katie, daughter of the pastor where
I am fellowshipping. She is quite the Game Show Hostess!
Here are all of the 4th and 5th grade students singing one of the numbers from the musical!
At the end this group of Kindergarten cherubs came out to portray
the birth of Jesus as the students sang! They were so cute and
it was a great finish to a wonderful concert!
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Saturday was a much anticipated day of joy and love! One of my dear friends who serves in the YISS Business Office got married!! It has been a real joy and delight for me to know Min Ah Jang since I arrived at YISS in 2010. I have become closer with her because she is the person that I need to work with concerning payments of the After School Activities! Min Ah has always been so helpful and has never lost her patience with me when I make some mistakes in the whole process. Min Ah got married to a wonderful young man, Syng Ryong Lee at 12 Noon on Saturday. Syng Ryong told me I should just call him "Dragon." :-) It was a beautiful ceremony and a delightful reception. Two of our teachers in the elementary school, Kara Everett and Lynn Greaves sang a beautiful rendition of From This Moment during the ceremony. They have both known Min Ah for almost 10 years and Min Ah wanted them to sing at her wedding. I posted that video on facebook. They did a beautiful job! Enjoy a few pictures from this grand and joyful event of true love!
Here I am with the bride, Min Ah Jang and another coworker in the YISS Business Office. We are able to get a picture taken with the bride prior to the wedding in Korea by coming early and going to the Photography Room!
Here are Syng Ryong and Min Ah right after being
pronounced husband and wife!
Main course at the reception!! So tasty!
The Bride and Groom in their Hanboks with their parents going
from table to table at the reception to greet each of the guests!
Here is the group of YISS staff at the table where I was seated. There were about five other tables of YISS staff. I am standing next to Mr. Ray Johnson, YISS Headmaster. What a joyful and loving wedding!!
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Saturday was also the morning of our Elementary Compassion Club's "Bundle Up" project at Seoul Station. I was so sad that I could not attend because of the wedding, but was full of joy to hear all about the special morning our students enjoyed as they gave packages of LOVE to many homeless persons in the very cold weather on Saturday! I had seen the kids preparing these packages of love on Thursday and then to hear about their experiences fills me with joy. These little ones are learning early on the meaning of true joy and kindness and love! Thanks again, to my sister, Gae and my friends from MCA, Ken and Judy Kiesler, for the beautiful scarves and hats they knitted and sent for this wonderful project!
I wasn't able to attend this year, but Ms. Weir (former Compassion Club leader) took a few pictures and this is one posted on facebook. At the top a homeless man is opening his love bag which included the scarf (from Judy Kiesler) he is pulling out. At the bottom are four of the cherubs in Compassion Club with Ms. Weir - all full of smiles from their wonderful experience!
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Once again this week I want to thank you for your continued encouragement, love, prayer, and support! I trust that you will take time during this very busy season to celebrate and share the joy and love that came to us that first Christmas!
Love, Gregg
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