2017 Begins After a Week of Special Visits + Some Urgent Prayer Needs! Happy New Year!!

Yes, 2016 has come to a close.  Where did this extremely interesting (interesting is a safe word) year go?  So much happened and I am not planning to recap my year in this post! (I know that makes you happy!) :-)  This last week of 2016 was certainly busier than I expected and included some unexpected happenings impacting some wonderful friends of mine.  I believe I will share the events of the week beginning with Monday and going from there.

Monday

The week began and I thought I would be able to spend the day starting to organize my statements, receipts, etc. for the preparation of my income tax return.  I actually enjoy organizing all of the documents needed for the return, BUT am thrilled that I have a dear friend, Stephen Boush, a former CFO at YISS who also works with teachers and administrators with IRAs and tax returns.  He is so calm and patient with me.  I was also planning to use the day to relax and reflect.

I was especially wanting to spend time praying for my dear friend, Gunmo and his wife, Sujin. Gunmo had planned to meet with me prior to Monday, but called to say that he would not be able to meet.  He had to go with Sujin and her mother to the doctor for some tests before Sujin's mother's surgery.  Gunmo then told me that a cerebral aneurysm had been discovered in Sujin's Mom at a previous appointment.  They believe they caught it in time and have arranged for surgery (a coil embolization) on January 3 at Seoul National University Hospital.  Surgery was originally scheduled for January 9, but Gunmo informed me on Saturday that it will be January 3.  That is the date they really wanted. I know that both Gunmo and Sujin would appreciate your prayers now as her Mom prepares for the surgery, and then on January 3.  The surgeon said that there is always a risk, although lower in Sujin's Mother's particular case, when this surgery is performed. Thank you for praying for my dear friends!

Here is a photo of Gunmo and Sujin on their Wedding Day.  Just thought you might like it as a reminder to pray for them and Sujin's Mom - especially on January 3!

Another unexpected "joy" on Monday was paying for my first, and hopefully last, traffic violation! In Korea, almost all traffic violations are captured on video cameras and then pictures sent by registered mail to your apartment with your payment amount.  My registered letter for my parking violation (I apparently parked where I wasn't allowed to park) arrived at my apartment when I am at work. It took a number of phone calls, translations, etc. to find out where I had to go to pick up the registered mail. After going to City Hall in Pyeongtaek, I discovered I had to go to the Post Office, but I didn't know which one. :-)  The City Hall lady was wonderful.  She found out and wrote the address in Korean for me so that I could show the Taxi driver.  I went on Monday and after taking a number at the front reception area, I was informed that I had to go up two floors.  I went there and the registered letter with delightful pictures and time stamps of my violation was given to me.  I took it to the bank and they were able to help me pay it very quickly.  I discovered that parking in the wrong place can be expensive!  My violation cost me 32,000 Won!  That is about $27.00 in USD.  So much fun!  NOT! :-)  One of the reasons I never wanted to drive in Korea is finding a convenient parking place!  I think I now have found some that are legal. :-)

Yeppers, that is my car, but I am still trying to figure out where this is.  I know the pictures were taken on December 12 between 5:27 PM and 5:48 PM, but I can't remember where it was. :-)

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Tuesday

Tuesday was a much better day! My good friend and colleague at ICS-Pyeongtaek, John Richards, met me at the main gate of Camp Humphreys to get me on the Army Base to do some banking at the Navy Federal Credit Union and purchase some goodies at the Commissary on base.  I was very grateful for this and treated John to a delicious lunch at the Alaska Mining Company restaurant on Base.  We had a very nice time of fellowship and catching up.  John spent a lot of his Christmas Break without his wife.  Pam had gone back to the States for Christmas because of a new grandson. She has returned and I know John is very happy! :-)

John Richards and GGG at the Alaska Mining Company Restaurant at Camp Humphreys!

  I enjoyed this Cajun Salad with chicken, 

          shrimp, and smoked sausage!

John enjoyed the Country Fried Steak with mashed   

potatoes and veggies!                      

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Wednesday

As many of you know, I have been enjoying times together with a former ICS-P student, Chris Haynes, who is now planning to attend Appalachian Bible College.  He came to know Christ as his Savior after graduating from ICS-P and is so excited about following the Lord.  Chris's sister, Shannon, is back in Pyeongtaek for a Christmas Break.  Shannon is 14 years old and attending a boarding school in Malaysia near their father.  Chris has been trying to get her together with me since she has been home and we were finally able to do that on Tuesday.  Chris, Shannon, and I met at AK Plaza and enjoyed some very delicious food at one of the unique restaurants in AK Plaza.  We had a wonderful conversation and then they invited me to watch a new movie, Rogue 1: A Star Wars Story. We enjoyed a great time.  Please pray for Chris as he is now working on getting his I-20 visa from the US Embassy in Seoul to go study at ABC.  You can pray for Shannon as she departed on Friday to return to Malaysia.

GGG, Shannon, and Chris preparing to enjoy our delicious burger specialties!

       Shannon enjoyed the "Cook Your Own" Beef!  Very tasty!

Chris and I enjoyed already prepared beef burgers served like this!

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Thursday

Another great day! After trying several times to meet, I was finally able to catch up with my dear friends from SYME days.  It was so special to meet David and Annie Kim and their growing family in Pyeongtaek at Ashley's Buffet!  David and Annie have two children ( a boy and a girl) right now, but on January 24th Annie will have a C-Section to give birth to another son!  They are all very excited and I know they would value your prayers.  Please pray for this wonderful family as they serve the Lord together in South Korea.

Here we are at Ashley's Buffet getting ready to enjoy the scrumptious buffet!  So many choices!  What a great time we had!

Here is the David and Annie Kim family!  Another little boy will arrive on January 24th!

My first plate of taste treats!

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Thursday evening I was able to meet with the High School Principal of ICS-P, Charlie Mooney.  We wanted to get together just to talk about a lot of things concerning ICS-P for the 2017-18 school year. Charlie will become the K-12 Principal next year.  We had a wonderful dinner at a Thai Restaurant! And guess what?  GGG forgot to take pictures! :-(  The food and the fellowship were both very excellent!  You may remember that Charlie's wife, April, is expecting their first natural born child, a little girl in the next couple weeks.   I know they would value your prayers as they prepare to be the parents of three; they already have two adopted children.

This is a picture from December 16 when the FLT + met.  We were enjoying lunch at Puffin Restaurant.  Charlie and April Mooney are on the far right. On the left are Tony Kuhn and Jon Greener.

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Friday

I was invited to go to Seoul with my excellent friends, Tony and Sue Kuhn, on Friday!  They had just returned from a Christmas and Anniversary trip to Guam and we enjoyed a subway train ride to Itaewon to enjoy the delicious food at one of our favorite eating establishments, The Original Pancake House!  We had a delightful time of fellowship traveling to and from Itaewon as well as during our time at The OPH and then at one of my favorite bookstores in Itaewon, What the Book?!  I believe Tony and Sue would value your prayers as they seek the Lord's direction for their next place of ministry.  Tony was offered a teaching position in Guam, but they have a number of things they need to decide before accepting any offer.  Thank you for praying for them.

GGG with Tony and Sue Kuhn at The Original Pancake House in Itaewon.  Getting ready to enjoy our food and fellowship!

My plate of Strawberry and Banana Crepes with a side 

     of sausage and two dishes of whipped cream! :-)

Sue's delicious Potato and Egg Hash with pancakes!

Tony enjoyed the Country Fried Chicken & Gravy  

with a side of OPH's famous thick-cut bacon!       

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When I arrived home to my apartment on Friday evening after the visit to Seoul, I received word from one of our Middle School teachers and Athletic Director at ICS-P, Jon Greener, that his mother and Step Dad were involved in a head-on collision in Montana. Both were killed almost instantly and taken Home to heaven.  Jon and his wife, Tina along with their two children have been going through many heartaches the last couple months.  Many of you have been praying for them.  You may recall that Tina's mother has been undergoing treatments for breast cancer.  I shared with you that Jon had an incident at one of our Professional Development sessions back in November.  The doctors thought it was a mild stroke at first, then maybe a slipped disc; they are still not sure what it was.  Then the children were sick and then Jon got the flu.  He had an injury when he was conducting the ICS-P boys' basketball practice.  During the Christmas Break, Jon twisted his ankle getting out of bed and was laid up for a few days.  It just seemed like it was one thing after another and then he received the news of his parents being killed.  I spoke with Jon by phone Friday evening and he was in shock. Tina loved his parents very much and felt like a daughter.  She is taking it very hard! Their two children are also having a difficult time with this sudden loss of their grandparents.  I know the Greeners would really value your prayers right now!  The staff is collecting some money to help with travel expenses so that they can go home for the memorial service and be with family members. Please pray for them as arrangements are being made.  Please pray that we will be able to collect sufficient funds to help them make this journey.  Thanks so much.

Jon shared this photo of his Mother and Step Dad when he was home to visit them.

Here are Jon and Tina at a Christmas dinner recently.  Thanks for your prayers.

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Although this first week of 2017 is still a week of vacation for staff and students, it is going to be busy.

1) I would appreciate your prayers for our FLT as plans are made to help Mr. Greener and his family.

2) Your prayers for the FLT as we work on ideas that can help out our budget are greatly appreciated. It is very tight at present since a number of students

3) We still have an immediate need for an ELD (ESL) teacher/coordinator.  This would actually help us increase our enrollment.

4)  I just received the first rough cut of a promo video that my wonderful friend, Jordan Ingram, prepared for ICS-P!  He and his wife were in Korea back in October and he videotaped many hours of footage for the preparation of the video.  He has done an outstanding job and now our FLT needs to make any adjustments, corrections, recommendations, etc. to Jordan for a final cut!  We are excited and are praying that this will be greatly used to increase enrollment.

5) There are a few reports for our NICS Home Office that I need to be working on throughout this week and the next.

That will do it for this week.  Thank you for reading all of this.  Thank you for your love, care, encouragement, emails, regular mail, prayers, and support in 2016!  You are greatly appreciated!  I trust that 2017 will be a wonderful year for you and your family!

Love, Gregg

2016 Christmas Joy and Refreshment!!

As I write this post, it is Christmas Day in Pyeongtaek! Many of you are just waking up to Christmas morning!  I trust that you will enjoy a very special and meaningful time with your family and friends! At Exciting Dae Kwang Church, we enjoyed a delightful Christmas Eve service last night and a wonderful Christmas celebration this morning.  I hope that you have a great day of celebrating the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ and the real meaning of Christmas.

My week began last Sunday after church on Sunday morning.  I had made reservations for two nights at the Grand Hyatt in Itaewon (part of Seoul) where I had spent six wonderful years at Yongsan International School of Seoul.  It was a special time of refreshment as well as joy as I was able to have a special reunion with two dear friends, JiSang and Chang Yong!  JiSang met me at Nambu Bus Terminal and then drove me to the Grand Hyatt to check in.  Then we met Chang Yong in Itaewon and we decided (actually JiSang decided) to eat at the Original Pancake House in Itaewon. (JiSang LOVES their thick-cut bacon!)  What a great time we enjoyed together.  These two young men are so wonderful and continue to be a blessing to me.  Chang Yong is studying and is not working presently.  His studies will lead him to a new type of position.  Please pray for him as he seeks what God wants for him.  JiSang is still working for his uncle's company.  He is doing lots of traveling the world for the company these days.  He is going to go beyond my 40 countries if he keeps his present pace up.  Please pray for him as he works and travels.

JiSang, Chang Yong, and GGG at the Original Pancake House preparing to enjoy our yummy feasts!

Chang Young's tasty Cheeseburger!

JiSang's BIG breakfast for one skinny boy.  This

                          is before eating!

Now the "after" pic of JiSang's clean plate and

large stomach! :-)                 

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After our delicious dinner (actually breakfast at dinner time), Chang Yong took the subway back to his home and JiSang delivered me to the Grand Hyatt.  I enjoyed two wonderful and relaxing nights at the Hyatt.  I was also able to do a lot of walking in Itaewon and visit some of the places I enjoyed when I lived in Itaewon.  I was able to do some extra sleeping, reading, and relaxing!  I enjoyed my room on the 11th floor and was able to get some nice pictures of the view both at night and in the morning from my room.

Here I am in one of the lobby areas in the Grand Hyatt!  The hotel was so beautifully decorated for Christmas!

The big tree in the main lobby!

The Ice Rink at the Hyatt from the lobby area.

The Hyatt Ice Rink as viewed from my 11th-floor room!

Monday morning from my 11th-floor room!

Monday evening from the main entrance to the Grand Hyatt showing the Namsan Tower at night!

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When I returned to Pyeongtaek, I received some private messages from Carmen, one of our substitute teachers at ICS-Pyeongtaek.  As some of you may remember, my dear friends from Mercer Christian Academy days, Ken and Judy Kiesler, have sent me hand-knitted scarves and caps each Christmas for about 5 years.  They knew that I would not be at YISS this Christmas but wondered if we could use some scarves and caps to distribute to a needy group.  I asked around and discovered that Carmen volunteers at a local home for unwed mothers and they were in need of warm clothing for the unwed mothers.  She was delighted to take the box of scarves and caps Ken and Judy sent and was able to deliver them on December 18th! The ladies were so delighted!

Here is part of the letter that Carmen sent to me about this particular home.  (I have deleted the actual name of the home since Carmen asked that its location not be given to protect the women.)

"The Home is a home for unwed mothers that have nowhere else to go and no means at all to live. They come from all different types of backgrounds - some are escaping abusive marriages; some are foreign brides and their husbands and/or his family no longer want them as part of their family; some are young college girls that believed the false promises of a young man; etc. Korea is changing but not fast enough in some areas. Families will turn their backs on their unwed pregnant daughter because of the shame. Businesses will rarely hire a single mom so how on earth will she be able to provide for herself let alone a precious new baby? The Home has opened their doors but is only able to accommodate 8 pregnant and post-pregnancy mothers at a time. Even though they receive 0 government subsidies, they still have to follow building regulations to keep their permit to offer living accommodations for these mothers.

The mothers are able to live at this home for 6 months after delivery. A hospital in Suwon volunteers and schedules planned c-sections for these moms for free. Within the 6 months, if they have not figured out a way to provide a home and income for themselves, then the mothers will have to leave their child in an orphanage. Some mothers leave right after delivery because they don't even want to get attached to the baby in fear that they can not figure out a way to survive alone in Korea with a baby. Most of these moms show up to the Home literally owning only what they are wearing. One young mother, currently there, is 8 months pregnant and they didn't have a coat big enough to cover her tummy. Someone had given us a wool maternity coat that fit her perfect! We hardly ever get maternity coats donated.

God is Good!!! A group of us try to go once a month to deliver donations because there typically is one, if not a few new moms there who are in need of basic necessities. We also prepare an American style dinner for them and bring luxury items like fresh fruit!

We did get to hear one good story yesterday during out visit. One new mother was there last month and we didn't see her yesterday. We asked if she was sleeping or if she was already gone. We were told that she had sent a photo of her and her new son to her family. No one responded to her except for her grandfather. He invited her and the baby to his home! He will help her get back on her feet and take care of the little boy while she is working. We were thrilled to hear this news!!! I know that you asked for something brief but I am very passionate about this home along with the orphanage I visit on Thursdays with 4-8 yr olds. Again, please let Ken and Judy know how very much their gifts from the heart were appreciated."

Judy Kiesler's hand-knitted scarves and caps ready to be distributed!

Some of the ladies at the Home enjoying some of the gifts including the scarves and caps that were distributed by Carmen and other volunteers!

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Thursday evening, I was invited to the home of Mike and Alicia Nicholes for a delicious dinner and some great fun with them and their four children.  Mike is the Pastor of the Exciting Dae Kwang Church where I am in fellowship.  I was so delighted to be able to spend time with this delightful family and get to know each other even better.

The Nicholes' Christmas tree!

Alicia Nicholes putting the final touches on the very delicious dinner we enjoyed!

My first helping of Alicia's homemade Hearty Bean & Barley Soup

                 and homemade sourdough bread!  SO good!

Dessert:  Homemade Apple Crisp with Caramel Ice Cream!! :-)

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Most of Thursday and Friday I was spending much of time finishing the Christmas Eve message that Mike Nicholes had asked me to share at Dae Kwang's special Christmas Even service.  Then on Saturday morning, I woke up and was delighted to see that we had received some snow during the night!  I have always loved snow on Christmas Eve day and Christmas Day!  It was just enough snow to get me all set for the Christmas Eve service but not too much so that we did not have to cancel the service.  It was a special evening with lots of singing of Christmas songs.  The children had also prepared a little drama to share the story of Christmas.  Following the children's drama, I introduced the audience to my longtime friends, Faith and Zippy!  I was using them in my Christmas Eve message entitled Why All the Fuss About Christmas?.  I shared three reasons why we have Christmas from Luke 2:8-14.  It's a time for celebration, a time for salvation, and a time for reconciliation.  I was thankful that the message was well-received, by the children as well as the adults.

                              Saturday morning snow!!!

Saturday morning snow right beside where I park my car!

    Program cover for the Christmas Even service!

Order of the Christmas Eve service!            

The children in their costumes as they begin to tell the story of Christmas!

Some of the angels!

          Mary "pondering all of this in her heart!"

 Faith and Zippy are usually found on my bed, but they  

made an appearance at the beginning of my message at  

the Christmas Eve service.  They are 65 years old so it  

is a bit more difficult to get them off the bed for special 

appearances! :-)                            

GGG sharing about Faith and Zippy during the Christmas Eve message!

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On Christmas Day when I came out of my apartment to go to church, I found a little package that my new neighbors in Apartment 301 had left for me.  They are a young couple and both speak very good English.  I met them when they first arrived and we chatted a little but have not been able to connect because of work, etc.  I am hoping that we can have some time during this little break from school.

This was the gift left at my front door from my new neighbors!!

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Then following the Christmas service on Christmas morning, my new friend, Chris Haynes, treated me to lunch at Subway near the church.  I really enjoy the times that Chris and I can spend together. He continues to ask many questions about his desire to follow the Lord.  Please continue to pray for Chris as he seeks to follow the Lord.  Sorry, but we got so involved in our discussions over lunch that I failed to get a photo. :-(

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When I got back to my apartment, I then opened the remaining gifts from my sister, Gae.  Gae had my name this year and had already had me open a few of the gifts that could spoil if not opened before Christmas.  So I enjoyed opening the remaining gifts today.  Thanks so much, Gae! I love all of them!

The remaining gifts that my Christmas name, Gae, gave me!  She sent me some glazed pecans not knowing that I had made some of my own to give away.  Very happy to receive her pecans since mine had disappeared!  Thanks, Gae!

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Later on Sunday, I went to my favorite coffee shop, BC 800 Coffee & Tea to see my friend, Chang Sik

My extra Christmas gift from Chang Sik at BC 800.  I love the little puppy!

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You may remember that last Friday our Field Leadership team + met for an all day Planning Day.  I did not have a photo of the entire group together, but one of the members sent me a couple this week. As you think of us, I would appreciate your prayers as we seek to complete our planning for next year and complete this year in the black.  Right now, it is a bit tight.  Thanks for praying for us as you think of us.

Here is our ICS-P Field Leadership Team + at our lunch on December 16.

Someone took this picture during our FLT+ discussions at the Haselmans' home.  It appears I am in deep thought! :-)

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I will close this week with Ben Coyner's most recent update on his bout with tongue cancer.  He shares some excellent news this week.  I know he would continue to value your prayers.

Here are Ben's Dec 19 Prayer Updates:

Answered Prayers!

1) Praise God that YOU and many others have formed an amazing support group of prayers and encouragement.

My doctor emphasized that a strong support group is vital to treating cancer. I am blessed to count you as part of my tongue-saving support team.

2) Praise God that today's CT scan has confirmed that my cancer tumor has shrunk so much that it is difficult to detect.

The surgeon stated that this confirmed his examination of me on Wednesday that showed little evidence of the hard tumor on my tongue that he had found last month!

3) My neck lymph node metastasis shrunk 25% since three weeks ago. If there is still some mass, a biopsy can be done to determine if it's just a dead clump of cells with no cancer (meaning no surgery!).

4) Praise God that my treatment plan will still attack any remaining tumor for more than one month after ending concurrent chemo & radiation therapy. This means that I probably won't need to extend more treatment in three weeks.

5) Praise God that Winter Break has begun! I am able to relax more while I finish my current treatment plan (until Jan 6).

Prayer Requests:

1) That if this treatment plan doesn't completely eradicate the tumor by January 6, then January will be a month that the tumor will disappear without further radiation sessions.

2) That the elimination of cancer tumors will allow me to avoid surgery.

3) That I will find positive ways to endure significant radiation side effects over the next several weeks.

4) That I won’t be disappointed with unfavorable treatment results, but focus on the eternal blessings that I have through Christ and my relationship with God.

5) That my time helping high school students during Winter Break will allow me to be a more dynamic encourager and effective witness.

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As always, I want to thank you for your faithful encouragement, care, love, notes, emails, cards, prayers, and support.  You mean so much to me.  I hope that you will have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy this last week of 2016.  I trust that you will enjoy a very special year in 2017!

Love, Gregg