I even was able to add a new member to the Director's Advisory Council (DAC) at ICS-P. There were only two members on this council when I arrived, and NICS requires a minimum of three. During the past two weeks I met a new family who has four children. They have enrolled two of the four (the other two are still too young) at ICS-P. I have been able to get to know the father well and we have had some great chats. Captain and Mrs. Harris are thrilled that there is a Christian international school for their children to attend. They did not want to enroll them at the DOD school on Camp Humphreys where Captain Harris is serving. We have had a great time sharing and the other members of the DAC have approved the application of Captain Harris as a member of the DAC. Please pray as he begins his service with us and uses his skills and abilities to advise us at ICS-P!
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Special Prayer Request!
Before I write anything else, I would like to ask you to pray for our Guidance Counselor, Mr. Ben Coyner. He has been struggling with some pain and swelling in his mouth for about 2-3 weeks. he was able to finally get an appointment at Seoul National University Hospital to see a specialist. Ben learned that there is an ulcer and large mass in his tongue that is serious. It was also discovered that he has enlarged lymph nodes on the side of his neck where his tongue was cut. He had a biopsy on Thursday and then later saw another doctor who prescribed some medicine to give some relief. Ben has never had a biopsy and it was the first time hearing of a possibility of cancer. I know that he would really appreciate your prayers. The results from the biopsy may come back that he only has a bad inflammation in his tongue, and that is what we are praying for.
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I was hoping to get to see one of the two volleyball matches our Boys' and Girls' Volleyball teams played this week. Both were away matches and I just couldn't get to them. They have represented ICS-P so well. I just love how they play their best and are always so encouraging with each other . They are great representatives of Jesus Christ as they travel to play. I know they would appreciate your prayers - both the players as well as their coaches, Mr. Kuhn and Ms. Johnson. I had the privilege of sending them off on Friday for their matches. Mr. Kuhn invited me to get on the bus to say a few words and then have prayer with them before they headed out. It has been so fun getting to know a number of these students. I am so excited for them and for the growth I continue to see in their lives.
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This past week we had several families stop by for information about enrolling at ICS-P! It is exciting to see enrollment grow with some excellent new families. We had a mother and daughter stop in on Wednesday to check out the school and have a tour. The mother is in the military and serving at Osan Air Force Base - about 25-30 minutes from the school. Her daughter, Nykaela, is in Grade 6, but everyone thought she had to be in High School. All of the paperwork was completed and Nykaela began school on Thursday. I even had the privilege of subbing for her Bible teacher, Mr. Kuhn, on her first day while Mr. Kuhn took care of a situation with a student. Grade 6 is so excited because Nykaela joins the only other girl in their grade! They welcomed her warmly and everyone seemed to be doing well.
While Nykaela and her mother were enrolling at ICS-P, God was providing yet another great opportunity for our school to get the word out concerning our school! This is a fantastic answer to prayer. Earlier in July we had our first opportunity to come on the Camp Humphreys U.S. Army base to set up a display and share concerning our need for substitute teachers as well as share about admissions at ICS-P. That was a first and we are already invited back there. Others had told us that we would never be allowed to come on Camp Humphreys or Osan AFB to share about our school since both bases had a DOD school for the military children. More and more military families do not want the education provided by the DOD and more are coming on their own to ICS-P.
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I was able to enjoy a little of the elementary Chapel time this past Thursday. I love to hear the elementary kids at ICS-P sing! I will have to take my camera with video the next time to capture some of their passionate singing. One second grader, Cyrus, gets to excited when they sing. I love to watch him sing and dance the worship songs Ms. Kim is using. Mr. Kuhn continues to work on our theme "Putting on the Full Armor of God!" Here are just a few pictures from this past week's Chapel. I will try to get better ones in the future.
Led by Ms. Kim and Ms. Dather, Grade 2 students lead other elementary students in singing opening songs in Chapel on Thurday! they love to sing!
Grade 4 students singing in Chapel with their teacher, Ms. Johnson,
and our Librarian (expecting a little one in January), Mrs. Mooney.
Quiz time with Mr. Kuhn! This little cherub just answered
correctly and Mr. Kuhn is preparing to give her a "high five."
This little man was having difficulty with his question so he asked a friend for help.
The little man seated with the light greenish blue shirt was the
person selected to help the little boy above. He got the answer
correct!
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Coming up next week in Korea is one of the biggest holidays in South Korea. It is called Chuseok and is a little like an American Thanksgiving. ICS-P will have off from school on September 14-16.
Chuseok is one of the biggest and most important holidays in Korea. Family members from near and far come together to share food and stories and to give thanks to their ancestors. In 2016, Chuseok Day falls on September 15. As the day before and the day after are also part of the holiday, this year's full holiday period will take place for five days September 14 to 18, including the weekend.
Many Koreans visit their hometowns to spend quality time with their family, as well as spend time with friends. The holidays also provide a good opportunity to enjoy traditional cultural experiences throughout Korea.
Our teachers and students are looking forward to three days vacation from school. Many will spend time with family and friends and eat lots of traditional Korean food. One of the very traditional Korean foods all the time, but especially at Chuseok is Songpyoen. Songpyeon is a Korean traditional rice cake which contains stuffing made with ingredients such as sesame seeds, black beans, mung beans, cinnamon, pine nut, walnut, chestnut, jujube, and honey.
When making songpyeon, steaming them over a layer of pine needles is critical. The word song in songpyeon means a pine tree in Korean. The pine needles not only contribute to songpyeon's aromatic fragrance, but also its beauty and taste." (taken from Wikipedia)
On Friday afternoon, our Korean teacher, Ms. Han, had her class of Grade 2 cherubs make some songpyeon. I was thrilled when they came to my office with a bowl of songpyeon they had made for me. I love songpyeon and their creation was especially yummy because they were still warm and moist! They were all smiles as they arrived at my office and presented me with what they had made with Ms. Han! It got me in the mood for Chuseok!
Grade 2 cherubs so happy after presenting me with their freshly made Songpyeon on Friday! Their Korean teacher, Ms. Han, is so good with them!
Here are the very yummy Songpyeon these cherubs gave me! (A question for you: Do you know why the songpyeon are shaped like a half moon?)
Of course the delightful cherubs wanted a silly picture with me! The little man in the front left is Cyrus who sings and dances so passionately in Chapel! The little man with his tongue hanging out is my buddy, Robert. He said he is so glad he switched to ICS-P "because at this school the teachers care for me and love me."
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Another prayer request -
Right after Chuseok, the Business Manager, Mylene Haselman, and I will travel to Singapore for the NICS Fall Administrators' Conference. This year they are having sessions that focus on the responsibilities of the Business Managers and Directors/Headmasters. Mylene will leave a little early to meet with some friends and then I will fly from Incheon on September 19 in the afternoon to head for the conference which will end on Friday evening. I am excited about going to Singapore! I have heard lots of good things about it, but have never traveled there. Another new place. I would ask you to pray for safety in travel as well as a profitable time at the conference. We will be hosted by the NICS international school in Singapore, International Community School - Singapore. I am excited about seeing that school as well. I will be sharing with one of the elementary classes at the school during the week. You can pray for that as well. Please pray for our HS Principal, Mr. Mooney, and our ES/MS Assistant Principal, Mr. Kuhn as they keep things moving along well at ICS-P in our absence.
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I have mentioned to you before that I had found this neat little coffee shop near my apartment called BC800 Coffee & Tea. That is where I have been going almost every Saturday morning for about six weeks and have gotten to know the owner's son, Chang Sik. Last Saturday when I arrived a little later than usual (around 10:00 AM), Chang Sik said, "Oh, now I know it is Saturday! Mr. Gregg is here!" :-) We continue to build a great relationship. He is always so kind and helpful to me. Each week he or his mother will give me an additional food item as a service gift. I can't seem to stop them. :-) Saturday morning after I had eaten the English muffin, which
Here I am behind the BC800 service counter with Chang Sik!
My coffee and Saturday's service gift, Chocolate Bingsoo!!
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I would really appreciate your prayers this coming week. I am hoping to connect with some of my former SYME Korean students and YISS students during the Chuseok break. Then I need to prepare for my trip to the NICS Fall Conference in Singapore. You know how I just love to pack (NOT!!) but I am sure it won't be too bad. Please pray that I will get everything accimplished that I need to finish before heading to Singapore. Thank you always for your very faithful care, love, encouragement, mail, prayers, and support. Enjoy your week!
Love, Gregg
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