Great JOY in the Midst of Nasty Storms and More Leaks!

Yes, it was another week of hot, humid, and rainy weather in Pyeongtaek!  Teachers and staff have been wanting to practice our Fire Drill Evacuation with students.  I told them on Tuesday we would probably not be able to do it this week because of the rainy forecast. (We like to do our first drill as a planned one.)  The rain kept coming and we kept having additional leaks throughout the building. Our Library and Computer Classroom have had the most problems.  The facilities' men have attempted repairing most of them, but with all of the rain, they just seem to keep coming.  It can be very discouraging!  Thursday afternoon we had a really nasty group of storms including heavy winds! More leaks in the roof as well as through classroom windows and other areas.  I was getting very discouraged and left the school at 4:30 to deliver a visitor to ICS-P to the train station and get some dinner prior to our first PTA meeting for the school year.

Thursday morning was Elementary Chapel.  I was asked to be the teacher for this past week's Chapel and since we are emphasizing our third ESLR this year, I went back to the very beginning and shared concerning Creation and the Fall of Man.  I involved a number of students in helping to act out the stories and everyone seemed to have a good time.  After Chapel, the rains came down and the leaks came forth.  I was not feeling so wonderful.

BUT God was working! After returning for the PTA meeting, one of the elementary teachers came to me and said, "Did you hear that after your Chapel time this morning, Charles in Grade 1 asked about salvation and he asked Jesus to forgive his sins!"  As I heard this, I was filled with JOY and stepped back outside the building to see the wind still blowing and the rice plants were blowing and waving and bending in the strong wind.  The leaves in the trees appeared to be clapping their hands!  I looked at the sky and saw a gorgeous sunset!  I was reminded of the verse in Isaiah 55:12 which says,

"You will go out in joy to be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands!"

I paused for a few minutes and thought about the angels who were having a party in heaven because of Charles, a new child of God!!  Even the rice plants were full of joy!  As I went inside to clean up the water leakage once again, I was smiling and full of joy and peace because of this precious one who was added to the Kingdom of God.

Thursday evening I reflected on the fourth verse of 2 John: "It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us."  Although I have never married and have not had the privilege of having any natural born children, I realized I had MANY children.  In fact, as I wrote down names of those "children" who are walking in the truth and growing in the truth, I was filled with great JOY!  Not only are many of these "children" walking in truth, but some of my "children" have married and have their own children who have become my grandchildren.  It was such a great time of joy and thankfulness to the Lord as I filled a couple sheets of paper with names of those I have been privileged to have as "children" and "grandchildren."  I would encourage you to do the same some time.  Please continue to pray for me as I continue to build relationships with new "children." Please pray that they will walk in the truth and have "children" of their own.  

I have used a verse from 1 Timothy 4 as a challenge to each of those "children" and "grandchildren" I have been blessed to enjoy.  I leave it with you and ask that you pray this over all of the young people who desire to serve the Lord today.  It is verse 12: "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity."

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Thanks for listening! :-)  When Friday morning came, the weather was gorgeous.  We decided to have our first Fire Drill Evacuation and for the first one of the year, it was a great one!  Teachers had done a great job of preparing their students and the students did a fantastic job!  Please continue to pray as we practice different types of drills this year.

Just a few highlights from the week!  Everyone seems to be doing quite well.  We are getting great reports from many of our new parents about how much their children are loving coming to ICS-Pyeongtaek!  They love their teachers!  

MS and HS had their first Chapel this past week.  It was an introduction Chapel for the year and an introduction to the mentor groups that are established.  MS and HS students are divided into small groups and a teacher is placed as a mentor leader of each group.  They meet regularly for fellowship, fun, Bible student, relationship building, etc.  We have found it to be very powerful.  Here are just a few pictures of the interactive activities that were conducted in MS/HS Chapel this past week.  I have really enjoyed getting to know many of these MS/HS students even better this year.  Thanks for continuing to pray.

MS & HS students along with their mentor teachers enjoying some interactive activities in Chapel!

Another activity with MS/HS students

             and mentor teachers!

MS/HS students having some fun with mentor teachers!

One more picture of some of the      

interaction with MS/HS students and   

mentor teachers on Tuesday!        

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One of my favorite elective classes for Middle School students is the Cooking Class.  Our Business Manager, Mrs. Haselman, is trained in cooking and event planning.  Mrs. Haselman and Mrs. Okamoto, our school cook, co-teach the class.  I love visiting the class and observing them learn about cooking yummy food as well as how to prepare it and then the part that many people forget about - the cleaning up activity following the food preparation!  They each selected an apron and chef hat they would like for the class.  Here are some pictures of the class this past week.  

Here are the up and coming Chefs from Middle School!  They had just prepared a delicious snack.  I especially love this class because they always bring one of their creations to me to taste test! :-)  (This photo was taken the day before all of them were able to get their aprons and chef hats.)  Please note that Sam (in the red shirt) is doing one of his signature gestures in this photo.  You will see it again because the others loved it! :-)

I love it that they learn that there is always cleanup involved in cooking and baking!

Here they are the next day modeling their aprons and chef hats!  They were getting ready to prepare another taste treat.  (I think the young lady loved being the only girl in this class!)  :-)

And they wanted to do "Sam's Signature Gesture" for a group shot. :-)  I believe it started when Sam was adding a garnish to a finished food product so now they all use it when adding a garnish to their creations. :-)

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Our new Art teacher, Ms. Kathy Lee, also teaches our Korean Culture Class to elementary students. The kids absolutely love the class as they learn a little Korean as well as a lot about Korean culture. Ms. Lee also integrates Art throughout all of her Korean classes.  Love to see them enjoying her class each week.  Actually, many of the staff want to take her class. We are blessed to have Kathy at ICS-P!

  A group of First Grade students enjoying some Korean Culture!

A group of Kinder cherubs enjoying learning about Korean instruments!

Another picture of Grade 1 cherubs enjoying Korean Culture class!

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I would like you to pray for our Middle School & High School students and their teachers as they experience the annual MS/HS Student Retreat!  They will leave on Thursday, August 30, after school to travel to a retreat center in the Songtan area, returning on Saturday, September 2 around 10:30 AM. It is a great time of getting to know new students and beginning to build relationships with each other. Teachers also have found it a great way to get to know their students as they begin the year.  I know they would appreciate your prayers for a fun time, as well as a time of community building.

You can use the above as a prayer reminder for the Annual Student Retreat for MS & HS students!

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I awoke Saturday morning to another gorgeous day and a bit cooler as well.  Usually, the last Saturday of each month is set aside by our church, Dae Kwang Church, for the Men's Prayer Breakfast.  Saturday eight of us met at 7:15 AM to enjoy a delicious breakfast (provided by the men), a great time of fellowship, a brief study of the Word, and then a prayer time.   It's always a great time and Saturday was no exception.

Saturday morning Men's Prayer Breakfast!

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I close this week first to thank you for your continued love, care, encouragement, emails, mail, prayers, and gifts.  I would like to continue to encourage you to pray for ICS-P and our financial budget.  Please pray that the Lord would provide the necessary funds to upgrade our facilities, furniture, and equipment.  Please feel free to send to me any prayer requests you have, too.  Enjoy a great last week of August!

Love, Gregg

A Very Hot, Humid, but Delightful First Week at ICS-P!

Yeppers, it was another hot and humid week in Pyeongtaek and our air conditioning at ICS-P seems to be getting older and older and not cooling the school as well.  BUT I love our teachers and how they continue to go above and beyond to teach and build relationships with their students in the midst of the added heat and humidity.  They continue to be a blessing to me.

Monday and Tuesday were days of final preparation for our teacher and staff to prepare for our first day of school on Wednesday.  Much was accomplished in those two days by our fantastic staff and we were ready for our students' arrival on Wednesday.  On Monday right before lunch, we planned to have our 2017-18 Staff Photo taken.  Our desire was to take the photo outside, but it was raining all day and instead of postponing the picture shoot, we decided to have the photo taken in our gymnasium.  Everyone came right on time and in just a few minutes, we were able to get everyone organized and the photos were taken.  I am happy to share our official staff photos for 2017-18 with you. You will find one that is our "serious" photo and then a "Silly Pose" photo as well.  All the staff wanted both. :-)  You can use the photos to pray for our staff this year as we come to your mind.

Above is our official normal staff photo for 2017-18.  So delighted to be able to work with these very gifted and talented educators!

We do like to have fun! :-)  Here is our "Silly Pose!"

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After a very busy day of preparation on Monday, I was invited by our excellent facilities' manager, Mr. Song to a delightful dinner with him and our MS Lead Teacher, Jonathan Edwards at another Boshintang restaurant.  Mr. Song, Mr. Edwards, and I enjoy Boshintang so we traveled in the heat and rain to a new Boshintang restaurant (at least for Jonathan and me) and enjoyed a great time of fellowship, conversation, and laughter.  This time I was able to get to the cashier before Mr. Song in order to pay for the meal.  Mr. Song does so much around the school in our apartments for all of us!

Mr. Song surprised us with this picture.  I didn't realize he was taking pictures!  GGG and Mr. Edwards enjoying some tasty Boshintang!

This is a picture of our dear friend, Mr. Song, from last Spring's Boshintang dinner.

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Wednesday arrived and it was so exciting to see many of our returning students as well as our new students!  It was great to greet students as they arrived for their first day of 2017-18!  I would ask you to continue to pray for some more students.  We had 122 enrolled on August 14 and by the morning of August 16, the first day, we had 125.  By Friday, our total enrollment for 2017-18 had reached 130! That is the number we need to match our budget with very little wiggle room.  We would love to reach at least 135.  Your prayer would be appreciated!

Here are a few photos from my walk-throughs during the first, second, and third days of our 2017-18 school year.  I love to observe our teachers as they so creatively and lovingly teach their students. They are already making a powerful impact on students.  Enjoy some of the pictures from the first days of 2017-18.

A sneak peek into Ms. Hunter's Grade

           1 classroom on Day 1!

Ms. Dather on the first day with her Grade 2 cherubs!

Ms. Johnson with her fourth graders! 

Grade 5 on the first day! Since the first

day, there are now three more boys and

                   one more girl!

Late in the afternoon on the first day, I heard some children outside my office window.  I got up and looked to find Mrs. Cho with her kindergarten cherubs doing an activity on the playground!  They were so intently listening that I did not do anything to distract them! :-)

  Mr. Wolfer with his MS Bible class!

One of our new teachers, Mr. Febus, working with a group of HS students in AP Biology!

Ms. Lee has created a beautiful    

classroom environment in her Art  

room.  Here is one of her HS classes!

Mr. Edwards, one of our MS teachers also teaches a class of Elementary Physical Education.  Here he is with a group last week.

Another shot of Mr. Edwards teaching Elementary P.E.

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Our Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Cho, took a photo of the Class of 2030 on Friday.  I am loving these new Kinder cherubs!  It has been thrilling to see the great growth in each of them through Mrs. Cho's excellent teaching From Wednesday to Friday!  They are such a great group of lively ones!  I know Mrs. Cho would love for you to pray for her as she works with these students.  Several of them need to work on their English speaking skills and several have some individual needs that will require extra assistance from Mrs. Cho.  Our Librarian, Mrs. Tina Lee, has been helping in Mrs. Cho's classroom these first several days, especially with those who are weak in their English speaking skills.  Our ELD Coordinator/Teacher, Mrs. Amos, will be testing those in the elementary school (not just in kindergarten) who we believe need some extra ELD classes with Mrs. Amos.  Please pray for her as she tests each one individually this next week.  Please enjoy this photo of our Class of 2030!

ICS-Pyeongtaek's Class of 2030!! :-)

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Thursday was our first Elementary Chapel for 2017-18.  Mrs. Cho, the ES Lead Teacher, has organized a great lineup for Chapels in the Elementary School this year centering in on our third ESLR - Biblically Informed Individuals!  Ms. Hunter, our Grade 1 teacher and worship music and dance leader, led the students in some great singing/dancing.  Then Mr. Mooney, our Academic Principal (K-12) used his Magic Coloring Book to present a great beginning challenge to our elementary cherubs.  They all were so attentive and loved his illustrations.  Pray that many of them will come to know Jesus this year.

Mr. Mooney sharing in the first Elementary School Chapel for 17-18!  The kids were listening and watching intently and trying to discover how Mr. Mooney did his Magic Coloring Book with Nora.

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A big highlight for me on Thursday was a surprise visit at the end of the day!  I was working in my office on a number of projects.  All the students had departed and most teachers and staff had gone home for the day.  Someone entered my office quietly and when I looked up, I was so delighted to see Mokin Lee!  Mokin and I built a great relationship during my first year at ICS-P last year.  He was one of our seniors.  In fact, he was the President of the student body and our Salutatorian last year.  I had asked him to come and see me before he left for university.  He said he would but didn't tell me when.  I was so excited to see him.  We sat and talked in my office for about a half hour.  He asked me to be praying for him so that he would not be distracted by anything at university so that he can do well and still get involved with some excellent Christian fellowship.  Mokin is going to be studying at the University of Rochester in New York.  He leaves on Monday, August 21, to fly to the USA.  His parents are not able to go with him so he is traveling alone and is a little apprehensive.  I know he would value your prayers.  When he had to leave my office, I prayed with him and encouraged him.  I know he will do very well.  He is so excited about following the Lord in his studies and then after graduation.  Thank you for praying for this amazing young man!

Here I am with Mokin Lee following our fellowship and prayer in my office and right before he needed to head home.  Pray for this dear friend and brother as he heads to the University of Rochester on August 21!

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Another very exciting event this week!  When Charlie and April Mooney were back in the USA for a few weeks this summer, they went to a specialist to have Cora the Conqueror checked out.  The specialist discovered that Cora's head is not growing properly.  He strongly recommended that Cora have a special helmet made for babies whose head is not growing properly. If it is not taken care of in the early stages, many problems can develop. They did not have the time nor the funds at the time and returned to Korea.  Insurance is telling them that it will not be covered.  They finally found a specialist in Korea (after many different doctor visits ending in disappointment for one reason or another) who said that Cora definitely needed the helmet.  Most doctors in Korea said the same thing but the doctor who could fit her and secure the helmet before October was this one.  So last week, Cora received her helmet!  The doctor believes that if he shows the insurance company his findings and the absolute necessity of this helmet at this stage in Cora's life, the insurance company will agree to cover the cost.  Thank you for praying.  This type of helmet costs around $3,500!  Here are a couple photos of delightful Cora with and without the helmet.  I believe she has to have the helmet off for about 1-2 hours a day.  The Mooneys are very happy and continue to appreciate all of your prayers.

Cora the Conqueror without her helmet!

Here she is sporting her new helmet.  She seems to be 

quite content!  Thanks for praying for Cora!       

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I want to close this week with an update on a former SYME student and great friend, Yeongmin. Many of you know him as John (his English name).  We were able to connect last Sunday.  After a great worship service at Dae Kwang Church, I headed by bus to Seoul to meet Yeongmin for a late lunch.  After a delicious lunch and great time of conversation and fellowship, we went to the Seoul Arts Center to enjoy a fantastic concert that featured some excellent classical music with a full orchestra and solos by three excellent instrumentalists that featured trombone, trumpet, and French Horn soloists!  It was a great afternoon and evening with my dear friend.  He still has not accepted Christ but continues to ask questions.  Thanks for praying for Yeongmin!

GGG and Yeongmin preparing to enjoy a delicious Vietnamese Sunday dinner before the music concert at Seoul Arts Center.

One of our yummy Vietnamese treats!

These noodles with beef were so yummy!

So was the Fried Rice with Shrimp!    

           Posters of this special concert at Seoul Arts Center!

The entrance and reception area to the concert hall at Seoul Arts Center!

I took this picture of the stage in the grand auditorium just before one of the ushers came around to tell everyone that no pictures were allowed! :-)  Glad we got there early.  Looks empty but t filled up very nicely.

This was the program and the selections that were performed!  It was a beautiful concert!

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Thank you so much for your faithful love, encouragement, emails, mail, prayers, and gifts.  Thanks for continuing to pray that ICS-Pyeongtaek will be able to secure some more students and funds to help us make improvements to our physical facilities.  We did reach 130 students as of Friday, but some of them will only be with us for part of this first semester.  Thank you so much to you who have been concerned about our current physical needs.  Your prayers and gifts are so encouraging!  Please enjoy a great week!

Love,
Gregg

United in Love; United in Knowledge!

Monday, August 7 was our first day of All Staff Orientation for 2017-18!  All staff met for breakfast at 7:30 AM in the school cafeteria!  It was a great time of joy and fellowship!  The first day of "All Staff Orientation" is usually a Spiritual Emphasis Day for the staff.  I get to introduce the school's theme for the year as well as begin to introduce the ESLR (Expected Student Learning Results) that we will highlight throughout the year.  It is a great morning of prayer and directing our focus on Jesus Christ and how we can live Him out throughout the day with our students.

Our theme for the year is taken from Colossians 2:1-5: "United in Love; United in Knowledge." Last year I was so impressed with the great care, love, and encouragement demonstrated by all of our staff to other staff members and students when they were facing trials and suffering.  I want us to continue to demonstrate the community of love that we have at ICS-P among our staff.  In addition, each year we emphasize one of our five ESLRs.  The five "Expected Student Learning Results" that we desire to see in our graduates at ICS-P are: 1) Effective Communicators; 2) Community Contributors; 3) Biblically Informed Individuals; 4) Complex Thinkers; and 5) 21st Century Learners.  This year we are emphasizing ESLR #3 - Biblically Informed Individuals. As we presented the school's theme and the ESLR we are going to emphasize in our classrooms, I was reminded of a quote from a British writer, N. T. Wright: "The aim, as in all theological and biblical exploration, is not to replace love with knowledge.  Rather, it is to keep love focused upon its true object!"

During Monday morning, teachers and staff went to their individual classrooms or offices and wrote out prayer concerns they had for their rooms, remembering some of the needs of their students.  After about 15 minutes, teachers posted these requests on their classroom door and then began to walk from the B1 level to the third floor and to the Gymnasium to pray over each classroom and office!  It is one of my favorite times at ICS-P!  All classrooms, offices, and the gym were covered in prayer before school begins on Wednesday, August 16.  After all were finished with their "Prayer Walk" - either alone or in small groups, everyone gathered back in the cafeteria where student's names and class were displayed on the screen.  As each group of students was displayed, individual teachers prayed for the students.  In about an hour, each student enrolled for 2017-18 at ICS-P had been prayed for. We call this "Standing in the Gap" for our students.

The pictures above are of our staff going from room-to-room praying over each classroom!

This is the School Principal, Mr. Mooney, introducing our "Standing in the Gap" prayer time for each of our students for 2017-18!

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Throughout the remainder of the week, teachers would meet together in the morning for the review of Handbooks, discuss changes for the year, receive training on the use of the Staff Portal, Q & A time, professional development, etc.  However, we purposely put in the schedule blocks of time for teachers to prepare their classrooms for Friday's Open House and our New Student & Parent Orientation.  During this week, ICS-P's wonderful kitchen crew prepares yummy breakfasts and lunches for all of the staff.  One of the days for lunch we treated the staff to a very delicious Korean Barbecue!  One of the best is located about 10 minutes from the school.  It is called Hwa Hwa and their meat is soooo tender and delicious.  The staff enjoyed a great time of fellowship and food before heading back to school to finish lesson plans and classroom preparations.  Here are several pictures of our ICS-P staff enjoying a great Korean Barbecue at Hwa Hwa on Wednesday!

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On the same day, our Member Care committee prepared a fantastic Ice Cream Social to end the day! We enjoyed some delicious ice cream with all of the toppings, including WHIPPED CREAM, and baked goodies and just lots of fun and fellowship!

Some of our Member Care Committee at ICS-P! From left to right: Minsun Lee (wife of Barry Wolfer); Pamela Richards, Chair (wife of John Richards); April Mooney, Last year's Chair); and Becca Gaul, HS Math Teacher). 

  We had three little ones join us at the

Ice Cream Social.  Here is Minsun Lee

       holding Cora the Conqueror!

This is the ICS-P head cook, Mrs. Okamoto, holding our Part-time counselor, Camille Parker's baby!

Grade 1 teacher, Ms. Hunter with the 

Wolfers' little man, Justus!         

Mrs. Haselman, our Business Manager, loves to cook and bake.  She baked and decorated this cake for the Ice Cream Social!

Here is the table full of ice cream and assorted taste treats, which everyone greatly enjoyed!

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Friday, August 11 arrived and all the classrooms were ready for our annual Open House.  We had a good number of parents and students who came to visit their classroom and their teacher as well as receive their Parent/Student Handbook and other information that they would need to begin the school year on August 16.  According to Mr. Mooney, we also instituted the first New Student and Parent Orientation session on Friday morning.  All new students and their parents were invited to attend this orientation session from 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM.  We had a nice group of parents and students (hoping for more of the new middle school and high school students) in attendance and all seemed to be very grateful for the orientation.

Lobby of the school on Friday morning!  Parents and students arriving to attend the Open House and New Student Orientation!

Our Librarian, TiNa Lee, loves to keep changing things around in the Library.  Here is her new bulletin board for the beginning of this year! :-)

TiNa opened up the area around the windows to allow more light into the library as well as preparing a very nice reading area for our cherubs!

Our ELD Coordinator/Teacher, Mrs. Amos, 

 is very excited about being at ICS-P.  Here

      is the door entrance to her classroom.

Here is Mrs. Amos in her rearranged ELD classroom!  Looking good!

Another view in the ELD classroom!  

Last year, Ms. Kathy Lee, was our Grade 1 T. A. and Korean teacher.  This year Kathy will be teaching Korean and Art!  She is an amazing artist and has already made the difference between night and day in the Art classroom!  This is a really cool display on the outside wall before you enter the Art Room!

A view of one side of the new Art Room!

A better picture of the brand new Art Room!  Kathy has made it a bright and cheery room!  Many students (as well as parents) stopped by on Friday and could not believe the fantastic change in the Art Room!

This is the kindergarten classroom, but early in the week when Mrs. Cho, our Kinder teacher, and lead Elementary teacher, was conducting a professional development session with elementary teachers and several MS teachers.  On Friday, she met with each of the parents of her Kinder cherubs!

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I was invited to join Mike and Alicia Nicholes and their four cherubs for breakfast on Saturday morning!  Mike is the pastor at Dae Kwang where I am fellowshipping.  I always love going to their apartment to play with the kids, eat yummy food, enjoy some excellent conversations, and just enjoy one another.

Here I am with Mike and Alicia Nicholes and their youngest, Titus!

   These three cherubs plus Titus ate at this Korean table while the 

adults sat at the higher dining room table!  (Josiah is the young man;

   Charis is across from Josiah; and Michaela is waiting for Titus 

         to stop playing with his steam shovel. GGG is at fault!)

Here is Titus on the sofa with his steam shovel.  He and I had so  

much fun playing with it!                                 

     After breakfast, I gave each of the 

children a Kinder Toy.  (They now have

  them "for boys" and "for girls." Titus

wanted to open his and eat the treat and

   play with the toy inside right away!

Yummy bacon and amazing cinnamon rolls!!!!  Soooo good!!    

My plate of tasty breakfast goodies!!

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That will do it for this week!  It has been another hot and humid week, but I did get my air conditioner working!  So thankful for that!  Please pray as we make the final preparations for our first day of school on Wednesday, August 16!  We could use at least six more students!  If there were more than six, that would be awesome!  Thank you so much for your love, care, encouragement, prayers, and gifts of support both for me personally and for the improvement of ICS-Pyeongtaek.  I trust that you will enjoy a tremendous week!

Love, Gregg