Leaving Korea and Pastor Cho's BIG Church

Whelp, just a couple of weeks left for me in Korea. I know I just have three posts and that's kinda weak considering I've been living in another country for 8 months. Nevertheless, I'm going to close out strong. Korea has been amazing! I've met some awesome friends here, that I've gotten to know and love, and I will miss them greatly. Working as a teacher for some of the smartest kids in Korea (and probably America) has been an amazing experience. Riding my scooter in Seoul, eating Korean food, hanging out at the Han, Korean road trips, and playing all sorts of weird skill sports have all been parts of my life that I will miss.

On the flip side I am pretty stoked to head home. I'm happy that I'm going to be with all of my Grandparents during this time. Im excited to see my parents (and sister whenever she decides to be a US citizen again). I'm looking forward to chilling with old buddies. I'm excited to be back with my church family at Capital Christian Center. And I can't wait to see an amazing girl that I've been missing!

The greatest part of Korea for me was the journey that God has taken me on in my own life. The same God that moves in the lives of people back home, is the same God that moves in lives of those here in Korea, and the same God who is moving and changing me. The things that Christ has taught me, and continues to teach me, while I've been here will not be forgotten. I am so excited about what he is doing that I can hardly stand it! I can just tell something big is going to happen and I'm so stinkin stoked that Christ is inviting me to join. Complacency is over-rated, believe me I've been there. So I guess the best way to sum this up is "Alright God, let's do this thing!"

On a side note, I went to Yoiedo Church. It is the biggest church in the world with a million people. I couldn't understand any of the message but it was awesome nonetheless. Pictures don't do it justice but here they are.

4 Agimons a Dancing

This was one of the funniest experiences I have had here so far. We were at this weird carnival and we stumbled on this guy's elephant ear stand. My buddy Andrew drew quite the crowd.....

SO KO

I was able to get away this weekend to one of Korea's ancient cities. It was so awesome to be able to see the mountains and get away from the busy life in Seoul. While we were their we hiked up a huge hill and all along the way were ancient statues of Korea's past. As we got to the top of the hill we heard chanting music come over the valley and on the top of the mountain was  a temple. It felt a lot like Batman Begins. I know stupid comparison but oh well.....

Some days.......

Well I'll be honest the past few days have been really hard being away from home. Don't get me wrong the weekend was a blast! I met so many cool people from all different backgrounds. It's been awesome meeting new friends. 

However I just received news that a great friend, and mentor was recently in a car crash and broke his C4 vertebrae. He is stable now and I know God is in control but it is really hard being away from home when something like that happens. This man has been a part of my life for 12 years and is family to me. 

Praying for you Jim! 

SO KO SO FAR

Alright so I made a promise that I would keep people updated on what is happening In Korea. I admit it I have be slacking. However in my defense it is incredibly hard when my stupid mac shuts down all the time and my internet connection is hit or miss. But no excuses play like a champion right? Eventually I will have a phone so I will keep in contact with you all at home, if you have skype put me on at, kyle.rooks or rooks.kyle, I cant remember.

Korea has been a great so far! Its like Im on a sensory overload all the time. Seoul is huge it is the 4th largest city in the world. So that alone takes some getting used to for a

 guy who has been living in Idaho. 

The other day I went to a norabong with some coworkers. This a little room where everyone sings kareokee. I sang everything from Abba to Toto. I was thinking my old roomates from Boise would have loved this, it blows singstar away!! 

Well the bad news is Im not in a very creative mood today, so I will leave you with pictures of my apartment. (notice the flowers and the hot pink bed spread they gave me)

I want everyone back home to know that I miss you very much and I look forward to getting my phone so I can stay in touch with you!! 

RISK

The other day a few friends and I played an awesome game of Risk. It totally brought me back to the glory days of living at the Lincoln house and playing until all hours of the night. Now for all of you thinking "Really...Risk?" let me go ahead and say we made risk a life altering experience

We would usually start this game at 1:00 am, you know the perfect time when you really have nothing to do but you don't want to go to bed cause your afraid of the potential awesomeness that you may miss out on. Anyways we would all cram into the back room of our house, aka the War Room, set out the risk board, call someone from Dooley to bring us McDonalds, and then the most important step...gather the war hats. 

Now don't judge me, but we had five hats that you had to wear to play. A Peruvian hat made of lama fur, a Navy sailor hat, a cowboy hat, an army helmet, and a straw hat. Im not really sure where these hats came from, and if you've ever had the chance to see our college house you know that the most random assortment of junk was avalible at any time. 

After we each claimed our hats we were able to rule like kings, and for the next few hours you can hear a flurry of yelling and insults, as well as a general loss of friendships....we were awesome!

Well anyways this made me think...If my friends were warlords what would be the county they would most likely dominate? Here are a few ideas.

Vinny Man: the Scottish Highlands

Austin Zander: Iceland

Ryan Scott: Norway

Tyler Crow: 1939 Germany

Jeff Greene: South Korea 

Stephanie Rooks: North Korea

Dan Larkin: Canada

Keila Bates: Ohio

Meagan Murphy: Madagascar

Peter Ott: Either of the Poles

Derek Henbest: In the middle of the Risk board

Brit Belden: Zambia

Wade Joseph: Wherever he roams 

Marc Herring: A Union Soldier in the Civil war

Dustin the Mont: Kazaekstan  

Raise the Bar

JEREMIAH 1:4-10

The word of the Lord came to me saying 

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you 

before you were born I set you apart:

I appointed you as a prophet to the nations"

"Ah, Sovereign Lord," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child." 

But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the Lord.

Then the Lord reached out His hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put words in your mouth. See today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and plant."

God will go exceedingly  above our expectations, how high are our expectations?