Super Epic Kweekend For the Ages, Part I

This part happened first, but I'm writing it second because it's shorter.

I've been attending church at Hanbit International Christian Fellowship, an English-language church in Changwon. The church is fantastic, about half Koreans and half foreigners, and all very friendly and kind. The preacher is a missionary from the Netherlands named Arianne. Arianne's mission is actually to the orphanages here in Korea -- she just does the preaching at HICF because at one point years ago she was asked to. And she's very good.

Anyway, last week I was talking with Arianne and some others about how much I love working with kids, and she invited me to visit an orphanage with her. Apparently they've had an English teacher who volunteers there, but she's become too busy to see them every week. I met Arianne yesterday at 2:30 and she drove me to the orphanage in Masan.

(Pictures were taken, but not by me. Maybe I'll get a hold of a copy someday and add them.)

I wore my Kerry Meier KU football jersey, because it's brightly colored and has a big number 10 on it, which I figured would appeal to the kids. It did. Even though they all learned my name, they call me "funny 10" now. Which rocks, because as my closest associates know well, I am TEN.

There were about 30 kids in the classroom, of all ages. A couple of babies about 10 months old were there, and there were a few kids who looked to be 13 or 14. The minute I walked in they grabbed their chairs and arranged them into a classroom-type setting. Arianne had given me an English-language storybook, so I decided to tell them the story of Goldilocks.

I used the markerboard and some charades to illustrate the words. Then, I had no idea what to do next so I winged it. I drew pictures on the board and had them call out the words. We played "I spy" with colors. ("Can you find something green?") Then we sang "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes," which is always an instant hit with Korean kids, especially when you sing it as fast as you can.

One little girl, probably about 3, would grab my hand every time I walked to her side of the room. She was a sweetheart. When we sang, she jumped out of her chair and stood next to me to "show" everyone how to sing. Then she followed us out to the car and stood there waving as we backed away. Adorable! Heartbreaking, but adorable.

I'll see them again next week. This is my new gig, now, and I'll send you guys some pics when I take them. The kids at the orphanage are smart and sweet just like my GnB kids, but the orphanage kids are a lot more excited to see me. I love them all. I am so lucky to be here, living this life!