Today I took the bus for 20 minutes and visited my actual Korean home town, not the center where the leader lives, but the small mg (area) we are each given. It is like the size of a home church area, or maybe in my case 1000 homes or less surrounded by farmland. As we traveled by on the bus I notices won jin (burial grounds in the mountain sides. I was thinking how I would like to clear the area of old dark and dirty buildings and build something exquisitely beautiful like a mountain resort. (this is my humble mind)

This area was surrounded by beautiful mountains, really exquisite but very cold and windy today. It is even more rural than the area with the church center, and the feeling is much more distant. I went there and walked up and down the main streets, about 2 or 3 short ones and then stopped to have Be Bim Bob for lunch at a local restaurant for about $3.00 dollars US.

I feel in order to reach this area which is definitely not English speaking at all I need to write a letter and show it to people while going door to door. So tonight when I meet my good English speaking contact I will ask him to help me translate a letter I will type up on my moxinim (ministers) computer.

This weekend was Kim Chee weekend in Korea, and wow what a job that is. To see the way these women work and how much effort it takes to sock away 6 months of kim chee is amazing. The strength of the older women who have no convinces and walk everywhere and work until they die is amazing.

Last weekend the elders from our Phillipine church came and gave a workshop to about 150 sisters in our area. I had just been in Chung Pyung with their leader so she asked me to share my testimony, which I did. They were wonderful and all the leaders are very concerned with the over 3500 Philllipine sisters now married to Korean members. It is a major undertaking to help them to grow.

I am thinking though the way to go about this restoration of every family here is to find the Phillipine sister living in your MG (area) and help her to understand the importance of hometown providence so when you leave here you have someone that can follow up things for you or develop that area. Unfortunately most are so undereducated about the providence and struggling for their own survival that this may not be the way, but just a thought.

I would say when coming to Korea bring cash, its hard to get money here in small towns, no bank machines. Only the big cities can give you cash from a credit card. And bring enough so that if you don't like hot food you can go to the local bakery and get some bread or soup or something that isn't tinged with kim chee or ko chee chan.

Also the rural area leaders get paid almost nothing so only think how you can give to them, what you can bring to them. Don't depend upon them for support while your here. They will give you food but bus fare, travel expenses all these things you will need to bring money for.

Also so far since my being here some other sisters have come, one for three days from Japan and one for one day from Korea. The point being people are not moving here, they are coming and going when possible and working when possible.

I think what would be ideal is to come in the summer or spring when its warmer, as its getting cold now, very cold, and if possible the first time stay with your leader and get connected to him and the mission.

Then I think next time I would like to stay in my city. And bring my family. I think if I took my kids door to door people would really open up their hearts. But be prepared to eat whatever they offer, or don't go at lunch or dinner time.

When people see you every day and notice your friendly and kind, they really warm up. At first they are almost scared, as they have many, never seen an American. But then as you serve them and do business with them, at the grocery store or bakery or whatever, they become your friend.

In a small town it is very important to be kind to everyone as you never know who will talk to whom about the American in town as you are big news.

Met another wonderful single brother today at the bus station so the potential out there is great for reaching out. Am meeting with my three other contacts again this week before leaving. My concern is how to follow up with them from America.

Its been a very deep learning experience. I think now I can understand TP much more deeply, in a practical sense. I would certainly not say this is the kingdom of heaven but I can see that TF wants to create one nation and I think Americans definitely have the guts and gusto to make that happen.

Just a final note. Yesterday I met with my English speaking doctor and gave him a book to read about TF 80 years ministry. He was taught to hate TP as a Presbyterian but since my coming and visiting him and loving him I can see his entire attitude toward TP has changed. Last night I gave him and his family special candy explained the meaning of the purity pledge and its importance.

I really felt he was a gift from god, this beautiful doctor, god had prepared but without our explaining the value of TPs life he had no understanding but to be negative. I felt he is forever changed.

God bless you all, don't think you can't do this, its easy, I am here, I don't speak a lick of Korean but I am learning and I am not rich. Do it for as long as you can when you can and god will work through you.

I look forward to a hot bath in a deep bathtub and to throw my clothes in the dryer, something I have yet to see over here.

All gods love,
Your sister in the homeland,
Betsy Orman

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