The Willing Family

From John: My family experienced a very enlightening and encouraging trip to Korea this past summer. It was a great challenge for us! At the same time, it was also an opportunity to watch God do a powerful work through our efforts.

We spent two weeks in July 2005 between two areas, Seoul in the north, and Daegu and Daejeon in the south. In Daegu we spoke in an introductory home schooling conference to Korean couples interested in homeschooling. Although we’re not experienced conference speakers we watched the Lord’s faithfulness pour out on us! He simply wanted us to make ourselves available to His work. At the end of this conference I think WE were the ones blessed as they sang a song of blessing to us that melted our hearts! Their outpouring of love to my family and me was so endearing.

In Daejeon we ministered in music and spoke testimonies at a church which meets on the campus of KAIST, the scientific research center of Korea. It stretched my family a bit to be responsible for the entire worship service! Still, we were well received there and greatly blessed by the ministry there. Back in Seoul, we helped out at a couple of regional homeschool meetings. We also performed more musical concerts at the Church of Joy and did a number of talks for a 2-day music camp (see expanded paragraph below). What a blessing it was to see how God worked in advance of our coming, motivating the people there to organize a phenomenal musical event for the families who came. One family bought a violin the very next day and began looking for a teacher for her son. Look for a dynamic orchestra to form in that area soon! The Lord is inspiring the Korean people tremendously.

Yes, we were a bit scared of the awesome responsibility we felt those two weeks. We wondered how Brad Voeller could trust us to get the job done! But he assured us that God does provide for us when we just make ourselves available! I found it refreshing to see the gratitude of the Koreans for any inspiration and ideas that we are willing to give them.

The Music Camp: At the music camp it was a real treat to see how efficiently the Korean homeschoolers operate when they have an assignment. Everyone takes his or her job seriously, but also joyfully. They were very well prepared for us on our arrival. Whole families showed up for the sessions and there was lots of laughter as they learned the songs and musical techniques.

I could tell they were very excited to start up their own regional homeschool orchestra, and/or some church orchestras. Directing an orchestra isn’t what I do, but I had the chance there to use my musical experience and it went a whole lot better than I expected! It was another example of how the Lord stretched my faith and provided what I needed to succeed. Koreans are very curious about what the Bible says concerning “good music”. During the presentations they were very thoughtful and attentive, and seemed to be trying diligently to apply the information to their hearts and lives. Thank God for their attitude!

From Susan: God is doing a great work in the hearts and lives of Korean families. What a wonderful opportunity we had this summer to be a small part of what God is doing in Korea, and to grow in the Lord. One thing that stands out in my mind from going to Korea is seeing God’s faithfulness and His adequacy. I tend to do things that I think I can do in my own strength. Well, I knew this trip required things far beyond what I could do with my own resources. It required a step of faith, and do you know, by giving these conferences I grew so much in the Lord. I was blessed to see His faithfulness in action, His adequacy and not my own, EVERY step of the way! He showed Himself to me in a wonderful way.

I saw firsthand what a great God we serve. The Lord brought to my heart Eph. 1:10. This trip to Korea was a good work that He had prepared beforehand, and that He was going to accomplish His purpose. That helped me to relax in the Lord and realize He will do it. He took what we had to offer in the way of talents, skills, and availability, and multiplied them miraculously to accomplish what He wanted to do. We all were blessed as a family and came home knowing the reality of our God. We all loved the Korean people. They tend to be very gentle, meek, and gracious. They showed us a lot of love and gratitude.

The homeschooling music camp we did near Seoul was the first of its kind in Korea (the first one for us too!). What a tremendous experience it was! Families were all learning together, from toddlers up to adults, and having a great time. There was a lot of joy, enthusiasm, and inspiration. The Koreans did a phenomenal job of organizing the two-day camp and made sure there was plenty of variety. Interspersed between lectures on practice techniques, principles of good music, and how to develop an orchestra and musical community, were fun music games, solfege, music performances, and an orchestra experience. In just two days, about 30 students who brought various instruments learned and performed some beautiful music for all to hear, and it was an inspiration to hear.

I see such great potential for a fantastic musical community that brings all the different homeschoolers together to play inspiring and lovely music to the glory of God.

From Ruth (16): Korea was such a blessed experience! The children are so cute. Several captured my heart! A little 2-year old thanked me for a grape by giving me the lowest, deepest bow he could muster. It was precious. Many of the children smile at you and even hug you all the time. They’re very affectionate.

I learned a lot by watching the Korean women. They seem so gentle and quiet. I was amazed by the love and graciousness they poured out on us! They make you feel so loved and special. I really admire one thing about their culture---they greatly respect and honor the elderly.

I was also touched by the way they bless you. They hold their hands out to you and sing a blessing song. It was such a unique and special way to bless us. They always show such appreciation and gratitude for us making the trip.

The Koreans I observed had such a reverence and respect for God. They approach Him with such humility. It was such a wonderful example to me.

The land of Korea is beautiful! I wish I could have enjoyed it longer. The food was so much fun to try---especially the metal chopsticks! I would love to go back some day.

From Grace (13): Korea was a really good experience for me. I really enjoyed the people there, especially the children. The people there are hungry to learn. All of them were always very gracious and hospitable to us. The countryside in Korea is beautiful. We took a car trip to an authentic Korean village! We had a guide in uniform that took us around and explained everything. That night we actually slept at the village “Korean style.” This means that you sleep with a slightly padded mat on the floor. We also ate most of our meals on the floor at low tables. I also enjoyed the KTX Railway as everything went flying by at 300.4 km per hour (180 mph)! If your family has a desire to go to Korea I highly suggest you consider it!

From Jonathan (11): The countryside has many hills that have a pleasant appearance. People in Korea live differently than in America. I had my first experience riding on a speed train. The KTX was a fun adventure. The food was different compared to an American diet. I think that Kimchee opened up my sweat pores! It was very hot. What I did in Korea was to play my musical instruments in homeschooling conferences my parents were teaching. It was amazing to think that God is at work on the other side of the world.