Rant

During my first year we were told that the Korean government mandated that all foreign workers have their health insurance program. I found this interesting because after talking with other foreign workers, they said they have never heard this. So, if this really were government mandated, wouldn't every foreign worker know this?

So, last week at work we found out some surprising news about our Korean health insurance. We found out that this mandated insurance also includes a mandatory physical (which includes a mandatory blood test among other things). If we don't do this, the school gets fined $10,000.

I spoke with another friend of mine today and asked her if she has to go through with this physical too. I was informed that the Korean insurance is no longer mandatory. I asked another foreign friend of mine, and she said that the physical is optional for them.

I'm so confused and really quite upset. I'm not really sure where my HUGE fear of needles came from but I'd rather be dropped off the insurance than go through with this physical. It's so dumb too, we've got American insurance which once we cover our deductible, the insurance pays for the rest. All that to say, there really is no need for us to have this Korean insurance.

Also, get this... we have to fast from midnight or so the night before (which kind of makes sense because of the blood test) and a fast from water from about that point on. Does it make sense that these doctors think that drinking water will really effect a height, weight, heart, eye, or ear test, blood pressure (which mine will be sky high because of the needles), chest x-ray or urine test (which by the way; how are we supposed to do that if we don't have any water in our system?)? Urgh. Sometimes it's so easy to get frustrated with the way things go when you can't communicate directly.

It's bogus that we've got to do something that we're told is mandatory which really isn't.

Maeby

Matt and I recently decided to add to our family... We got a puppy! :0) Through translation we were semi-able to figure out what breed she is. The lady at the store told us that she's a Pekingese, but she's a short hair. So we're a bit confused. Or, looking at it maybe her coat hasn't filled out.

The best part is... Koreans treat dogs like they are children. They do everything from dressing them up, to carrying them around in strollers, baby carriers or nice little puppy carriers, to dyeing their fur.

All that to say that since Maeby is all white, they dyed her cheeks pink.

I know, enough of me, on to the pictures. :0)

These are pictures from Maeby's first bath. Doesn't she look funny?

Matt's update letter.

For those of you who do not receive it; this is Matt's prayer/ update letter that he just sent. Enjoy!


Greetings, to my precious family in Christ. I
apologize as it's been a while since we've sent out an
update. It's been a busy few months as we started
teaching our classes and getting used to routines once
again. In everything, God is good.

I'm (Matt) enjoying my new job as I'm still teaching
English as a Second Language to elementary students,
only with a more structured system than that of a
haukwan.

Beka is enjoying teaching her third year of English
Literature, and her second of Speech and drama. She's
planning a musical with the music teacher. They're
still searching for the right one to do, but since the
musical will be in the spring they have time to work
with.

Beka and I will begin a life after high school
discipleship group for juniors and seniors this week.
We currently have eleven students signed up for the
group. Please pray that we will work together well and
be the guiding influence He would have us to be.

Next week will be our Spiritual Emphasis week. A
musical group called station two will visit during
that time. Our prayer is that the gospel will be
preached and that students will be challenged to trust
in Him as Lord and Savior, or to draw nearer to Him.

I was excited to hear about two baptisms in our
church. I've been praying for a member of my college
group, Paul. He had been quiet about it, but it turns
out he made a decision to follow Christ a couple of
months ago. He talked to our pastor and was baptized
at our church's retreat on Wednesday, October 3. Beka
and I were unable to attend the retreat because we
didn't have this Korean holiday off. Still, I rejoice
that God continues to answer prayer.

The second baptism was another member of the college
group, Soo Ik. He had grown up in the church, but
hadn't made a decision to be baptized until now. He
hated the attention, but I told him how a public
confession of faith is important.

I thank God for the work He has done and will continue
to do in our church and school.

In closing, we thank each of you for your prayers,
encouragement and support. God bless each of you as
you continue to sere Him.

In Christ,
Matt and Beka

Eventful Weeks

A lot has happened over the past few weeks.

First, there were two possibilities for our mission trip this year, the Philippines and India. The mission team decided that the Philippines was the best choice for our group of kids this year. This was a tough decision for me to handle since I was the one with the Indian contact. I really don’t feel the pull to go to the Philippines (and really, neither does Matt).

Matt and I have decided to go to India to see what the program is all about and how our team may fit in, in the future. Right now, we’re still trying to figure out if we’re going to go during spring break (when VBS will be going on in India) or if we will go at Christmas break (when we’d have more time). Please pray for us as we try to make that decision. Pray for us too as we determine whether or not we need to ask for support for this trip (since airplane tickets to India are around/ over $1,000 each).

In the past week Matt and I have had three adventures too, to the hospital. Last Saturday morning, I was getting breakfast ready when my thumb decided to get in the way of the knife I was using to cut. Matt called our high school principal first since he’s a former EMT. He came over, wrapped it and went home. My biggest fear at this point was that I was going to have to get stitches. The slice in my thumb was pretty big. I waited about half an hour but the bleeding hadn’t stopped. So, I called one of the Korean ladies from school to take us to a hospital. We went, and I ended up getting two stitches in my thumb.

This is a picture of what it looked like today after I got the stitches out. I cut it from where you can see it to about the middle of my fingernail.

I know it doesn’t sound like much, but your fingers and toes are some of the most sensitive places on your body. Before I start this, let me remind you that I am practically terrified of needles. They gave me two shots in my thumb which was supposed to numb it. Apparently since I did cut my thumb and it was close to the bone, what they numbed was not what they stitched up. I will admit, I am a baby when it comes to needles.

Not being able to feel my thumb for a week (because it was wrapped) made pretty much everything an interesting task. Because of the stitches I couldn’t get my thumb wet. I really don’t know what I would have done had I still been in a roommate situation since I was totally dependant on Matt.

Speaking of things getting cut, I cut my hair even shorter. I’ve been looking at this hairstyle for about a year but I didn’t get it cut because of the wedding. So, this week, Matt and I went to a place called Miss Piggy’s (yes, that is the real name) and I got it chopped off again. I have received some very nice compliments about it which is reassuring.

As for school things, our discipleship program starts up this week. Matt and I are leading a group of about twelve 11^th and 12^th graders. The topic of our group is “Life After High School.” This will be my second year leading this group and Matt’s first. The size of the group from last year has over doubled in size and Matt and I can tell that the Lord really has some cool things in store for our group. Please pray for productive and fruitful meetings with our students.

More to come as the year progresses.