I’m currently sitting in my favorite
coffee shop in Lynchburg (shout out to Bean Tree Café!) sipping an Americano. I
have a million and one things to do before I leave in one week. YES—one week
from today. It’s seriously getting real. Lynchburg has been my home for the
better part of almost four years now. From dorms to a house to now, an
apartment, I love this city. I’m sad to leave, but excited for the next
chapter in my life.
Last night I found out that my apartment
is in the building right next to the school where I will be teaching. It’s a
one-bedroom, all to myself, and it’s on Café Street. So the street is literally
lined with coffee shops. My personal mission is to visit every single one of
them and find the best one J
I’m close to the capital, Seoul, and I can get there easily by metro. The
shopping is apparently FANTASTIC in South Korea and that is something (as a
girl…) I’m looking forward to.
Like I’ve said before, I’ll be teaching
English in a K-12 Christian academy. When I arrive, I’ll find out what classes
I will be teaching. I’ll be teaching English with a wonderful couple from here
in Lynchburg (we’re hopefully flying out on the same day to South Korea)! They
are super sweet and I’m blessed that we’re stepping out in faith, together, and
in some ways, the same boat. None of us have ever been to South Korea but we
have a burden for the people and the kids we’ll be teaching there.
I would say the top two questions that I
have been asked in regards to my trip are:
“Are you excited?”
“Are you nervous?”
Yes. The answer is a whole-hearty yes.
I’m excited that I’m going to a country
and experiencing a new culture. I feel so privileged for the opportunity to be
fully immersed in a new language that I can learn. I can’t wait to meet South
Korean people in their country and learn about their culture, history, and
mannerisms.
I’m nervous (TERRIFIED) that I’m going
to a country where I currently only know how to say “hello” in the language. I’m
scared that I won’t be understood or understand other people. I’m afraid of
racism and stereotypes. I’m nervous to try foods where I don’t quite know the
ingredients of the dish.
But more than these feelings, I have a
peace. I know that this is where God is calling me for this season (or, as
several of my good friends have told me: that they don’t think I’ll come back
;) The peace of God is greater than my feelings. And that is my comfort and
hope.
P.S. I leave the country one week from
today, but I’m leaving Lynchburg on Saturday. If you would like to meet up one
last time, shoot me a text or a fb message and let’s see if we can’t get together
before I head out!
