Coaching a Team

This was another week of about 50 interviews.  We had so much fun with them.  Their personalities, their energy, their interests, their faith are all such an inspiration to us.!
This week while I was contemplating my role with these wonderful young people, I thought of some of the best athletic coaches I've had over the years or whom I have watched.  We have all these 'players', but though they are playing the same 'game', they are not all playing the game in the same place.  They can't rely on everyone on the team at the same time, they have to rely on just the players right next to them at the moment.  They are literally playing 24/7.
As with any coach, our responsibility is to look at their individual strengths and weaknesses and try to put players together that will have the greatest impact.  In a few cases, we have three together and not two.  That creates new dynamics which have to be considered.

 Here we have a very young looking young man we call our "Iowa farm boy" with a Korean young man several years older.

 Here we have a young Korean sister with a dynamic, energetic Utah girl.

 This group has a Korean raised in California, a Hawaiian girl, an Idaho girl, and a Utah girl.  Some are two transfers in country, some are two transfers from going home.

 We have a young sister from the Philippines and a sister from the east coast.

Here we have a Chinese-American from Hawaii. The picture is of an octopus.  He loves to spear fish and eat octopus.  (Did you know that in order to kill the octopus, you bite it's brain.  We learn something new everyday from these youth.)
Our role is fun in that we have to tailor the coaching and counseling to each of the 112 individuals.  Like on any team, some have more natural talents and need little guidance from us.  However, others are less sure and have played less of this game and need a little more personal attention.  Some have fouled and need some discipline.  Some get a little big in the head and need humbling.  Some are so good, yet don't think much of themselves and need a little pep talk.
Some people would probably look at us more like conductors of a unique orchestra.  However, they play so far apart, music is clearly not the results.  Whatever the metaphor or analogy one may want to use, we are having fun working with these 'players' and watching each one develop their game!
Occasionally, the coach gets a special thank you from the players:

This weekend we didn't take much time to relax because of all that was going on.  The missionaries are being so blessed in their work we could have been in six or seven different venues this weekend and not seen the fruits of their labors.  On Saturday, we were able to witness an 18 year-old young lady enter the waters of baptism with her uncle referring her to the missionaries and after they taught her, he baptized her.  She is a bright light.  Her mother attended and is now showing interest in the message that is bringing her daughter such joy.

The missionaries prepared a musical number to share.

Of course, they love being with the coaches and to ham it up like they would after any game winner!

Each baptismal service usually follows this agenda: 
Start with pictures of the person receiving baptism with the missionaries and or family and friends.  Sometimes unique characters join the photo shoot... This little one's older sister was baptized some time ago and has now brought her little sister to church.

Then there are messages shared and music sang. In this case, the young 10 year old introduced herself and shared her feelings about the day and the good people in her life.

 Usually, the missionaries sing a song sharing their love.  We're amazed at the musical talent of these missionaries. At least three of these young ladies could have been playing the piano here.

Afterwards, the local church ward or branch brings out the food and shares their love through food.  They all know the way to the missionary's heart is through his/her stomach...

We've had a few missionaries put on 40 pounds in six months.  We have to coach them a little differently.  We have one college prospect with a scholarship to play wide receiver, but at the rate he's going he'll be an offensive tackle...

We had our first real snow this week. The temperatures have been cold and we have to be cautious because our missionaries spend so much of their day outside.  However, like anywhere else with snow, when there is work to be done, they love to serve.  It's fun to be with them.

 This coach had a cold flight in for this event...

We traveled over much of the mission again this week and found a few more unique things to share.  We have the luxury of capturing some of these where the missionaries may not be able to or may not think they are so unique any more.
 We have had no idea what this meant, but of course you can find anything you want on Google, right?  Tart Farm

Why put a smell in your fridge or freezer when you can hang out dinner on the clothes line.

 On a downtown street we found architects were bored and decided to show people climbing up a pole.  We saw it in passing and took a picture, no chance to investigate.

Once again, we've had a fun week with our team members.  They are seeing tremendous miracles everyday.  They are showing results that are nearly double what we've seen before in our mission.  They are happy and working hard.  Some areas in which they play are more challenging and need additional coaching or guidance, but their attitudes remain fixed in faith and diligence.  When we leave them, we look at each other and say "Wow, these guys are incredible!"
If you've sent one of your children to play on this team, we thank you.  They are blessing our lives more than we could imagine.  We are seeing miracles every day!

One more interesting story to share before we end.  It made Terri and I really laugh! and excerpt from a letter received earlier this week:
My letters all sound the same, so I will end it a little different this time because a very funny thing happened this week!!! haha Me and my companion were walking and we said Hello to a Grandma and she just in shock, started telling us how handsome we were and how she was so happy!! Keep in mind she was like 80 years old and just bursting out in joy haha!! And when we finally said bye she patted [my companion] and then spanked my butt!!! I was in complete shock and so confused [my companion] and I just speed walked away it was a pretty funny moment.

Interviews, Cultural Experiences and more

This week was a very busy week.  Terri had the opportunity on Monday to get into one of the local open air markets called Moran Market.  As you can see in the pictures here, it's a place where you can get just about anything.  The missionaries get to see these types of markets periodically.  Some are small and only in a location for one day a week and others are larger and in one place a few days and then move to another location.  Like I said, this is just a small sample of what you can acquire.  Please enjoy the minor commentary...

 You have to start with your basic fruits and nuts...

By the handful or the kilo.

 I bet you didn't realize there were so many types of roots, and vegetables and various items you can dry and make into herbs and spices.  Korean cooking uses lots of interesting things.  All which add great flavor to the food.

Of course you have to have your ginger and other roots to spice up the teas and finer things in life...

 For those who need some meat in their diet, you have dried fish and cuddle fish or squid...

 along with the rays, sharks, and skate...

not to mention the small frogs, turtles, snails and other things to add color and 'flavor' to your meals;

as well as man's best friend, rabbits, and chickens.

You must have the Adidas and Nikes right next to all those goodies...

You can decorate your garden inside or out, and for the children shopping with you,

There must be candy!  The wrapped items you might expect, but the large buckets in front are called Beondegi.  For your entertainment, here is what Wikipedia says about it: 
Beondegi (Korean: 번데기) is a snack food in Korean cuisine.^[1] Literally meaning "chrysalis" or "pupa" in Korean, Beondegi are steamed or boiled silkworm pupae which are seasoned and eaten as a snack.^[2] Beondegi are often served by street vendors, as well as in restaurants and drinking establishments. They are also sold in cans in grocery stores and convenience stores, but they must be boiled in water before serving. Beondegi is not always sold in the market and is usually sold from street vendors, although it is possible to buy the live variant for personal preparation.
Ask your missionary about that special treat...
Of course one item greatly loved is called Hoddeok.  You can buy it in the grocery store like bread, but is best prepared by a street vendor.  On a cold day, this sweet pastry snack is awesome.
Here's an opportunity to wet your appetite: Hoddoek  I can tell you Terri was most anxious to return to Korea for this cold winter treat.

 During the week we did interviews and try to attend some zone training meetings.  Last week we attended this conference is Suwon.

 We missed the one in our own area, but we got their picture.  We're trying to get your missionaries in the pictures.  We hope the families enjoy them.

 This group also did some role playing, splitting into groups with some teaching and the others being taught.  It's a great learning technique if done properly.  For those learning a foreign language, it is exceptionally helpful.  For those that tend to be nervous when teaching, it is a great practice technique.  They do it in their apartments and in their training events.

 We try to visit a little with the missionaries in informal venues as well.  We met these two sisters, one from Australia and the other from Korea making a little snowman in the 1/8" of snow we got.

 While I meet with one missionary, Terri visits with the other and then we switch.  At least they are smiling!

 In the evening we have been trying to go teach and proselyte with the missionaries.  In the morning we do personal study in their homes. Terri goes with the sisters and I go with the elders. This past week and the week to come we will be with the zone leaders and sister training leaders.  While visiting homes I like to see how they are organized.  When you have four to six elders in one house with only two bedrooms, they typically use one for studying, one for all the clothes and the living room for sleeping.  They sleep on mats on the floor so they fold up in the morning.  Missionaries aren't home much so other furniture isn't needed much.  The room held for clothes is interesting indeed...

 We are so impressed at how well they do with taking care of things and making good use of space.  They do their own laundry in a washer and then hang the clothes to dry.  They all know how to iron their clothes!  Moms should be very proud.

We travel quite a bit during the weeks of interviews.  We catch a few nice sites.  This is one of the main gates around the city of Suwon.  At night it's a nice view.

 Since we are out late and up early, we have a few nights at hotels.  We really liked this spot.  It reminds us of Mushu from the Disney movie "Mulan".

 This week we said goodbye to a senior couple, Elder and Sister Park. They are Korean, but emigrated to Australia some 20 years ago.  They have been so helpful to us as they are the ones who have to work to secure housing, negotiate leases, fix all kinds of problems, etc.  With something like 30 apartments in the mission, they have been very helpful.  New church buildings mean missionary moves.  Aging apartments mean moves.  It takes a tremendous load off the shoulders of the mission president to have such a capable man and his wife to help with all these things.  We will miss Elder and Sister Park, but we know their family, especially the grandchildren are happy to have them home!

The highlight of the week for us was the special experience of making the Korean delicacy of Kimchi.  At Christmas, Terri had asked the wives of the church leaders if anyone could help her learn how to make Kimchi. The wife of President Lee, Inho of the Seoul West Stake volunteered.  We got a cool surprise when they invited us to be taught by a Kimchi Master (true title).  For about an hour we listened to her teach the finer arts as well as make some ourselves.  She had the ingredients there for our simple pleasure, but we got the real hands-on experience.  Thank you, President and Sister Lee.  This was truly a highlight to our cultural experience here.  We got to bring several kilos of kimchi home with us which we are most excited about. 

Finally, it was a good few days for me.  Just a few days ago, we received a Christmas box from our son Josh and his wonderful family.  It had a special little gift which you can see to my left (your right as you look at the picture) which really summarizes what it's like to be a grandparent!

Then, Terri surprised me a few days early with a special gift which I missed during the Christmas holiday season.  I was quite happy.  I didn't share much, but I was so happy!

Finally, Terri surprised me at staff meeting today with some Baskin and Robbins ice cream.  It was fun to be with her and the staff.  It's hard to believe I am only a few years (or decades) older than these lovely young missionaries we get to spend so much time with. 

One more note, at Christmas we had five zone conferences.  We have six zones, but we had to combine two smaller zones to get them all into the week.  The picture of these two zones was not included in the December blogs and I wanted to make sure mom and dad got to see their son or daughter who is in these two zones.

Once again, it's been an amazing week with some of the best young people on the planet.  They bring us smiles, joy, and occasionally surprises.  The newest one was putting a Choko Pie in the microwave for ten seconds and having a warm treat.  They truly share their pleasures with us.

Millenials

A lot is said about the current generation of millennials.  Some also call them 'snowflakes' because they seem to not be able to handle the heat or pressure they get put under.  We have seen that.  However, I can also say we are working with 111 amazing 'millennials' that we believe are pretty amazing.

It truly is amazing how these 18-21 year old young men and women go to work.  Do you know many who will forgo academic, music, athletic, art scholarships for 18 months or two years of the daily rejection that these young people do? 

Most mission trips are for a week or two, but how about this group which represent over 80,000 of their peers around the world?  They wash dishes in welfare centers, feed invalid and handicapped adults and children, they make food to feed the hungry.  The smiles that come from them while they do this work is amazing.  They teach some English a few hours a week.
They have a deep conviction and faith in the message they are sharing.  Imagine setting a goal to speak to at least 100 people everyday sharing your message knowing that in a single week maybe only one or two will give you the time to hear your message.  The rest will reject you coldly. 
Imagine them, male and female, in tears bearing witness to a truth and seeing the changes in lives and the joy and peace brought into families.  These are not entitled youth.  They are giving so much.  They arise at 6:30 every morning and retire at 10:30 absolutely worn out.  However, they also know how to laugh and have fun.  We have world class violinists, pianists, athletes in our  midst.  They sing, they celebrate, and they cry.  They don't cry for themselves so much as for those they love.

Terri and I are having so much fun with them.  We had a mission leadership council meeting this week with this group.  Their personalities are pretty amazing.  We would offer this group to most any organization as quality leaders who are organized, goal-driven, focused, and fun to be around.
Here's a link to a recent posting of one person's perspective on this generation.  It was very eye-opening and instructive.  However, please don't use this brush to paint all our young people!
Millennials - What's Wrong.

This week was focused on preparing for the rest of the transfer.  We have learned of some significant changes to the daily and monthly schedule which the missionaries will learn more of in a conference we will conduct at the end of the month.  More responsibility for managing their schedule will be given to them.  Read Doctrine and Covenants 58:26-28 to understand the new responsibility they will have. 

 People often wonder if some of the comforts we take for granted in the US are available to us here.  On our way recently to a Costco we passed this place.  I think some of you will recognize it.  We don't have a need for anything, but it's nice to know it's there...

 We showed one of these before, this one is up close and personal.  If you have concerns about the safety of the construction workers with warning signs, you can use one of these guys.  Many of them are two-faced, you can catch them coming and going...

As you know, soccer is a big deal here.  In the background you an see the exercise equipment which is primarily used by the older generation.  I can't tell if that's a white mustache or his teeth.

 We finally had the opportunity to get away for a few minutes.  We were near Osan Air Force base on Saturday evening attending a baptism and found a number of tourist traps selling everything from tailored suits and shirts and other clothes to flags, wood carvings, celadon pottery to foods, novelties and other trinkets.  We also heard there was a good selection of international foods.  We wandered through until we found good Indian food. It was across the street from a nice Thai restaurant and around the corner from Mexican and Turkish food.  I'm sure we'd have found more.  Too bad it's over an hour from home...  On the way out we found they still had up a few Christmas decorations.

I mentioned briefly last week that we attended a school graduation for the children of North Korean refugees.  It's a nice big school with very modern technology.  However, one thing we can't get accustomed to and was true in this school as well, is that they only heat the rooms.  All the hallways, stairwells, etc. are not heated.  Boy was it cool.  Gratefully, the assembly hall was heated, but everyone still wore their coats.

The most unique part of the ceremony was the washing of the students' feet by the teachers and staff.  There were so many tears shed.  This is not a school supported by or sponsored in anyway by a religious group.  The government supports it.  However, they had this very amazing ceremony as an attempt to tighten the relationship long term for the youth and their teachers.

We took two of our missionaries with us because they will have the opportunity to provide English conversation assistance.  We will not be proselyting, but we hope these missionaries and any others who participate in the future will bring additional positive examples to youth, many who have lived in hardship for many years.

As for the "Wow, this is unique!" offering for the week, while driving on Sunday we passed this interesting architecture.  It was pretty cool.

Finishing where we started, we are involved in some unique situations.  We are living in a different culture, trying to speak a very complicated language, sharing a message of faith in a country whose religious foundation is Buddhism and some Confucianism and strongly focused on worshipping ancestors and yet we're having nothing but fun.  We are surrounded by young people who are happy, dedicated and diligent.  We can tell you that there is great hope for this generation.  They do need some guidance and occasional discipline, but all in all, they are an amazing group. 

With a schedule full of interviews for the next few weeks, we hope to have more pictures of your missionaries.  We are so blessed to be spending so much time with them.