So I just read over our blog and realized I haven't posted anything in over two months! Luckily Emily has been keeping you all abreast (since when do I use the word abreast?). I was just reminded what a wonderful woman she is... I don't deserve to have her as my wife, but then you all already knew that! As Emily has said life here in Korea continues to be wonderful and God continues to teach us. He has taught us sooo much about marriage, languages, missions/ministry, and just plain living. We've learned so much and praise Him for the work he has done through us so undeservedly amidst our learning, our mistakes, our weaknesses, our joys, and our passions. Please pray for us... Pray that God would humble us amidst all the joy and passion we have concerning His work here. We desire to always find ourselves humbled and broken at the foot of the cross ever relying solely on Him. So please pray that as our joy and passion overflow in growing faith we would be further humbled according to the grace we have received. This is what we need...and desire.

One amazing work God has been doing through us includes two English Bible studies we've been leading. One has been for Christians and we lead that one at our Church. Usually we have 5-6 participants at that study. It has been both a blessing to lead that study and also have good (though slow moving) discussions! God has used this study as a way of feeding not only the participants, but also God has fed us through this study.

The other study is for non-Christians and is at our home at 6:00 on Sunday nights. We've only met about 4 times so far, but its exciting to witness God's work during these times! Truly, the spirit is present and it is oh so refreshing!!!! I (and Emily too) look forward to this part of my week with great anticipation! Three students from company English classes are the current participants. They've all come every time and are always SO interested in what we study. They listen with such intent when we share about our faith, experiences, and God's word. They have so many wonderful questions... many of which Emily and I have never thought of before. Its been great for us to realize how the Bible is viewed by those with fresh eyes. They haven't been told by the American Church their whole life what the Bible says and they don't have many of the pre(mis)conceptions Americans at the fringes of or outside the church often do (or even those inside the church). Its been refreshing for us to understand more fully (through their questions and honest, straight-forward approach to trying to understand the Bible) the truths of scripture without having to try and peal away 2,000 years of varnish, stain, and polyurethane.

So we give praise and glory to God almighty, the God of love! For we know that "He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again." (2 Corinthians 5:15). And this is our prayer. Our prayer for ourselves... that which we pray for the participants in our study as He seeks them out, and it is also our prayer for you. For we have been called away from ourselves to lives of rejoicing in Him in word and deed. May you rejoice in the grace and love He has lavished upon you, and may you have faith as the North Korean woman (see below post), the faith to swim whatever guarded river He is calling you to cross... regardless of the dangers that lie on the other side. "For we have such a hope that we are very bold!" (2 Corinthians 3:12). Let us then live like this! Please pray that Emily and I would live according to this great hope. Thank you for your continued prayers. We send God's grace and love.