Mongolia Week 1

After picking up our American friends and serving and Daegu, we all took off for Mongolia (after a 1 day flight delay.)  Mongolia is by far the strangest place I've ever been.  It's the least "westernized" of the countries I've visited.  The sky is incredibly beautiful and the weather is so pleasant, but the city is filthy.  Everything is coated in dust and there is trash and broken bottles are everywhere.  The roads are the roughest I've ever seen. There are literally huge pot holes and piles of rocks all over the roads and the traffic is absolute chaos.  We've witnessed wrecks, fights, etc.  It's quite an adventure!

We arrived at Chinggis Khan Airport in Ulaanbaatar last Tuesday.  It's a tiny little airport and the passengers all clapped after we landed!  I guess they are pleased that we made it safely.  I'm not accustomed to any other outcome...

We are staying in 2 locations.  The Blackmons and Yis are staying in a Russian built apartment building.  It's very run down by American standards, but it has hot water and a place to sleep.  We are very grateful for the hospitality. The Americans stayed at a hotel called "Holiday" (you should ask them about it...) for the first few days and as of today they and the other Korean team members are staying in the university dorms.

We just finished our first camp today.  We spent our days with Korean missionary children here in Ulaanbaatar.  We sang songs, played games, had teaching time and small group times. It was a good camp.  I've had a severe head cold, though.

I've been so proud of our team.  Ross is now a drummer.  He actually played our entire camp here with chopsticks because the drumsticks were too loud.  Erica and Hannah did a great job leading worship, Barry was the overall leader of camp (his first time doing that) and we all had small groups.  It's been good.

We are very blessed to be able to encourage and strengthen our Asian brothers and sisters.  We feel that God has called us to serve and bless them as they reach out and serve here in Mongolia.

Tomorrow we will have a worship service and then regroup for the upcoming seminar.  We will be ministering to 800 to 1000 Mongolians there.  I will lead worship for 1.5 hours a day, so if you don't mind, please pray for this miserable cold to go away.  Also, please pray for the Mongolian people.  Mongolia is a very poor nation in many ways.  It's intense and so visible everywhere you look.  These people are so hungry for the Gospel, but there is such an oppression and a lot of anger and hostility here.  They need a breakthrough.  Thanks for praying with us for God's will!

Summer and then... Home

Hi!

I'm so sorry we haven't updated the blog more faithfully.  Things here have been fantastic and our hearts and minds are staying so full!  It's time to get some of it on paper, so-to-speak.  I'm not even sure where to start, but here goes...

Pastor Kidoong has been asked to be the lead pastor of a new church.  So, every Tuesday we've been meeting together to pray, worship, fellowship and hear the word.  I've been leading worship in English for the group and then the word is shared in Korean.  This particular group is missions-focused.  We have members fluent in Korean, English, Chinese, Mongolian, etc.  The church will be called The Hub and will be located in Gangnam with branches extending to Taiwan, Thailand, the U.S., China, Mongolia, Germany, France, Holland and other nations.  It's a very exciting time and we are thrilled to see how God is building His global church and spreading His harvest nets across the world through people of so many different nationalities and cultures.

We are still actively involved at Youndong.  Barry continues to teach children, middle-school, high-school and young adult classes as well as preaching on Sunday nights and I have enjoyed leading worship for the weekly English service as well as Bible study time with the worship team and teaching a Bible study on relationships for the young adults.  We've also continued to help KidWorship with vocal and film work for their children's English curriculum.

Another project that is underway is the completion of the worship CD for young adults/adults.  We recorded 2 songs for it last January at Tree Sound and we've continued the process from Korea.  We're planning to get that out in September just before our worship tour in Europe.

Right now Barry and I are focusing our energies on preparing for Kids Camps and Seminars this summer.  We will take a break from our work responsibilities (although we'll continue our Sunday commitments) from July through mid-August.  We will put on 12 English Camps/Seminars in 3 different countries.  The schedule will be intense, but the opportunities are phenomenal.  We will be able to teach and train both children and adults in Korea, Mongolia and China.

We are currently writing the curriculum for these camps and preparing for the arrival of the U.S. team members.  I'm also trying to pack and organize a bit so I'm not so overwhelmed in September when we prepare to return to the U.S.

As it stands, we will finish camps/seminars mid-August and then resume our old work schedule for the last 2 weeks of August.  (I don't yet know how the finances will work out when Barry and I are out of work for the 6 weeks of camps and then September, but I'm trusting that God will provide as He always, always has.

In September Barry will run a marathon at the DMZ (I think he's going to incorporate some fundraising for missions so stay-tuned), we will take our first and last family vacation in Korea to Jeju Island (I'm REALLY excited), Barry will travel to Thailand with Kidoong, we will pack for home and then Barry and the kids will fly back to the U.S.  After Barry and the kids leave I will go with Kidoong and a handful of others to the Hillsong Conference in Hague October 2nd-4th and then we will lead worship at various locations in Europe for 2 weeks and then I'll fly home to America.  I'm such a family nut, so I know I'll miss Barry and the kids like crazy, but I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to worship Jesus in Europe.

Barry and the kids will stay with the grandparents for the first 2 weeks of October and then October 15th they will move in to Snow's Mill Guest House for a month or so.  I will join them there when I return.

Barry intends to look for a nursing job when he gets back to the U.S.  Beyond that we don't know what's next other than getting a car and hopefully moving back into our old house before Christmas.  We will continue our work with KidsWorship and next year we'll house some of the Korean team members for a few months and work together in our home on materials.

That's what I know so far.  I'm trying to remember to live in the present.  With so many plans waiting in the future I continually have to remind myself to just be in today!

So anyway, enjoy your "today" and we'll see you soon!

Winter 2012

(This is not an uncommon sight...)

Spring is almost here.  We had snow flurries this past weekend, but we'll get up into the 50's this week.  I hear it's been HOT in Georgia.  I know you all have enjoyed the flowers and the opportunities to be outdoors.

Today is Monday, our weekly day off from school, work and ministry responsibilities.  Barry and Sam went to the local English library and Will's playing a Wii game here at the house.  I've got a cold so it's a good day to just type and think, hence the blog update.

We've had a good Winter.  We're finally settling into the new routine.  I'm home more, which means I can keep up with house work and cooking.  I really missed cooking last year!  I didn't miss the housework, though.  Our relationships and connections here are stronger and more established and we are really enjoying that.  It's so nice to feel at home here.

Barry's birthday is in a couple of days.  He was presented with a cake and a song at the Y.E.S. service last night.  That was fun!  Hopefully, we'll do something unique as a family to celebrate his birthday.  I'm still brainstorming about that.

We're continuing to homeschool Samantha (7th) and Will (4th).  That's going well.  I'm always trying to tweak our schedule to improve things and teach the kids, especially Will, how to manage time and not get overwhelmed with the tasks at hand.  So far, so good.

Barry is still teaching various Bible studies and sharing at the Y.E.S. service each week as well as teaching English to the KidsWorship staff 5 days a week.  He's mentioned lately how much he enjoys teaching the middle school students because of their receptivity and interest.  I'm still leading worship for Y.E.S. and Tuesday night prayer as well as teaching a Bible study on Sunday nights.  The Y.E.S. band is preparing for finishing a CD by June.  Barry and I are also working with KidsWorship recording children's songs and videos for their kids curriculum.  I spoke in Korean for the last one.  Oh dear!  That one's going to be funny...

We're writing curriculum now for our summer camps and ministry opportunities in Mongolia, China and Korea.  We'll have 6 straight weeks of camps and training seminars starting in July.  We'll fly 4 additional team members in from the U.S. for that.

Another project that we will carry over into life in the U.S. is developing more children's discipleship materials (teaching, songs, videos, etc.) with no copy write so that we can copy and distribute it freely in other countries.  Right now we've got open doors to China and Mongolia.  We're also looking at Taiwan and Thailand.

As for when we return to the U.S. right now it looks like we'll spend October in Europe and then come back to the U.S. in November.  Our schedule is always changing, though, so I'm not sure how it will all pan out.

Our house in the U.S. is still being rented out. Our tenants have done a fantastic job paying rent every month and the contract will end at the end of October 2012, which is perfect.  If we come home in November then the house will be ready and we can prepare to move back in.  So, despite setbacks, like having to replace the HVAC, everything is working out.

That's all I can think of to share.  We're just grateful for the opportunity to be here, support His work in the Eastern Church and help share the Word with the Nations.

Love,
The Blackmons

First Bloom

Here's our first bloom in our little "yard." Spring is right around the corner!

Work

As we returned to Seoul this year, Barry and I sense a need to make the most of our remaining time here. We want to work and invest our time in the relationships and ministry projects that the Lord has given us while we have the opportunity.

My employers and visa sponser, S&P, have graciously offered to support us as we continue our mission here. They are willing to provide our visas and insurance in return for 3 hours of work a week teaching English. Barry will also work an 5 hours teaching Tae Kwon Do.

This arrangement allows us the incredible opportunity to spend more time working for KidsWorship, more time for translating and writing songs, more time for leading Bible studies and small groups so that we can invest as much as possible in the remainder if our time here.

We are very thankful and humbled by this incredible situation. Like they say, where God guides, God provides - abundantly!!!

Below is a picture of Joy-Bird in our "yard."

Annnnnnd We Are Back...

We had a GREAT time in the US with family and friends. Christmas and New Year's were fantastic. We spent the last 2 weeks of the trip hosting 7 of our Korean brothers. We had a blast showing them our "world" here in America and introducing them to our "people." We also got some recording done -- 2 songs ("On the Cross" and "Wonderful"). I think they'll be on iTunes under "kidsworship 5.5" soon.

Now, we're back in Seoul with time to focus on settling into family life, homeschool and our ministry priorities. We miss our friends and family back home, but it's good to back here with our Korean family.

I'm going to try and post more frequently even if it's short just to stay connected with y'all back home.

November

Oh man it's almost Christmas!!!  Time is flying by.  It's time for an update.

Korea is getting colder, but it sounds like Georgia has us beat!  Y'all had your first frost before we did and it sounds like you may get a snowfall before we do.  Crazy Georgia weather.

Right now we have a friend staying with us for 10 days.  We met him last year at Taize in France.  He is Dutch and is a worship leader.  Kidoong went to Holland to visit him and his church, "Door Brekkers," a couple of months ago.  He arrived last Thursday, Thanksgiving Day (more on that later...).  Rutger joined us for a worship team retreat and participated with me and the YES team for leading worship for 2 services.  He did a great job and we all really enjoyed having him. 

About Thanksgiving... well, let's just say that I'm glad "thanksgiving" is not confined to food, family and geographic location.  I'm hoping for a little turkey when I come back for Christmas.  I had to work extra for Thanksgiving and there was no time for cooking or celebrating in the way we would in the U.S.  I struggled with homesickness that day.

Barry and the kids are doing great.  Most kids make a paper chain to count down the days to Christmas.  Sam and Will made a paper chain to count down the days until our flight back to the U.S.!  It will be a happy time.

See you all SOON!!!