Our Visit to WOLBI Jeju, South Korea

I've been trying to use a variety of means to share what is happening during our family's sabbatical in Japan. Today I will begin using my blog in hopes of maximizing the number of people able to hear about happenings here and how the Lord is using us. I also want to invite everyone to check out the new Nippon Initiative Podcast, available on iTunes or www.nipponinitiative.org. To get back episodes, you must be use iTunes. Only the current episode is available on the website. By the way, the purpose of the podcast is to share interesting experiences we have along the way as well as interesting bits of information about Japan and Japanese culture.

Rhonda, Dale, Randy, and Steve

Last Monday, our family traveled to Jeju, South Korea, to meet with the overall director of SYME and to care for matters related to our visas here. We arrived in Seoul late Monday night and then departed on an early morning flight for Jeju, which is an island slightly larger in size than Guam. Jeju is the Hawaii of South Korea and home of the Word of Life Bible Institute (WOLBI) in Asia. Word of Life missionaries, Steve and Rhonda Nicholes, started the Jeju campus two years ago in anticipation of growing numbers of SYME students from across Asia needing additional Bible and ministry training. This Fall begins the second full year of operation.

Well-known Jeju Island Statue

WOLBI-Jeju is located on the northside of the island, slightly west of an imaginary line running through the island's center from north to south. The campus is only a few minutes by car from the ocean and Jeju City. Someone told us that Jeju is known for three things: rocks, wind, and women. There are walls made from volcanic rocks dividing fields and other properties everywhere you look. Jeju was formed by a volcano. As for the wind, it was non-existent while we were there. It was so hot and muggy, in fact, we broke out into a sweat even when we were standing still. The bit about women has to do with the history of the island as a fishing economy. Years ago, absent modern navigational equipment, men would head out to sea to fish and then never return, leaving behind a large number of widows. 

Elliott helping at Jeju for a day

Since the beginning of WOLBI-Jeju, much progress has been made toward completing the master site plan for the campus. There are already four permanent buildings, a greenhouse, and soccer field. Two other buildings are presently under construction. One of them is provides living space for students and staff. The other is a combination dining hall and large classroom/auditorium building. All of the buildings are log-frame. The perimeter walls go together like Lincoln Logs, which is the actual company name of the supplier in the States. Elliott spent one of the days we were there helping to erect one of the perimeter walls for the dining/auditorium building.

Hallim Park

In addition to meeting with Steve and Rhonda about SYME in Japan (the Nicholes also started SYME), our family took an afternoon tour of Hallim Park, featuring exhibits of flowers and reptiles, a replica of an ancient Korean village, a bonsai garden, and caves. WOL missionary, David Kim, led us on this tour. He and his wife, Annie, are a dear young couple expecting their first child near the beginning of November. David speaks very good English, has a tremendous heart for the Lord and His Word, and serves as the Dean of Men at the Institute.

Left to Right: Jeji, Eun, Sungbin, Wonyun, Dale, Randy

On our last night (we were there only two full days), Dale and I had a chance to visit with the family of Dr. Eun Kwang Choi over pizza and tea. The Choi family attended Hamilton Hills until this past January. Dr. Choi was participating in a special training and exchange program at the IU Med Center. What a joy it was to see and visit with them. Dale and I got to know them better toward the end of their time in Fishers, so seeing them again here was a very special treat. We miss them in our church!

Finally, we came back to Karuizawa, Japan, on Thursday, arriving at 10:30 p.m. after having started out quite early from Jeju. Though we were tired, we were refreshed nevertheless by our time with the Nicholes and by seeing how the Lord is definitely using them and the rest of the team there. The next morning, we had an all-staff orientation meeting for SYME in Japan, affording the opportunity to review plans and schedules for the coming term, while also reminding ourselves of overall ministry values and goals. Orientation continues today specifically for the teachers, as we look forward to the arrival of students tomorrow and Monday.

Dale and I, along with Elliott, continue to miss everyone back home. You are definitely not out of sight, out of mind! We love you and are praying for you, as we rejoice meanwhile in all the good reports we are receiving.

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