Oh Korea!

Hello friends!

I'm writing this from a really neat cafe in Yong-In, South Korea!

"Caffe D'ate: Roasting Coffee and Dessert"

Artsy-retro decor

Anyway, it's a super cute place. EVERYTHING in Korea is really cute. Appearance is very important here: people, gifts, packaging, architecture, decor, etc.  

This has been such an example to me of how giftings from God are so wonderful when they are redeemed and properly understood, and so devastating when they aren't. 

Koreans have a gift for making things beautiful and welcoming and perfect. Even their take-out food is wrapped beautifully... almost to the point where I don't want to eat the food and destroy the wrapping.... almost. ;)

They have really got a knack for creativity and creating beauty.

However, the other side of this is that they feel the need to be physically "perfect." In Korea, there is one standard for beauty: thin faces, big eyes, defined chins and cheek bones and noses, and a thin body. If you don't look like that, you're ugly and you need plastic surgery. 

Plastic surgery is huge over here... many parents pay for plastic surgery for their kids as a gift when they graduate from high school. Most people in America try to hide it if they get plastic surgery, but here it's pretty normal and people don't even try to hide it anymore. No one thinks it's wrong. 

I taught on Identity this past week, and it was interesting to hear feedback from the kids. One of the main points I make in the teaching is that our identity doesn't come from what we look like. Our worth doesn't come from our appearance. God created us with care and fashioned us individually, and He doesn't make mistakes... So how does that affect our thoughts about our appearance? What about plastic surgery? 

We asked God to come and give us new perspective, and it was so amazing to hear what He had to say to each individual student and it was encouraging to actually see the difference in how students carried themselves once they had a revelation of how God sees them and an understanding of their value apart from what they look like, what they do, what they have, their mistakes, etc. 

That despite all of these things (or lack of these things), the God of the universe loved them enough to freely give that which was most dear to Him: His only Son. 

What a mighty God we serve! He is so loving and kind!

And I am so blessed and encouraged each day as I get to see Him work in my own life and in the lives of others. What a privilege! :)

This is Kristin. Isn't she beautiful??
When she first came to the camp, she would barely look anyone in the eye. Her hair always covered at least half of her face, and she almost never smiled.
She has grown up hearing that she is ugly, stupid, and will never amount to anything.
This past week I had the opportunity to tell her everyday that she is beautiful, created with great care, and has incredible value.
In the grand scheme of things, it seems like a really small thing. But God has specific plans for the little girl's life, and it begins with her gaining an understanding of her value. That she really does matter, and she is not forgotten. She is not "less than." She is a daughter of the King!
By the end of the camp, Kristin was laughing and smiling with all of us. She had her hair out of her face, and she even walked differently. When I would tell her she is beautiful, she finally said "Thank you" instead of "No, I am very ugly."
God has begun such a work in her heart and her mind! Praise Jesus!

Please pray that this would continue! Pray that God would continue to meet Kristin while she's at home, and that as we continue God's work in Korea, He would be faithful to meet with His kids and change their hearts and minds.

Thanks guys! Love y'all! :)