The Roberts in Korea

Rocktober Fest Daejeon

We heard that there was going to be a big rock and roll festival held in Daejeon so of course we found out the date and the location and took in the event.  Dina and Laurie were away at an elementary soccer tournament so David Miller and I (Ryan) took the kids to Rocktober Fest Daejeon.

It was held along the river in Daejeon on a beautiful fall night.  As the music played people were buying Chinese paper lanterns and launching them into the sky.  There were many food booths offering different types of foods from all over the world.  We ate, rocked out, took in the sights and had a blast at the event.

 

Becca in Japan

Becca spent some time in Kobe, Japan last week.  She was playing volleyball in an Asia Pacific Athletic Conference (APAC) tournament.  She had a good time seeing some sights in Japan, eating a bit of Japanese food and sharing the experience with good friends.  The TCIS team took fourth place in the six team tournament.  Becca had a good tournament and was named to the all tournament team.

The Impact of the Crowd

Last Friday I (Ryan) had a meeting at GSIS in Suwon and after the meeting I took a short train ride to Seoul to watch my daughters, Becca and Sarah, and our girls’ volleyball teams play Seoul Foreign School (SFS).  The girls’ varsity game was intense as the teams were evenly matched.  TCIS was visiting the home court of the SFS Crusaders and the SFS team had a big crowd of people in the stands cheering them on.  The TCIS Dragons on the other hand, had three people in the stands cheering them on.

The Lady Dragons of TCIS lost the first two games of the match and then came back and won the next two games.  The match came down to the fifth and final game.  The game was close and in the midst of the screaming and cheering Seoul Foreign School fans the Crusaders beat the Lady Dragons, 15 to 13.  It was a tough loss for TCIS and a great win for SFS.

Five days later the Crusaders of Seoul Foreign School arrived on the campus of Taejon Christian International School for another regular season match.  This time the contest was to take place on the Dragons’ home court.  The stands were full of TCIS students and parents and the walls of the gym were lined with TCIS fans. 

The match started and it was as if I was watching a replay of the match that had ensued just five days earlier between the two teams.  On the Dragons’ home court, SFS won the first two games of the match and then the TCIS girls came back and won the next two games.  The match came down to the fifth and final game.  In the midst of the cheering and encouragement of the TCIS fans the Lady Dragons soundly beat the Crusaders of SFS, 15 to 8.  It was redemption day for TCIS and a stunning loss for SFS. 

As I stated before, the teams were evenly matched.  From my observation I believe that a significant factor in the wins (for both TCIS and SFS) was the existence and role of the audience.  It was evident in both matches that the supporting presence, the cheers of encouragement and the inspiring energy of the crowd greatly affected the players on the court and had a significant impact on the outcomes of the two contests.

The Biblical writer in Hebrews 11 and 12 speaks of a crowd that is sitting in the grandstands of our lives, cheering us on so that we might run with endurance the race of life.  The crowd is made up of some amazing voices of faith.  They were all “bloodied in battle” and knew well the joys of the journey, . . . and the sorrows too.  They were heroes and “the world was not worthy of them.”

Now these amazing folks sit in the grandstands of our lives.  Wherever we are, there they are.  As followers of Christ we are not on our home court.  We are aliens and strangers (the visiting team) in this world and we desperately need the presence of the witnesses (the heroes) in our lives.  In the assurance of their support and with their cheers of encouragement ringing in our ears we need to fix our eyes on Jesus and press on in the race of life.

However, in God’s economy it doesn’t stop there.  In Hebrews 11:40 it says that God’s plan is, “ . . . that their [the heroes’] faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours.” (MSG)  At some point along the journey we find ourselves with the responsibility and opportunity of sitting in the grandstands cheering someone else along in life.  We all are one body of believers running the race, living for God and cheering one another on in life and faith.

So, I have to ask… 

In the midst of the race, the game, the battle, the journey, are you listening for the voices of the great crowd of witnesses? Are you hearing their shouts of support and encouragement? Are you being inspired to press on in your life for God by their whistles, clapping and cheers ?

And...

Are you fulfilling your role as a witness as you take up a seat in the grandstand of someone else’s life?  Are you assuring others of your support and presence and are you encouraging them in their successes?  Are you helping them to focus on Jesus rather than upon their mistakes?  Are you cheering them on?

Who is in your audience and what kind of an audience member are you?

When it comes to living life in such a way as to get the prize, never underestimate the power and the impact of the crowd.

Chicken Run-TMI

I (Ryan) got hungry for some chicken and went on a chicken run.  I visited the nearby Keun Tong Fried Chicken shop.  Good stuff.  As I was waiting for my "to go" order I noted this very informative and helpful sign about the chicken that I was about to consume.  I felt so much better after reading this sign...a real peace of mind.  Start with the eggs and follow it around to the right, clockwise.  TMI (Too Much Information)  Aren't those fuzzy yellow peeps cute!  I love Korea.

 

Sunday Morning Photos

Last Sunday morning I (Ryan) got up early, grabbed my pocket Bible and my camera and taxied to the outskirts of the city to take a walk.  (We go to church on Sunday afternoons and Dina and the girls were still in bed.)  This city of Daejeon and country of South Korea never ceases to amaze me.  Actually, God never ceases to amaze me.  I took a right turn instead of a left turn on my hike and ended up seeing some territory and sights that I haven't seen in my time here in SK.  Here are a few pics:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Mexican Restaurant

Last Saturday Becca and Sarah had a volleyball game up near Seoul so Dina and I (Ryan) went along on the bus as spectators.  After the game Becca and some of her friends needed to be escorted to Seoul for another event so Dina, Sarah, Anna (Sarah's friend) and I escorted Becca and the group to Seoul.  

We left Becca and the bunch in capable hands and Dina, Sarah, Anna and I set our sights on Mexican food at the "On the Border" Restaurant in Seoul.  As we were ordering we came to the realization that Anna, who is from New Zealand, had never been to a Mexican restaurant before.  It was a bit hard for us to believe, but in New Zealand there are lots of Indian Restaurants and Asian Restaurants, but not many, if any, Mexican Restaurants.

Anna ordered Chicken Fajitas and loved her meal.  It was fun for us to share in her first experience at a Mexican Restaurant.

JC3 and SEW

This past week the TCIS high school held its three day event called Spiritual Emphasis Week (SEW).  It is a time where the entire high school suspends all classes and the school engages in three days of churchcamp-like activities.  It is a lot of fun. 

For the event, the school brings in a special speaker and a worship band.  This year's band was JC3 from the USA.  The band is made up of Jon on drums, Eddie on bass guitar and Josh on lead guitar and vocals.  They are a great bunch of guys who all have graduated from NNU in the past three years.

The Millers and the Roberts got the privilege of taking the band (and Eddie's wife, Robin) out for dinner one night.  The kids couldn't go because of sports practice and homework, but the adults, and NNU alums (young and old) had a good time hanging out together.

Taking Time

I used to have two little girls following me around everywhere.  Now I have two big girls that I am following around everywhere.  (Whether they want me to or not!)

The other day, after a fun time that we had playing volleyball together, Sarah and I were hungry for pancakes so we went to Pandorothys for pancakes.  I will take any time that my girls will give me to spend with them.  We had a good time.