Busses, trains, and funny new friends

I didn't remind Hyunsuk about the Bible study when I left for work on Friday afternoon. I decided to just let it be. Inwardly, I felt a little guilty about going without her approval. I wasn't even sure if bus 840 came through Jilyang after 10 p.m, so I made a deal with God that I would wait for ten minutes at the bus stop for bus 840, and if it didn't show, then I wouldn't go, assuming it wasn't meant to be. Toying with the idea of starting my own Bible study, I asked my Father to show me who I should invite if he should want me to start one.

On Friday night, I dismissed class at exactly 9:50, packed my things, and made my way toward the bus stop to check my wool for dew. High school students, still dressed in uniform, were walking home finally. Many fruit stands and kabob kiosks remained open on the street. If Jilyang had a nightlife, then one could say it was in full swing. The evening air held a hint of weekend energy. About ten feet ahead of me, I spotted a couple of teenage girls giggling and squirming at a bug on the sidewalk as they shone a small flashlight and used their feet to scoot the creature across the cement. I didn't see the bug myself, but their game made me laugh out loud.

"O! Hello!" said one of the girls, surprised to see a foreigner.

"Hello," I said, being friendly. People sample their simple English on me quite often, so I wasn't totally surprised.

"Where are you from?" she asked. I stopped to chat, not totally committed to the Bible study anyway, and told her I was from America.

The girl was dressed in a t-shirt, knee-length shorts, and a ponytail--attire that matched her I-don't-need-to-conform-to-the-Korean-norm demeanor. She introduced herself to me as Hwang, which I believe is her surname. She told me that she would teach me about Korean culture and history if I was interested. Was I interested? Heck yes! Her lack of awkwardness about approaching foreigners with a ready invitation reminded me of my friend, Diana. She made me feel at home for a moment.

Hwang walked with me to the bus stop. We exchanged phone numbers, and she said she would call me on September 9th when she had more money on her phone.

"Where was I going?" She wanted to know. I explained that I was a Christian, and I was going to go to a Bible study tonight. I asked her if she was a Christian, which is not such an awkward question in Korea. She said she's not, but she attends church with her grandmother sometimes because she is interested.

"Do you want to study the Bible with me?" I asked. She said she would like that.

Bus 840 came within the first couple of minutes, but I waited for the next one, so we could finish our conversation. What a cool interaction! I can't wait to meet with Hwang, my new fifteen-year-old friend.

There's something really neat about surrendering your journey into the helping hands of total strangers. It's humbling to ask for help in the first place, but being helped in the ways I've been helped by Korean strangers forced me to release my sense of pride that comes from having complete control over my evening fate. After boarding the bus, I soon learned it wouldn't take me all the way to Kyungbook National University Hospital in downtown Daegu, where I was supposed to meet Hyun-Jin. Instead, I went to Sarwol Station and took the subway to the hospital.

The Bible study was worth my trek out there, not necessarily because of the study, but because of the company. I stayed the night with Eli, Thirene and Elyse in their impressive apartment with a great view. On Saturday, I made it home with plenty of time to shower and get ready to teach.

After class, I took a taxi to Hayang, where Jean and I walked around town chatting about the hogwan drama and her plans to move the U.S. For dinner, we ate delicious pizza at an Italian restaurant called "Tomato."

For dessert, I ate a small waffle with green tea gelato at Gelaccino.

Mmmmm! Jean's daughter, Becky, came with us and warmed up to me pretty well by the end. As we walked to the bus stop, Becky reached out to hold my hand. What a precious little girl!