- This December we’re planning a trip to Korea. Short explanation is that Bora hasn’t been home in almost 6 years, and we’re way overdue. Bora and I have spent many prayer sessions asking the Lord for the details of this trip and we both believe we heard “2 months”. Of course we didn’t know where we’d stay for two months, but a week later Bora’s parents called and told us that they just moved into a new apartment that could fit us all. In prayer God spoke and “commanded” that they move “now” and in three days they were moved into a new place! Radical obedience…so grateful for both sets of parents God has given Bora and I!
So our main prayer request is for
finances to cover the costs of travel. We know there will be other expenses, we
know, but airfare is the big urgent expense. Right now tickets range from $600
to $800 but we expect flights to be in the $800-900 per person by the time we can afford
to purchase.
In Korea we will be visiting with
supporters and family. We will visit with leaders within our organization as
well as multiple training facilities in Gwang Ju, Seoul, Jeju, ect. We plan to
visit several other churches and ministries as well, in Gwang Ju and Seoul.
Bora and I will be discussing our future role of continuing to serve Koreans
who are called to radical discipleship and missions. Also, I (Noah) will be
visiting international and bilingual churches and services around the few
cities we’ll be spending most of our time. I know because I’ve experienced
isolation living in East Asia and especially in Korea, that fellowship with
other English speakers will be vital to my spiritual and emotional health.
We are planning a pastoral visit to
our outreach teams during these two months. Our current Korean school is
splitting into two teams: One to Japan then Thailand, and the other to Ch1n@
then Thailand. It will likely be for a couple weeks. Depending on many factors
still being planned and prayed through, we will either visit half of our team
in Japan or Ch1n@ over the holidays at the front end, or our entire team in
Thailand near the end of our travels.
We are in need of one time gifts to
make this trip happen in December, in addition to our normal support. Would you
please share our needs with your friends and family? We’re not insisting to be
a burden on our existing monthly supporters, but do ask that they bring our
financial needs to the Lord as well as share with their churches and networks. You
guys are amazing and we’ve been so blessed to be able to operate here in Salem
these past two years because of your giving. But Bora especially really needs
to be home, and the kids to see family, and for me to eat lots of Korean food.
- TESOL = Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Our second big happening is that Bora and I will be taking the TESOL certification course in 2017. We have a couple options. Our hope is to each study for five weeks together in Washington, both becoming certified. We have been given a fantastic rate for us as a couple in ministry and this would happen in April. Cost would be $1650 for both of us, plus monthly usual expenses similar to what we're paying to live in Oregon. If we're not able to break away from our work here, or if we cannot find appropriate childcare, I will pursue TESOL online, though this is not ideal. We know that teaching English is a invaluable ministry tool to have in many regions including Asia, and being certified instructors, along with our experience in bilingual work and especially Bora's translation skills will open up many doors to serve. There is a great need here in Salem for an ESL program in the Spring/Summer quarter when our Korean discipleship program isn't running, as well as interest from countries like Brazil. Our organization in Korea is also in need of an ESL and bilingual program.
The costs for the trip flights this December and the training course next Spring will cost around an additional $5000. We know this is no great thing for God! If you would like to invest in our family as we continue to work to see the kingdom expand in Korea, we'd be grateful and humbled to receive your help. We need prayer warriors! We need generous donations! We need your friendship and would love to hear from you! (I stink at initiating, but I treasure the friendly emails, Skypes and phone calls)
Lots of Love,
Noah, Bora, Jubilee and Jinha Willson
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