It's late at night as I make my way back to my group home at the top of the hill in Dondaeogori. The night life in Seoul has a distinct feel.
A jungle of concrete high rises saturated by an ever-present glow of neon.
The rumbling of cars with the occasional honk every now and then.
The bursts of laughter from the ajusshi (Uncles) sitting around the table over a couple bottles of soju (Korean rice liquor).
And of course; the unpleasant smell of secondhand tobacco.
It's sad, really. South Korean culture focuses a lot on materialism and the things of this world where you can easily find quick relief; things like drinking, smoking, and make up. Our students who have found refuge in this place are quickly being affected by the culture as well. Many of our students walk out behind the local convenience store for a quick smoke whenever they have their breaks in between classes. At night, some may go to the local bar or restaurant and drink because then it's easy to relax the mind and forget things that bother them. In the morning, some of the girls wake up extra early to spend hours getting their make up ready just so they can look how they feel they should look for another 24 hours.
"I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a striving for the wind." -Ecclesiastes 1:14
Pray that our students break from the bondage of sin and that they may find true joy in Jesus, the founder and the finisher of our faith.
A jungle of concrete high rises saturated by an ever-present glow of neon.
The rumbling of cars with the occasional honk every now and then.
The bursts of laughter from the ajusshi (Uncles) sitting around the table over a couple bottles of soju (Korean rice liquor).
And of course; the unpleasant smell of secondhand tobacco.
It's sad, really. South Korean culture focuses a lot on materialism and the things of this world where you can easily find quick relief; things like drinking, smoking, and make up. Our students who have found refuge in this place are quickly being affected by the culture as well. Many of our students walk out behind the local convenience store for a quick smoke whenever they have their breaks in between classes. At night, some may go to the local bar or restaurant and drink because then it's easy to relax the mind and forget things that bother them. In the morning, some of the girls wake up extra early to spend hours getting their make up ready just so they can look how they feel they should look for another 24 hours.
"I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a striving for the wind." -Ecclesiastes 1:14
Pray that our students break from the bondage of sin and that they may find true joy in Jesus, the founder and the finisher of our faith.