The friends here have taught me what self sacrifice is, what hospitality is, what genuine love is. How can I leave that?
When we went to bethel, I felt like I had stepped off the buss and into Paradise. The sun was bright, there was a big green open field with contrasting clear blue skies. Crowds of brothers and sisters waved, held signs and cheered as we stepped off. In the distant background I heard music, and when I looked down at the field, there were 3 men on a stage that was draped in flowers, they were wearing leis and playing kingdom melodies on their ukuleles. Children were running and playing in the grass giving out gifts to the new commers. People were laughing, embracing and it brought a year to my eye. Is this real life? Later that day they had a musical performance for us. We were in the woods, we all sat on the floor, friends were fanning each other, though it wasn't hot. And in that moment, I knew nothing could ever be more perfect. I will never forget how I felt in that exact moment. How the sun felt on my hair, the refreshing air from a dear friends fan hitting my cheeks, smiling from ear to ear and being more content than I've ever felt in my life. All I could do was cry. And I did. And we all did. Because this was a taste. I seriously forgot in that moment that we weren't there yet. How my heart yearns for the day, when that is just like any other day. A knot swells in my throat as I choke back the tears even writing this now. As we sang song 134 together it was hard to keep my composer.
So our tours came to an end. The lobby that was once bustling with people, and signs of love and paradise were no longer waving about. The desks full of helpful brothers waiting to assist in any way possible had been folded and put away. There were no more badges, no more pictures, no more "so where are you guys from?" Elevators came rapidly, and you didn't need to worry about the buzzing of being over capacity. No, the convention was over. But we were not gone yet.
Our last day was a thing of beauty. It was slow, I scheduled. Still busy, but in a different way. We woke up early and our friends picked us up to visit the prison. This brother, Jo SungChol, has been in this very prison a few years ago. It was very difficult to go back, but he did. These brothers have such a positive outlook on things. The place was old, and cold. Despite all the heat, it was chilly and overcast that day. We finally met the young brother in prison and- he was all smiles. He said he was actually having fun. Though it is hard, at times. A great weight was lifted off my chest. As the four of us huddled around the microphone in a small room, with glass and bars in between, we drew together in love and friendship.
After visiting the prison we went and ate ramen with our friends. Then we spent a relaxing day hanging out by the Han River. We walked along the water, laid in the grass, ate ice cream, gave life advice to each other, encouraged one another. I have made the best friends possible here.
Later we went back to out hotel to meet another dear friend, Gihan. His family invited us over for dinner and the boys that took us to the prison were going to come as well. But, when Gihan got there, David and Jo said goodbye. I was not ready for that. Jo was our guide for all three days of the convention so we were on the same bus and had the same schedule through out the entire trip. David was our translator and felt like my baby brother, he's 18 and I grew so close to both of them! Jo, then pulled out 2 photos and handed one to each of us. It was a picture of him in prison. My eyes immediately welled up in tears. He said, through David's translation, I want you to keep this. And when you look at this, notice one thing, I am smiling. I am happy, I'm ok. I did it, because I had hope. We serve Jehovah and I don't want you to cry because now we have one more reason to make sure that we endure through this system and make it to paradise. I could not agree more. But, it still hurt my heart to say goodbye for the last time.
We traveled te long ride to Gihan's house where his family had been preparing. They put so much work into this meal and the children even prepared performances for us! It was hilarious!! Gihan and Yihan, his brother, performed songs on their acoustic guitar as well! Then... They wanted us to go up. So I joking went up and sang a children's Korean song and they died laughing. But then Krystal and I sang "We thank you Jehovah" and after the first verse, his parents came up and sang with us in Korean, then the children, then all of us were singing together. It was so beautiful. But Krystal and I had one more thing up our sleeve, so we surprised them by playing and dancing to GANGNAM STYLE! They loved it and all joined in as well! Then.... We had to go.
Our bags had yet to be packed and the early morning bus that would take us to the airport would come quickly.
So here I am, on my way to the airport. About to go to another country with friends waiting, meetings to attend, and sights to see. However I know one thing is certain. Nothing will ever come close to Seoul, South Korea. International Convention 2014. The best days of my life by far. I will treasure these memories... until paradise.
Xoxo
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