Friends in Korea

While we were in Korea to treat an infection in Kevin's arm (see earlier post) from February 28 until March 8, I stayed at the Hilton Hotel (our evacuation insurance paid for me to be at this particular hotel). Kevin's place of residence was the Severence Hospital most of the time, with two days at the end of our time at the hotel for a little more recovery before travelling for a full day to get back to UB. We had a joke going, that I had the better accommodations, and he'd say, "Hey, who's the sick one here?" I know...it just wasn't fair. I had three concierges that were exceptionally kind and sweet. Here's their pictures. I'm still in contact with the two women via facebook and email.

There was one day that I needed to get some antacids, but I didn't know where to get them, nor what they'd look like.  One of the concierges wrote out what I needed in Korean, and then proceeded to draw a map of where to go to find a store that might carry the item.  I was glad for her instructions.  I would've never found this store on my own, as it was so much further from the hotel than I would have ventured if I didn't have hope that it would be "there".  Isn't that true for much of life?  If we know that there's hope of getting something or somewhere by the way we're going, we can keep on going forward.  I passed furniture shops, book stores, all kinds of food stores, a hardware store, and all of a sudden I came upon a nice little pharmacy.  Very small.  But, they had what I needed.  And, the package was all in Korean.  Fortunately, the owner spoke some English, too, which was rare I was finding out, and he actually gave me instructions to swallow two pills whole (don't chew!) with a glass of water.  Nice!

Another time one of the concierges called the hospital to find out if there was a place to do laundry close by.  She informed me where I could get a load done, "Because it's soooo expensive here at the hotel."  I think she had started to "get to know me", that I wasn't one of the rich ladies who were staying on the floor, willing to spend $10 for a load of laundry to be done for me!

And, another time, she wrote out in Korean (for a taxi driver) where to take me to visit the biggest Christian church in the world (which I visited on the only Sunday we were there in town)...the Yoido Full Gospel Church.  Here's a picture of me in this large church which was reminiscent of the building in New York City for the Brooklyn Tabernacle:


Front of building




This is the artwork at the top of the front part of the building.



An usher offered to take my photo in between services.  I think there were five services on Sunday, and several of them have live translation through headphones.  The amazing thing is that the service is translated into 7 different languages; you choose the language you need to listen to by dialing the headphones to the number designated for your language.  Amazing!  Here, you can see the choir in the red robes and the full orchestra in front of them.  The men in white jackets are the ushers.


So, back to my newfound friends, there were times that there were very few people around on the floor where I was staying, also where the concierges had a desk by a business lounge, so I visited with them several times.  We had some great conversations which I am seeking to continue via email.  Remember these friends when you talk to our Father.