A Little Reminder of Home

I just came in from the Seoul American High School Falcons Football Game.  They won their first game of the season 12-8.  Sitting there watching these young men slug it out on the field of battle, made me homesick for the Boys of Fall there in EF.  It's Friday morning in TX as I write this, and I know that tonight the EF Yellow Jackets will kick off their season.  They have been preparing hard for this night. I wish I could be there - especially for the Seniors who I love so much.  Boys, I want you to know that you have been prayed for from Korea and I know that you will do strong work as you wage war on the football field.

It's been a good week, filled with time in the field and in-processing details.  I am still living in the Dragon Hill Lodge, but I look forward to moving into my own condo.  That should happen in the next few weeks.  I look forward to a place with a stove/oven where I can cook things that don't have to be microwaved.

I have been blessed with opportunities to interject hope and life into some Soldiers lives already.  I love being able to serve on a Joint Command with Special Op's folks from each of the branches.  

As always I covet your prayers and thank you for your words of support and encouragement.  I'm not sure why people's postings are not showing up on my blog, but I have contacted Google about it.  Feel free to e-mail me at srevjds@gmail.com.  I love hearing from family and friends.

A Fellow Pilgrim,

Joe 

A Refreshing Look

This morning I had my 1st opportunity to attend worship here at Yongsan.  I was blessed to be able to attend the Contemporary Worship Service at the South Post Chapel called the "ROCK Service - Relying On Christ in Korea."  My heart was overwhelmed with the beauty of a multi-racial, multi-ethnic worship service that was centered on worshipping Jesus as Savior and Lord.  The Chaplain who led the service this morning was an Army Chaplain who was Korean.  He preached on Acts 4:1-10 about the beggar at the Beautiful Gate.  He accentuated a point that I have made many times - God meets us at the level of our expectancy.  Many times we complain and fuss about our situation, and we ask where is God in this or that.  My response is this - did you come with a sense of anticipation & expectation to see God move?  Do you still believe in a God who heals the sick, opens the eyes of the blind, walks on water, and raises the dead?  I SURE DO!!!  There is nothing in this life that our God is not able to give us victory over.

Also got to talk to my family via Skype for a few minutes.  I so enjoyed talking to all of them, along with a brief visit with the Roots.  Technology is such a great blessing in seasons such as these.

Well heading to the field for the next week.  I will write again when I return.

A Fellow Pilgrim,

Joe

Welcome to Korea

Jeremiah 18:4 declares, "And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make."

This verse has always spoken to me, because I am that marred piece of clay...the one who has tried to wrestle myself from the hands of my Maker, my Master.  I thank God daily that He is patient and longsuffering to extend His grace and mercy towards me by placing me back on His potter's wheel.  Though I am broken and cracked at times, my God works His hands over me to re-shape me, smoothing out my rough edges, and repairing my cracks.  Many times the Lord must look down from Heaven upon me & say there goes my lil' crackpot.  I thank the Lord that He has a sense of humor!

I have been in Korea going on a week, and everyday has been a group of new experiences.  My only wish is that my family could be here with me.  Seoul is a very technology driven, plugged in city with over 12 million residents.  The people are extremely friendly, but very driven.  The city has all the beauty of NY City, but with the charm & friendliness of a small town.  It is a great mixture of ancient and modern.

I will attempt to use this forum to share my experiences here as I serve as the Command Chaplain for a great group of Soldiers with SOCKOR (Special Operations Command Korea).  I covet your prayers for me, my family, and my church family @ New Hebron Baptist.  Please feel free to communicate with me via this medium, on Facebook, or at my e-mail: srevjds@gmail.com.  I will do my best to return all messages.  There will be times where I am out of pocket, but I will get back with you as best I can.

Beginning this SUN, I will be going into the field for exercises that will run 1 week, so I will be out of pocket during this time.

I miss and love my family!  I thank God for His strength and love!  Pro Deo Et Patria!

A Fellow Pilgrim,

Joe