Month in China December/January 09/10

I'm sitting in bed at my Grandparents home after arriving at about 4 Oclock into "the Peoples Republic of China".
I wont be able to post any updates untill I get back to Korea, so this will be a months-worth of Update when you are reading.
I'm excited for this month. I want it to be a time of deepening in my relationship with our God. I want my trust and vision
to deepen. I want my confidence and surity to radically refresh and to be moved to a new level of desperation for the
souls of men as I spend time with the Chinese here.
It's been amazing to see my Grandparents. As I look back over the last 10 years since I lived with them in Wales, Uk, my mind is blown by how surreal it is that we're here, sat in a random part of China, sharing hearts and looking at how life has changed and of His goodness and encouragement in struggle. He has taken us beyond what we could imagine and I know He has bigger plans for the good of all. It's an exciting time to be a part of this......Let's see what this month brings. I'm ready for an awakening and a refreshed river of righteous living that will never run dry, only by Grace.
07th December 2009 (00:37AM)

9th December 2009 (00:23)
I feel like I'm waking up and breathing the fresh winter morning as reality seems that bit realer.
Being here already for this short time, spending time with people and being in a place where to Love Christ is a risk to more than your pride, but to your life, is moving my heart and soul. It sounds so poetic, but its painful. I'm seeing my selfishness and Apethy and my complete sinful self in the light of a Holy God and a people who I know are just like me, but who are seeking God for their every breathe as they face the difficulty of each day, and in that smiling with the Joy of Salvation that Only Jesus Christ can give. I long for a deep repentance in my heart and a river of righteous living to come of it. O God, help me.
I'm ready for a freshness and a revival of vision. "God, I am yours, do what you would in me to bring me to a place of selflesness and a place where you are more Glorified."

11th December 2009 (23:52) Love demands a Love of it's kind.

15th December 2009 (9:33)
Looking out into the Chinese streets , Bycicle Taxis and cold looking Chinese people walking past and snow & Ice in Abundance. The last couple of days the Lord has put in my mind "No Compromise". This time is laying my heart bare and I'm seeing what I have yet to overcome through Him who strengthens me. I am confident in the power of God to deliver, but I have never been so afraid of my potental to fail. Jesus Christ is the answer for this world. This has been made known and we see it everyday. But more than ever before, I believe this and I testify to this and I would lay my life down for this truth. We need Jesus Christ or we have no hope here or for eternity. There is forgiveness with Him, free to those who would admit that they need it and delcare Him Lord. For those who would take up their cross and follow him, even unto the edge of doom and even then defying it til the last breath. New life starts here........I said, New life starts here. No Compromise.

25th of December 2009 (1:29PM)
Merry Christmas.
Sat in the "Korean Room" with my Grandparents.
Had a great few days since my last writing.
Yesterday we traveled to Yanji, the nearest City and had a Christmas meal with other "Kingdom Workers" who have moved to China to serve. It was weird to see so many Western faces. Felt slightly out of place in a strange way but also felt reminded of my own culture.
My Dad has been here for the past week. Its been good to see Him. This is the most time we've spent together in Years. Trusting for a Miracle in his life. I pray that seeing God in the lives of people here, and in our lives, would move his heart to repentance and communion with our Lord.
Spending time with the Korean people here and the "Chosun-Jok" (half Korean/Chinese) has warmed my heart and inspired me to learn this language with Passion and Purpose. I could definatly see myself here in 16 months time. There is so much need. So options are appearing for when I finish at Yonsei. But you never know what will happen.
Yonsei: I had my first semester Final exams and Successfully passed Korean Language Level.1. and will start Level 2 on January 7th. It's going to be a real challenge. So I'm trying to spend a good chunk of time every day in revising the last 3 months and learning as many new vocabularies as possible. It's bringing me so much Joy to speak this language more. I feel excited every time I order Coffee or tell someone about why I'm learning this language or when I've memorised something new. I've also been trying to learn Korean Bible Vocabulary. Sitting in a Korean Church, I've always been scared by how little I understand, as the language in Church is quite different. But as I've been studying these vocabularies more, It's started to slot together. So it's an exciting time, but taking alot of energy.
I'm a little anxious about going back to Seoul. It has been tiresome to be in a totaly secular environment after years in Cornwall with such a great base of Christian fellowship. But despite that it's been the best time ever for sharing the Gospel and what He has done in my life. But I want to go back strong and with Vision and Energy.

2nd January 2010
Happy New Year. I hope you all had a great turning of year. I spent mine in bed with Flu!! But am on the mend.
My month here is coming to an end. Tomorrow evening I head to Seoul for my 2nd semester at Yonsei. I feel refreshed and ready for the next step. This place will be in my Prayers for what to do in 16 months. His will be done.
Anyway....Have a great first month of 2010.
HE IS ABLE.



North Korean Mountains in the background

2009/11/18

So it's been a while since my last update. Time has been going so fast here.
The Korean study is going well. My mind is slowly becoming more Korean!
The grammar is a constant struggle, but again, over time my mind is adjusting
and it's beginning to make sense. Only 2 weeks until our final exams
for this semester. I can't believe how fast time is going.
In two weeks I will head to Yanji (China) to spend the Christmas Holdiday with My
Grandparents, who moved there about a year and a half ago.
It sounds like there will be alot of opportunity to help there. The School
that they are running has run out of teachers, so Ill be doing an hour a day for a class of
about 20! Help!!!!! It'll be priceless experience I'm sure. Also, I'm looking forward to a relaxed
month to seek God and learn Korean!!!! The last couple of months have
been a rough ride, but I'm trusting for Breakthrough. I guess just the Shock of such a big move
mixed with my own heart issues. I would appreciate prayers for my spiritual
life and wisdom for how to use my opportunity here.
Again, despite my feeling, God is using me here. I never realised the extent of brokeness in this
Generation. Some of the people here are already so close to my heart and I realy hope that I can
bring something good to them over these coming months and.....years! Wow, 17 months left!!!!!!
Anyway, a quick update.

Danny

2009/10/18

It astounds me when there I see is a glimpse of the utter majesty of our God. When all affliction is held back, for sometimes just seconds, of pure Inspiration, Joy, Awe and Love to pour into the heart and spirit. His goodness is always and His purpose keeps me running.

10.10.2009

It's been twenty three days since I arrived.
Studies: This course is moving so quickly! I'm keeping up and learning fast and enjoying using it in every day life, so much.
I have made some great friends here and God is working in their lives amazingly.
9:00 - 1:00 is class time and after that most of my time is spent with a group of about 6 Japanese people, which is such a surprise to me. I've never encountered that culture before but I'm building good friendships there. Particularly with a guy called "Wataru" who is a 35 year old steel salesman for a huge Japanese company in Korea! He is coming to Church with me this Sunday so please pray for that.
Also, I found out that two of my class mates are Christian. One lady from Germany and another from Nepal. The Nepalese lady doesnt speak much English, but I Understood enough to know that she and her husband moved from Nepal to be missionaries in South Korea! And when I mentioned my time in Ywam she seemed very excited. So they could possibly have been involved there aswell in the past. That's encouraging to my soul.
Opportunity to share the Gospel and my testimony is coming dailey, and as that happens I'm constantly being blown away by the utter brokeness of the people around me. It's heartbreaking. I just want to Love them and take them to the God that can give them new life. I believe that part of my being here is for them. I believe that God is at work in their lives.
Inside I am really struggling. Trying to find the balance between the Korean/Student culture and Holiness is hard and wearing me thin. And adjusting to a life where I'm not surrounded by Christians as I was in Cornwall. It's facing me against new giants that I must destroy and in doing so grow in Strength and Wisdom. I really need the Lord's closeness, it would be so easy fall and I don't want that.
Also, situations that need to be left with the Lord, I am just constantly falling with. Heartaches that need to be given to Him and not carried.
It's hard for me to write that I'm not doing amazingly. But I want to be real with You. I'm sorry if this sounds like I'm about to die!!! It's not all bad, God remains faithful always and strengthens me daily, but I want to do well for Him and not fall every 5 minutes. I want to be able to show the Joy of His Salvation and not always the tears.
Please pray with me.
It's late.

I miss you all

O' my Seoul.

Another hot day in Korea. I Love it.
I'm going into my third week here and the pase is picking up. I can't belive how fast moving this is. But I'm really enjoying it. Yesterday we were given a 단어 (vocabulary) sheet with about 40 new words to learn along side our homework. It really helps having a Korean roomate to ask all my queries. I've made some good friends that I believe the Lord has led me to. Hopefully this weekend ill be taking three of them to Church with me. Please pray for that. The church is one that I went to last year during my time in Korea. It's a ministry for Korean American and all english speaking foreigners. So that's great and there's a possibility of joining the worship team. I have to audition though! Wah.
My soul is well and I'm finding strength each day. I feel there is constant affliction inside which I am trying to learn to give completely to the Lord. Worries and all of those kind of things. I want this year to be a year of growth for my soul like never before. I don't want to waste it trying to gasp for every breath, and it feels like I'm doing that alot right now. Please pray. I need wisdom.
I've had some great times with friends from Y.W.A.M Kona. They've been a huge support.
So...a few things about here and the last couple of weeks.
-I went into a bank and walked out 30 minutes later with an account, debit card and statement book. Service with a smile :)
-Good Guy friends are known as (closest translation) "Testicle friends".
-I took a Tae-Kwon-Do class the other day.
-In my University building you can get a coffee for about 20pence.
-Frosties in the morning remind me that Im English.

Keep in touch and I'll keep this updated.

Love,

Danny

Touch-down.

I'm sitting at Mr 정 광 수's (my new room-mate) Computer in the international dorm of Yonsei's Korean Languge institute. The last few days have been great:

I said goodbye to Loved ones last wednesday and Thursday, then headed to Heathrow.
As always, my flights seemed full of the Lord's guidence. I spoke to a Korean man who is a CEO. I told him what I was doing and he said that I could let him know if I need any support. I don't know what he meant by 'support', but it was simply nice to make a friend. Then on the flight I was sat next to a German Guy called 'Tihlo'. We talked for the first 2 hours about everything. Life, God, Hitler!!! He was raised a Catholic and has been really discouraged by it. Hopefully seeds were sown. Pray for him. Then In Hong Kong I was able to practice some Korean with another man on the flight.
So I arrived in Incheon, found my way to Seoul and met Chris and Ian, my Y.W.A.M house mates. They really looked after me and took me shopping for the things I needed.
I unpacked at the University on Friday. This is meant to be an international dorm, but I just so happened to get a Korean room mate who doesnt speak much English. This will really work in my favor as I try to learn the language. I believe that it is God's providence. I haven't met too many of the studets yet. One from Brazil (Ricado), one from Germany (Nando), someone from an African country that I'd never heard of!!! And a couple others.
Korea definatly feels different this time. Last time I felt overshadowed by the size of the place, the culture, language, smells and everything. Now it feels somewhat familiar. My Korean is growing already and the school hasn't started.
The future, as always, weighs on my mind. But I'm learning to leave that in Jesus' hands. I miss people.......But I''m so happy to have this opportunity. God is so Good.
The University is one of the most beautiful places I've seen. The trees and buildings and just everything. I'm looking forward to Autumn!
So tomorrow is my placement test. They will check my Korean speaking, reading, writing, Grammar and then put me in a suitable class.
I'll keep this updated.

Love

P.S. Today I went to the Naked spa! felt sligtly weird. Enjoyed the massage!

Update: Heading toward a New 'Career'...... Korea and Kona.

God is Great.
I know that Liam Byrnes Loves a good Pun, So I'm trying to put one in every title!
Just a couple of exciting updates.
Katherine has decided that Dance school isn't right for her this year and will instead be taking the Community Transformations D.T.S in Kona this September. It seems right for her to focus on getting more grounding and be in an environment where deepening our relationship with the living God is the focus of everyday life.
It's nice to be able to picture where she will be during our time apart, as the Kona base holds so many memories of life changing times.
She's my hero!
On my front, everything seems to be moving forward. Visa forms are sent off, I'll be hearing back from campus accommodation at the end of the month and I was recently awarded a grant from a Cornish organisation that puts me right ahead of where I thought i'd be financialy. Praise Jesus. He always provides, where He calls.

Please keep Katherine and Me in Prayer.