Antipodal Points

Ever wonder what's exactly on the other side of the world? When I was a teenager in Germany, I remember telling a friend something about digging a hole to China. She laughed and said that the saying in Europe is to dig a hole to Australia. While I didn't know it at the time, we were discussing the mathematical concept of antipodal points, any two points that are diametrically opposed to each other on a sphere. Incidentally, the antipodal point of the most the USA is not China but the Indian Ocean, and the antipodal point of most of Europe is not Australia but the Pacific Ocean. To dig a hole straight through the center of the earth to China, you'd have to be in certain parts of Argentina or Chile. I guess "digging to the Indian Ocean" just doesn't have the same ring to it. Dad and I were discussing this at lunch today. How far away can you go before you start coming closer again? When I first looked into the possibility of a longer-term mission trip, I wanted to return to Mexico. Korea looks to me to be about the farthest place from Mexico! (As it turns out, Korea's antipodal point is just off the southern tip of Brazil in the Atlantic Ocean, so it really is about as far from Mexico as anywhere else on the planet!) Even though it isn't exactly the location I originally had in mind, even though I've never in my life thought "Gosh, I'd like to go to Korea!", I'm really excited about this opportunity to be in ministry on another part of the planet.

A Sad Farewell to Galena

Well, Galena, it's been a great five years, and you sent me off well! My former youth group kids stopped by for ice cream Friday night, which was a fitting way to spend my last evening in town since so much of my life in Galena was punctuated by the youth group in one way or another. When the last three of "my kids" drove away, I sat down and sobbed, sad to say good-bye but also overwhelmed by the honor of being a part of their lives and the blessing to have them in mine! On Saturday I waited until Grandma Shirley made it home from the Chicago suburbs before heading out of town. It was a hard good-bye, and I cried for about the first 50 miles of the drive to Mom and Dad's in Wheaton.

Today I visited the Aldersgate UMC in Wheaton with my parents. I was very touched by Pastor Gamlin's impromptu send-off prayer and the group of parishoners who wished me well. The prayers of my friends and family and the larger Christian community sustain me.

Travel Plans

I am scheduled to depart from Chicago on Friday, February 3rd. It's a 14-hour nonstop flight to Seoul. I am very excited but also more than a little nervous. I am thankful for the support and encouragement my friends and family have shown as I've prepared for this journey.