2014 Graduate School of World Missions and Ministry Commencement (aka Russel Graduates from Kosin University After Three Years of Study!)

THE GRADUATE

Russel smiling at Tsegi, one of the best friends he made while studying at Kosin,
 after she read a Thank You letter in front of their sponsors

Dear Russel, 

Now that you've graduated, may you continue on pursuing a life of study and ministry and service that will be a sweet aroma to your Father in heaven. He has had great things in store for you since day one, when you chose to attend school a year or two younger than your classmates in first grade, and then continued to walk yourself to school everyday after that despite the lacks and losses in your life. Today's great achievement is a mere stepping stone to more successes to come. We know this because He's taken you this far and will not leave you now! 

Approach your next adventures with confidence in your steps and certainty in your walk, knowing that the great pains and trials you've borne in your past were meant to condition you to bear greater responsibility and influence (Romans 5:3-4). Both of these you will draw on and struggle with as you come to realize your dream of influencing our current world into building God-glorifying cultures one changed man at a time. Men with passion and vision (to see this world redeemed and reconciled to its Creator) like you strengthen witnesses and passersby like me who have the privilege of seeing your life of leadership through service in action.

I have every confidence that whatever you pursue, you will do so fueled with a hope that does not disappoint - making, in the words of your commencement speaker, the right decisions out of your right standing with God.  

God Bless,

Your Friend

(Philippians 1:3)

THE 2014 GRADUATING CLASS

The graduates from both the English and the Chinese programs

Waiting to receive their diplomas and donning on translation devices during the mostly-Korean nearly 3-hour ceremony

GRADUATING AT THE TOP OF HIS CLASS

Russel graduated at the top of his class and was called first up the stage!

I scrambled 20 minutes late to the Son Yang Memorial Hall,
just in time to see Russel get called first and receive his diploma

Dr. Mark Kreitzer, Russel's thesis adviser, sitting up front.
The only part of the ceremony I understood was when he got up to speak

Allan, Russel's roommate, graduated Top 2 in the class. So much Filipino pride!

Attentive as Tsegi delivered a speech all in Korean.
I believe I heard Dr. Kreitzer say that she can speak 5 languages

EXPRESSING THEIR THANKS

Tsegi had to pause a couple of times during her speech, overcome with emotion

Russel enjoying Tsegi's plight on stage. So typical. Hahaha

Tsegi takes her seat

Blurry but I like the emotions I managed to capture last-minutely

SPECIAL SONG BY THE GRADUATES

The graduating class singing a special song for the audience

This was towards the end, so everyone carried a more comfortable and relaxed demeanor

Shuffling on stage for group photos at the end of the ceremony. And what a long ceremony it was...

RUSSEL'S BELOVED SPONSOR IN SOUTH KOREA

HOLY JOY CENTER AT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY

KODAK NIKON MOMENT

All of the good moments are blurry, but this one is a keeper. 

RUSSEL WITH PROFESSORS AND THEIR FAMILIES

With the Kreitzers, who both teach at Kosin University

Grateful to be a part of this day of celebration!

With one of their great mentors in Korea

Professor Gabriel who teaches at Kosin and ministers at Holy Joy

Professor Gabriel's family minus Kayla

Adorable family!

Russel with Swapan's family

The baby is very cute!

Amit, one of Russel's best friends in Korea who also serves at Holy Joy

Great friends. Two graduates minister at Holy Joy in various
capacities

Proud friends

Surrounded by some of his best and *ahem* most awesome friends

Congratulations, Russel! Bask in this moment. The next commencement won't be for a while :)

The Perks of Visiting Kosin University & Looking Like One of Its Students

IN THE FACE OF GOD

I had no school today so, with the schedule cleared, I decided to pay Kosin University a visit. Jana met me by the huge rock on campus bearing the school's motto: Coram Deo (or, literally, in the face of God). We proceeded to have lunch right outside the school's perimeters - with Russel joining us for a few minutes before running off to take a comprehensive exam. Before he left, he gave Jana a chocolate bar. 

Folks, this is the beginning of another redemption story.

A small but beautiful Christian university on top of the whole island!

I waited for Russel to finish taking his hours-long exam.

UNEXPECTED ACT OF KINDNESS #1: PROFESSOR EDITION
It was cold inside the building. I wrapped my scarf tightly around me as I tried to stay awake in the midst of utter silence by reading the Bible (what? You don't keep a Bible in your purse for light reading?). At one point, a professor who had noticed me huddled in a corner table outside of his classroom randomly materialized in front of me to invite me to sit inside his class, where, he said, it was warmer. A lot warmer. Would I like to come in? Was I sure? Oh, okay. If I got too cold, I was welcome to come right in. He smiled before retreating back inside his class and closing the door.

What a kind man! It was so chilly out in the hallway that I began to kick myself for turning down his invitation. Well, he did say I could come in anytime...

UNEXPECTED ACT OF KINDNESS #2: STRANGER EDITION
During this time of great deliberation, a young man passed by me on his way to the elevator and, as if on second thought, walked the few more steps necessary to reach my table and deposited three pieces of wrapped candy by my open Bible and said, "Fighting!" before leaving.

What...was that?

I was so baffled by his actions that I didn't even think to say a thank you or smile before he left. I hunkered down again and continued my reading and only then realized what had happened. The young man had thought I was a Kosin student studying hard for an exam and had done his best to encourage me with sweet words and candy. I laughed out loud but quickly quieted down, remembering the exams and classes in progress.

This important-looking sign was made for,
apparently, only two students in the M.Div program

STRADDLING THE LINE BETWEEN SUNLIGHT AND SHADE
I made it a couple more chapters before getting up to unfreeze the icicle that my body had turned into. I went outside, where it was hotter but with winds so strong, I thought I was going to blow away with the leaves.

I was pacing back and forth between the cool shade cast by the building's shadow and the scorching sunlit area, where people were milling about, when I saw the same young man approaching me again.

He asked me some questions that confirmed my suspicion from earlier, and I found out that Yohan (that's his name) was on his last year as an undergrad, studying Food & Nutritional Science (this is a thing), but intending to go into broadcast journalism.

I'M ACTUALLY A TEACHER; AN ENGLISH TEACHER

Yohan: So, are you a student here? 

Me: No, actually I'm a teacher!

Yohan: Oh! You are! Do you teach here? 

Me: No, I teach at a high school very close to here

Yohan: What subject do you teach?

Me: English. I'm an English teacher

He noticed that I was steeling myself against the strong winds and invited me to go back to the building. I refused, explaining that I just came from there and was actually in the process of thawing at that moment. He wasn't convinced that the process was working and, at the rate that I was shivering, I was also becoming less convinced so I followed him back to the same floor, where he works!

RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS #2B: YOHAN 
He deposited me back on the same cold chair in the same empty and chilly hallway and I sat down feeling strangely defeated.

A moment later, Yohan came back with a paper cup of really hot tea, and left me with many wishes to keep warm before ducking back inside his office.

What a sweet guy!

Princess, Jinky, and Ate Vanessa about to head to their class!

I basically saw every Filipino student at Kosin during the time that I waited for Russel. It was a treat, befitting of a day off from work!