A Few Sundays in the Life of a Filipino Pastor Serving in South Korea

In honor of October being Pastor Appreciation Month, I'm posting a video to celebrate Russel, one of the many amazing pastors who have now graced my life! But, before that, here are a few things we have learned from Russel as a pastor, as a family member, as a brother, and as a friend.

A FEW THINGS WE HAVE LEARNED FROM RUSSEL

He has been always encouraging me in every way. I was very shy to share the Gospel in front of many people but, because of him, I dared to stand in front of many people. Even though he is older than me and more mature than I am but we always talk like friends. When he shares the Word of God, I enjoy his preaching very much. People call him pastor, preacher but I always call him brother. He has never excused about that. Spiritually, mentally always he is mentoring me as a leader, as a pastor, as a brother, moreover as a best friend. This is very short word to describe about him. You are an amazing person ever I met. Love you brother, Russel. - Amit

Pastor Ruzz is a one of a kind person. He is seldom to find. Pastor Ruzz, I wanna say thank you for being such a great spiritual adviser. You have taught me how to be brave in facing life's hardship. You have taught me that God is so big that we have to be hopeful when situations seem to be hopeless. Thank you for always keeping me and my family in your prayers. I also pray for your journey. - Amy

Jesus said, "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you." And because of this He wants us to follow God's commands and to remain in His love...By surrendering everything to God and giving all of our faith to Him we, as children of God, will surely acquire a true and complete Joy in Christ. This made me realize how blessed my family and I are being loved and taken care of by God unconditionally! - Badeth 

Whatever you do work for it with all your heart as working for the Lord, and Jesus is Lord we are His slaves. These are the passages that struck me most through Pastor Russel sermon - Blessy 

I was totally blown away by the words and sermons every Sunday. By faith I received them in Jesus' name. God be the Glory...My life has been changed and is now emerging in what God spoke to me through you, Pastor Russel. Thank you. Your prophetic words are light for my path; the words help me to keep my focus on the Father. I thank God for speaking through you. It gives me courage to keep pressing into God and not to look to the left and right, but to have a singleness of heart. That is, to please the Father. God bless you and the ministry. I pray every need is met and every desire is fulfilled in Jesus' name. God is good! - Sheila

Dear Russel Jeondosanim! You are truly GOD's person! Your kindness and faith will be remembered. Whenever I hear your sermon, I can feel how much you put your time, sweat, and prayer as well. Thank you for being here for us at Ttanggeut Church. Best regards - Connie

I will always remember the day we had lunch at Febias. You shared your dreams and desires to us. I was so excited for you! I thanked God for bringing you close to Him. I can sense that God has great plans for your life. I hope that your love for God will continue to grow even through difficult times. Be faithful even in small things. May you experience the joy of loving and serving others. I praise God for your obedience and perseverance. Hope you can visit us soon. Please allow us to give you some financial help. Love, Tita Ellie

Russel has touched the lives of many people within our neighborhood even at his young age. He has shared the gospel to almost everyone of them. Even in our province, he would go even to the barracks of the army to proclaim the good news. He is a man of faith, and a generous giver, willing to make sacrifices for others. - Paul

Russell once said, You know what Ate? I Am A Millionaire, and I think Everyone is!" Then he showed me bundles of receipts he purposely kept and said, "If we only learn how to count our blessings, we'll see how rich we are and how God provides!" - one fine morning conversation. He collected all the receipts he bought, from books to even small things like pen or toothbrush and etc. After that, I started to collect receipts, too...hahaha just to prove if I'm a millionaire, too! I also often borrowed that memory to illustrate a point in preaching - Esther 

Being with Russel for many years, it taught me the value of empowering my hands and equipping my life so I can have faithful service to the Lord. The value of taking actions and addressing people's needs as Jesus did while doing His ministry. And not only the spirituality of the people. It turned me into a doer from being a spectator of those people in need - Julie 

God does everything for His Glory. It shows me that God has a plan and His plan is for His own desires, desires which include me - Kerry

I feel so glad that I met this guy as my friend. Every time I visit the Christian Service, I really feel happy and blessed that I have the chance to know the word of God. I think often about people who influenced my life. One of those influences for me is Ruzzle. I want to thank you our Dear Pastor Ruzzle Ocampo for preaching the word of the Lord. Thank you for the times we've shared, especially during our bonding moments (when we have our devotion). We didn't do it often but I still remember when we did. I watched you interact with others, share the Gospel with us, and pray for us. God bless you always Pastor Ruzzle. More power to you and I'm so proud of you! - Marjherie

God is the center of all creation. Everything is created for His glory. God is including us to take part in the restoration of His original plan for His creation by placing every aspect of our lives under the Lordship of Christ. Pastor Ruzz's sermon helps me examine my life, my relationships, and my future plans. It serves as an encouragement to bring it under the lordship of Christ! - Mark 

Through my conversations with Russel, I am becoming more and more convinced that, despite everything I see to the contrary, the world is actually becoming a better and better place! This new perspective has shot through my pessimistic view of creation and humanity and has challenged me to recalibrate the way I think about and treat the material/natural world, as well as how intentionally and joyfully I live my life. Russel keeps reminding me that, as a Christian, I am not only to be a passive witness to this upward trajectory towards glorification, but an active agent helping bring about heaven on earth - Mimi

In my view, my nephew Ruzz had a rough childhood. But God got a hold of his life and has turned it into a trophy of His grace. I am so thankful to God for what He has already accomplished in his life and what He is still building him to be. God has a special work for him to do and I am praying that he finds it and pursues it passionately - Tito Abe

I remember the time we had a trip to Jeju Island and he challenged me to read verses in the Bible. And the passage that struck me most was Jeremiah 29:11. And so true, God has a perfect plan for everything. You just have to wait and be faithful for God's purpose is greater than your heart desired. I am so proud of this man (Russel) for he is such a really, really good friend of mine, and all of his advice and encouragement really changed me a lot. I do believe as if he has a magic tongue (not magic tricks, ha...:)) that whenever he speaks, it really touches and awakens people's hearts and minds. I'm so proud of you, Ruzz! God bless you always, and thank you! :D - Irene

God is your happiness. Do not depend on something or someone to make you happy. Those are some lines that I remember during his sermons that has struck me most - Xymon

The very thing that I have learned from Pastor Russel's sermon is all about knowing how big our God is. God is bigger and greater than what a human mind could imagine. No wonder he always mentions that everything we do and how we live our lives should bring glory to the King of kings. Moreover, I am always moved by the introduction of his sermon (something I think is almost constant) and that is to pray for our loved ones who haven't known Jesus Christ or haven't heard the Gospel. I am moved by his heart's desire to reach out to our loved ones through prayer so that they could experience as well the gift of Salvation that we believers are enjoying through the grace of our Lord Jesus. This invitation of Pastor Russel to pray for our unsaved families and friends is already a message indeed! :) - Joan 


Russel, I am sure you will be a powerful man of God who is using you by His hand. Your sermon always have touched our hearts. Please work hard for the Kingdom of heaven so that it will make Him pleased, cool wherever you are, whatever you do. I hope everything may go well with you by His favor. God bless you! - David 

FILIPINO PASTOR IN SOUTH KOREA

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this post! If I missed a message from you, please send it to me and I will include it here. I hope you enjoyed the video, especially since I hazarded my life on multiple occasions just to get these few clips (he is extremely camera shy)!

A Sunday Date with a Former School Co-Worker and Her Two Children

GWAJANGNIM VISITS HOLY JOY

This Sunday, Gilnam Gwajangnim joined our English service at Holy Joy and brought her two children, Ji Won and Ji Seong. Gwajangnim used to work at Yeongdo Girls High School, and also used to be one of my teacher/officer adult students. Even after our class session ended, she continued to come by the English office and ask after my life here in Korea. When I heard that she would be moving to work at a different school, I was legitimately saddened by the news. I visited her at the administrative office on her last day of work just to say goodbye, and was happy when she made good on her word to keep in touch. 

Because my weekends are so packed, it only made sense to invite her to church, which was a new experience for her and her family as they are Roman Catholic. I appreciated her willingness to come, and meet my church family.

Gwajangnim introducing herself and her children in front of the church

After church, we went out for coffee and stayed there catching up and pondering Russel's many magic tricks. Ji Seong, the young boy, quickly bonded with Russel. His older sister, Ji Won and I talked about her life in middle school and what she wants to do with her future.

Ji Seong was very convinced Russel's magic were really not magic, and tried his best to figure out how the tricks were done

By the time we finished drinking our coffees and teas, it was dinner time and we were all fairly hungry, so the five of us went to Lotte Department Store and ate at a pizza restaurant.

It seemed Ji Seong would never let go of Russel after spending just one afternoon with him

When we were about to leave each other's company, Ji Seong kept asking his mom when he would next see Russel. Never mind me, but Russel! Gwajangnim just laughed and reassured him that they would be returning to Holy Joy again and then he could see his older brother Russel again.

It was so sweet to watch the two of them. I appreciated Russel's company during this date because I don't think I would have been as successful interacting with the whole family on my own. He kept his energy level up in a way that I could no longer even pretend to muster, and he did it on less sleep than me and more work before and ahead of him than I did.

A FEW HOURS EARLIER...

This basically never happens: Russel so exhausted as to be catching precious few minutes of shut-eye right after service ended. 

Celebrating Korean Alphabet Day (or Hangeul Day) by Eating at Hurgsiru in Gijang, a Traditional Korean Restaurant Famous for Its Sulfur Duck

Holy Joy Center's English Service at Gijang posing by a 350-year-old tree!

CELEBRATING A COUPLE OF HOLIDAYS IN OCTOBER

Today, South Korea celebrates the 568th anniversary of the invention and proclamation of its extremely scientific Korean alphabet, otherwise known as Hangeul Day. I am growing quite fond of Hangeul and, without realizing it, have even begun to use this alphabet to write down notes in Visaya, Tagalog, and English. Pretty neat, I know...

Since this is a national holiday, students and teachers alike had the day off (Hooray for another holiday!). Last week featured a three-day weekend, thanks to National Foundation Day, and, though it might seem like I am getting spoiled by all these holidays, the next one is set to be on December 25th, Christmas.

NEEDING A BREAK, NEEDING A BREAK, NOT GETTING A BREAK
After what has been an emotionally-taxing last couple of weeks, I was particularly set on just staying home and relaxing. Alas, like other times, this was not to be.

While at church last Sunday, I overheard the deacons making plans for an English worship service all-day event. It was going to be a time of bonding! A time of eating! And drinking (coffee or tea)! And road tripping! It was going to be very exciting.

Except I didn't want exciting. 

I wanted relaxing. 

I didn't want to do.

I just wanted to be.

THE PERFORMANCE NEVER STOPS

Weighed down by various considerations here and back home, I was extremely reluctant for what was looking a lot like an all-day performance in affective display. I was already doing this all-day-performance-in-affective-display thing in the workplace, in front of tens of co-workers and hundreds of students, 5 times a week, and 8 hours a day; days which consisted of my thoughts crumpling past, present, and future issues into one unwieldy and likely madeopseoyo roll of kimbap. Before I turn the corner, I had forcedly swallowed this metaphorical kimbap and, in the name of professionalism and for the sake of my students, had pasted a smile on my face.

I'm a teacher, afterall. 

This is essentially part of my job description. 

However, in other spheres in my life, I wanted and expected a break. I wanted to be at a place that remained stationary; to be around people who I didn't need to pretend to be okay in front of. That or just to be in my bedroom, tucked under my increasingly-thickening covers with the lights off. 

Nobody coerced me to go but the multiple urgings and reminders and special looks from different people all made it clear that I was to be nowhere else but in attendance. So I went, not wishing to offend or disappoint anyone. 

The following is a photo story of this day. 

HURGIRSU SERVING SULFUR DUCK IN GIJANG

We took two vans and a car, with Russel and me riding in Pastor/Professor Gabriel's car with his family! Here, you see his beautiful wife and daughters checking out a huge pumpkin and other vegetables growing around the Traditionally Korean-themed restaurant. Probably my favorite photo of the day before my phone died 

INTRODUCING MY SWEET KAYLA
This is the adorably smart, dimpled, and curly-haired Kayla, Professor Gabriel's older daughter. She adores me and stuck by my side throughout the car ride, the meal, and our exploration of this place, as well as the car ride back home. Half-joking, her mother commented to me before we headed to the restaurant that she had come to terms with the fact that,

"Today, I am not her mother." 

ON TRADING IN YOUR MOTHER AND FATHER, ON LEAVING YOUR FAMILY BEHIND

I giggled, remembering the few times during my own childhood when  I had respectfully attempted to temporarily trade in my mother and father for another set of parents or family. At 4 years old, I clearly remember reassuring my mom that I would be back shortly (a week or so, or even within a couple of days, if she was lucky), and to please not forget that I was Mimi, their daughter. My mom would help a little as I very-independently set about trying to fold and pack my few possessions in a tiny plastic bag. Regretfully-yet-eagerly, I waved goodbye to my mom as I ascended the stairs to our neighbor's house, a floor above ours. She would wave back, increasing my sadness at having to leave home. 

Within a matter of a few hours, our good neighbors would return me home, agitated and in denial of the fact that I had been crying for nearly my whole sojourn due to homesickness, and too proud to actually return home on my own when I had been so willful in leaving. 

All of these childhood memories flooded my mind in a second with no introduction, no conclusion, and certainly no transitions.

From the driver's seat, Prof. Gabriel turned my direction in the backseat and reported that Kayla always talks about me. 

Prof Gabriel: Just this morning, she said, "Daddy, Daddy! Mimi is SOOO beautiful!" 

Really? Just out of nowhere?

Just out of nowhere!

Hmm. Cool!

BEING THOUGHT OF AND BEING THOUGHT WELL OF, THESE ARE HUGE!
I squeezed Kayla's hand a bit and smiled straight ahead, not wishing to make the little girl feel embarrassed. Her daddy's report cheered me immensely because she had not said it to me directly, to compliment me. She had just said it as a sort of morning declaration (or at least this is what it appears to me, hehe). And while it certainly doesn't hurt that Kayla thinks I am beautiful, I was more touched by the fact that this little girl thinks of me and, not only that, but also thinks well of me. Accurate or not, she believes the best in me and expects the best of me. 

The rest of the ride (and the rest of the day) was easier after hearing this simple thing (thanks Prof!). 

The girls gathered water from this basin. In the hot, noonday sun, the shimmering water in the basin looked enticing. I crouched down about to get a handful of water to splash on my forearms when I noticed a dead earthworm at the bottom.

Hmmm, no thanks!

For some reason, the kids seemed blind to its presence, so, in an effort to help preserve their carefree play, I didn't mention it (though I did keep a careful eye on any child who would attempt to drink the water). *Shudder*

Ariel, Kayla's younger sister, turned 5 today! We carried around a cake for her, but had to wait until later in the afternoon to sing her Happy Birthday. She was in good cheer all day, except at one point where she had gotten lost and tumbled back into the area where the rest of the adults were still eating, crying and clinging to her mom.

Once again, memories flooded my mind. The little girls are reminding me a lot of my own family, and childhood, and - I will spare you the details.

The famous Sulfur Duck served with a large pumpkin! This was very delicious!

A view of the outside. Such a sunny day!

Ariel dispensing gum to any and everybody who asked for some

Enjoying each others' company as we prepared to take a group photo under the shade of a 350-year-old tree!

 Deacon Yu assisting his father towards the rest of the group

 The beginning of our walk around the restaurant grounds (it was not an ordinary restaurant)

Where they store all kinds of ingredients for cooking!

Rounding a corner to find this view

Old kitchenware and appliances

I love these hanging vegetables!

Ariel looking cute running around and playing with her sister

Entering a building with some merchandise for sale, and a slew of artifacts on display

Hey, these look familiar!

Kayla liked being rocked on this rocking chair. Unfortunately, it's rocking capacity was extremely limited due to design and placement. We visited a mini zoo (yes, there was even a mini zoo attached to this place), and the kids had a great time harvesting nearby leaves and feeding them to the guinea pigs and rabbits - in complete violation of a sign that said not to feed the animals...(In my defense, the sign was in Korean, erm).

FEELING "AT HOME" WITH SOMEONE
I did not get the relaxing Day Off that I wanted, but I welcomed the ebb and flow of memories of home that today brought, as well as appreciated the time I had to create more memories with the little girls. It's amazing how one of their facial expressions (lit with happiness or tear-streaked with distress) can take me back in one snap of a finger. On the way home, Kayla fell asleep beside me, pressing uncomfortably against my left ribcage, but so comfortable- and peaceful looking while she slept in the crook of my arm that I couldn't bear to move her.

I hope this girl will always feel at home with me and around me! Today has been a blessing, sore rib cage and all.