Loving Orphans

Before moving to Seoul, a lot of conversations looked like this;
Others: "Do you want to teach?"
Me: "No, but it is where the Lord is leading me right now."
O: "What do you want to do?"
M: "I would love to teach English to orphans."

I knew long before moving to Korea that being an orphan came with a stigma and hardships that are not as intense in the US. My heart was moved, even then, to move towards loving the orphans here in Korea. When the Lord brought me to Korea, I trusted that he brought me where I was for a reason, but I honestly could not see any big picture as I continues to trust him, and began piecing my life here together. Finally, I am beginning to get a clearer vision as to what the future may possibly hold. This weekend I was introduced to the Jerusalem Ministry, and their program the Oak Tree Project. Jerusalem Ministry is an organization here in Seoul, that is focused on loving and serving the orphans of Korea, starting here in Seoul, then the rest of South Korea, then eventually the many orphans in North Korea... and hopefully to the ends of the earth after that. Oak Tree Project is an answer to an immediate need of orphans here in Seoul. Children raised in orphanages at 18 are basically abandoned by the state to be adults. They are given a small stipend to get set up with an apartment and job, but all other emotional and financial support is basically removed from their lives. Many struggle to make ends meet, fall into deep depression, and fall prey to the false promises of gang life or prostitution. You see, those are the "jobs" that don't fire someone for being an orphan. Family means quite a bit here on the Korean peninsula, and so where someone finds out you do not have one, you become easy target for those who strive to exert their power over others. I have already heard stories of women preyed upon by a boss with inappropriate sexual advances once he learned she was an orphan and another who was told to break up with her "pastor's son" boyfriend, because she, as an orphan, did not match him in social status. THIS WAS THE GIRL'S PASTOR! These were the stories fit to be shared in a public way. There are many more darker and painful moments that hurt to much to share with others. That is the reality for these kids. Now imagine this life, but you also have also been accepted into University. You now have to work full time to survive and hopefully have enough for tuition while combating all of the other hurdles surrounding you. This is where Oak Tree Project strives to begin change. Oak Tree Project is a scholarship program that provides tuition (and living expenses I believe) so students can be students and focus on learning. Most importantly, they provide each student a dedicated mentor who loves Jesus, who has committed to call these students at least once a week to check up on them, and to invite them over for a home cooked meal once a month.

Every day, I get to see the struggle of friends who are foster parents or who have adopted their children, and daily fight to overcome the scars and pain their children have fro,m having been an orphan. Just thinking about 18 year olds, who have never really known or been shown that love, finding themselves in this new mentor/student relationship is  overwhelming. They must be so scared. If you are reading this, then pray for these students and their mentors. Pray for more mentors to step up. Pray for more financial support. I am sure there are applicant's who are able to qualify for the scholarship due to a lack of resources... Wouldn't it be amazing if that was not the case... that the support for these students always exceeded the need. Currently, I am praying about how the Lord is calling me to act. As mentors need to be fluent in Korean, I am not fit to serve as a mentor... does this mean spending the next few years supporting from afar with prayer and learning the language better? Does this mean serving in some other way? I don't know yet. But join me in prayer in the very least.