From Pohang, South Korea

Handong University - a Christian university of 3500 students at undergraduate and graduate levels. Home of the SIL-related Asian school to train Bible translators. There is a huge need for Bible translation in Asia.

Lots of top-notch technology here. And note the yellow curbs: they're some sort of plastic that never needs painting.

One thing that is striking is that obesity has not yet hit South Korea. After a full week I've only come across one person who was obese. There's a reason: one student was snacking on what looked like potato chips. It turned out to be dried squid. On an outing yesterday, 2 little girls brought a snack: seaweed. And don't forget the ever present kimchi. Can't have a meal without it. If you want to see this vestige of a slim society, come quickly. They say fast food is making inroads.

The Scripture use class is made up mostly of Koreans preparing for ministry in Bible translation, but also one Chinese guy, a Nepalese pastor, and a guy from Burundi. We're having a great time so far.

Slow food: I've been taken out to a traditional Korean meal twice now. Yesterday's eating adventure included 43 dishes for 4 adults. Very tasty, and I'm improving in my chop stick skills (but after much unsuccessful effort was greatly relieved that even Koreans use their hands to make salad wraps).

Korea has thousands of years of history of reading and writing. This is a sort of pagoda castle complex built in 400's A.D. complete with man-made lake and exotic flora and fauna shipped in.

Please pray that the second half of this Scripture use course would go well and that the students would be well prepared for their future ministries.

I leave here on Friday for the next adventure in Bangladesh.