Jesus Abbey

This Thursday was the Lunar New Year, probably the biggest holiday in Korea. Our family, along with Pastor Bob's family, visited Jesus Abbey which is a retreat center about 4 hours from our house. At the abbey, visitors usually rise at 5:30 and have a 1 hour worship service before breakfast, after lunch, and after supper. The visitors to the abbey are supposed to spend their time in prayer and meditation as well as working at the abbey. Though it was a holiday and the abbey was closed to visitors, they allowed us to come, and we really enjoyed our time there.
Arriving Wednesday afternoon, we had rice, tofu soup, and acorn jelly for supper followed by dumpling soup, fish, and rice cake for breakfast. Of course, kimchi accompanies every meal. Actually, it was all very good.
Thursday morning, after the abbey bell woke us up at 6 (we got to sleep in since it was a holiday), we headed upstairs for morning worship and breakfast. Afterwards, we enjoyed experiencing the tradition of bowing to your elders. After bowing all the way to the floor, the adults give the children money. We were included in the ceremony; Dad and Mom also had to give out money. Following the bowing ceremony, we played a traditional Korean game (that involves throwing small sticks) which we have played before but have never yet figured out all the rules. They get really into the game, yelling when (I guess) something exciting happens. We were divided up into several different teams with the winner of each round moving on. Although my team lost every round, I still got a box of cookies for a prize.
The founder of the abbey was an American, and his son (who is Dad's age) is now in charge of operations there. He and his wife live on the Three Seas ranch where they are raising cattle about 10 minutes from the abbey. Their mission, now that the abbey has been well-established for many years, is to train Koreans for the development of North Korea once its government fails. Their focus is on agriculture and the development of the land.
To say we saw snow is a bit of an understatement. There was so much up in the mountains, a good three feet at least. We have so many pictures that I am posting them on a separate post (see below). Thankfully, the pictures are the best part! :)