At the start of this step of faith I did say I was putting everything into God's hands. I knew that they were always looking for teachers for overseas, but if this was not God then He could close all doors. I also said that I could only consider a position that was paid. So many had already helped me along my journey and I knew I had to be able to go and take care of myself. So I could only consider paid teaching positions. Beijing, China was a paid position so I decided to email them that I was interested. Indonesia was not a paid position and Japan really hadn't mentioned anything about the position so I asked them for some more information.
On March 6, I received the inquiry from Seoul, South Korea, and I stated an interest with them as well. And on March 8, I applied with Jakarta, Indonesia. So at this time I had shown interest in 4 schools in 4 different locations in Asia. Throughout all of March I was contacted by 15 schools altogether. The first 3 being on March 1 and the last 1 on March 31.
Most of all my communication with these schools took place between March 10-13. Most of the correspondence was with China and Indonesia at this point, just a couple with Korea. However, I had heard nothing back from Thailand at all and of course this was where I really wanted to go. On the 13th I had thought that Indonesia wanted to get the process started before they went on break the week of the 20th. However,I found it odd that I hurried up and got the information the principal requested but did not hear anything back from him. On the 14th, I really had been emailing back and forth with China and he wanted to set up a time to have a phone interview with me. Our emails were going really well and he had been asking me some pretty tough questions. So on Thursday, March 16, I spoke with the principal from China for a couple of hours. I felt the interview went well and he wanted to see what their enrollment was going to look like (see no teachers were leaving, they were adding a second grade and possibly a third grade class the following year). He also wanted to get some references from me. I was still surprised I hadn't heard from Indonesia and I also decided to check back with Thailand. Thailand did not get back with me at all this time (and actually as of today I still have not heard from them- guess NOT where God wanted me!)
March 20, I heard back from Korea. We exchanged a few emails that night. As well as me getting an email from China. Korea wanted to set up a time for a phone interview as well and China said they were still waiting for things. So on Wednesday, March 22, I interviewed with the principal from Seoul, S. Korea. I think we talked about an hour. He asked me some really hard questions and at the end of our conversation he said that he would like me to pray about it and if I had peace in my heart that they would love for me to come and teach their fourth grade class the following school year. I asked him if he had a time line when I needed to get back to him and he said no, just take your time and let us know when you have that peace. He said if a long enough time had gone by he would get back in touch with me. I remember getting off the phone at 9:30pm, I wanted to call my best friend, Kendra, or my dad and step-mom, however they were both on the east coast and it was 11:30 their time. I didn't think they'd appreciate my call at that time. I also tried Allyson, because she wanted me to call after the interview, and she had already gone to bed for the night. I also tried my friend, David, but again no answer. I wish I could express to you all the way I felt at that moment, but I can't. It was strange and I just felt like I wanted to talk to someone, no one physically was available but God sure was. The next day on my way to work I found it interesting, I was recalling our interview and realized he had not asked me anything about my class room management or class anything. All the questions he asked me were about my walk with Christ. My heart realized what the schools focus was really all about.
So I had an offer on my heart. I knew what the pay would be in both Korea and China. And well I set out to pray and to seek the peace I had wanted. I had been sharing with my class the process I was going through. And on Friday, March 24, I had asked them if they could pick which place I would end up going to what they would say. I really thought the vote would be for Thailand, after all they knew I wanted to go there, we had just spent a week studying it, and my friend came in and spoke to them about his trip. So I was very surprised that 11 of the 14 of them picked Korea as their choice. All they knew at this point was that I had applied to the four and interviewed with China and Korea. They did not know that I had an offer from Seoul. Karen, my step-mom, said do think that could be your sign. The funny thing is is that I could not get the peace I was looking for, but I really believe that was my fear inside keeping it from me. It is funny looking back, so many said they knew before I did that I was going to Korea (especially my dad and Allyson). I wish I could tell you my four days of prayer were good, but a lot of fear and emotions flowed through my every ounce of being.
After my usual Sunday with the Robbins, and Allyson and I pretty much talking about it the whole day, I decided I did know where I was going. I think I knew the night He offered me the position, but as I stated my fear kept me from the peace I wanted.
So on Sunday, March 26, 2006, I had no idea how my life was about to change. I came home late afternoon knowing that I was going to send an email to Seoul, South Korea informing them that I would love to teach their fourth grade class the next year.
And that is when I got my sign and peace from God!! I had sent the email to Seoul and then walked away from the computer for about 10 minutes. When I came back there was an email from Indonesia. They had wanted to interview me and call some references because they were interested in offering me a position. The principal wrote that he didn't think I received his last email and since they were back from break he wanted to get things rolling. So he had included the email he sent me. He actually wrote me back right away on the 13th, but I never received the email. I said I had step away from the computer for 10 minutes, but in fact Indonesia was emailing me right as I was emailing Korea my yes. I know God kept that email from me. I should have interviewed with Indonesia the week I interviewed with China and way before Korea. And they would have offered me a job and I know I would have taken it. This was a huge confirmation that I was going where God wanted me to go, not where I wanted. This makes this whole adventure that much more amazing.
So Centennial Christian School in Seoul, South Korea, here I come. The interesting thing is that it is the only school of the four I applied that does not have the word International in it. I am going to attach the first email Mr. L sent me from CCS in Seoul, telling me about the school.
Dear Miss Morton:
After reading your file, posted on the ACSI site, we were wondering if you would be interested in learning about our school. We believe your diverse experience in teaching would be a blessing for our students. We are looking for an experienced, strong teacher, for our fourth grade class. We are a small school of 125 students, in grades K-12. We teach a standard American based curriculum, while presenting a Christian world view to our students. We are a WASC accredited school and a member of ACSI. Our first priority is the salvation of students and their families. Then, by God's grace, we disciple our students and encourage their witness in the world around them. All our faculty and staff are followers of Christ, commited to prayer and Bible study. During the last two years, our students and faculty, have taken mission trips to the Philippines and participated in ministry around the city of Seoul.
The students come from a variety of homes. Around 95 % of our students are ethnically Korean. Approximately a quarter of the students are Christians. Many come from Buddhist backgrounds. Parents bring their children to our school to learn to develop their English language fluency and prepare them to enter American universities.
God has blessed this school with fruit in the lives of the students, families and faculty. Many students return to share their "new found" faith in Jesus Christ. With your background in Christian education, a commitment to teach and a desire to serve our Lord on the mission field, we wonder if you would consider our school.
If you would be interested in serving at CCS, please send a resume, 3 references and your desired class grade level. We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Jim La Salandra
Centennial Christian School, Principal
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