All in Korean, eh?
I had it in my head, as soon as we were given this assignment, a place I have always been curious about.
The Tallahassee Korean Baptist Church.
I called twice and left messages, and finally, seeing only the numbers 9:30 and 11 on their website, decided I would head to the 11. Which I assumed indicated a time. A.m. On Sunday. That service was held.
I was right!
Showing up, I was greeted at the door by a very kind man, who asked in the most polite way possible what I was doing there. I explained to him the TEFL assignment and asked if it was o.k. for me to sit in. Nice as can be he said yes, and guided me to the back of the church, after taking my name down as a visitor. He told me I'd be introduced to the congregation later. Hmm. Well, the whole place is way more Baptist than Korean. The choir went up and began singing. The lyrics to the songs, all in Korean were shown on a big screen behind them. Everyone was flawless. Korean? Baptist? I really don't know what made them so...
Prayer time was the same, someone spoke in Korean, but at least I could close my eyes and get in to my own head for a while.
Then Reverend KeeSoo Na gave his sermon. Not a word in English. Someone came up behind me and told me the scriptures to read, but there were no Bibles, not even Korean Bibles. I spent the time trying to people watch, but even that wasn't too exciting- people are the same in the Korean Baptist Church. Had I really thought this would be so different?
I am surprised by how many people are there, and how many young people. Given, Asians really don't age, but I mean young people, 20's young. That was neat. I'd asked a few questions of the nice greeter man (Like his name...which I can't begin to repeat) and he'd told me it was a congregation of about 120. I'm going to estimate 50 or so were in the pews today.
I tried to find patterns in the characters for some of the passages that Pastor Na had put up on the screen behind him. Then I began to get worried about the offering plate coming around because I didn't have any cash, but it never came...That was nice.
Suddenly, as I've been people watching my eyes out (Korean babies...oh my goodness!!) the doors in the back open, and Korean children come flooding in. Pastor Na had pointed to the back of the church so I knew someone was entering but not this! They all streamed to the altar and lined up. Their teacher close behind cued the music and "This Little Light of Mine" (in English) began. In terms of cuteness I really don't think anything can top 30 little Koreans children singing and wiggling. Next came, "Amazing Grace" with a fast upbeat tempo. ...And the adorable-factor for me has pretty much been set.
Afterwards, they all run to their parents, and then out the doors they go again. Pastor Na speakes for a little longer, I'm thinking administrative stuff, then another song, another prayer and suddenly, I hear my name. I stand up and smile and wave and that's it. I wish I'd bowed. No but really, I learned that 'bowing' really is the way things are done.
I learned this after the service. When I was invited by the nice greeter (I really did get his name...Just can't recall it) to join the congregation for lunch. Korean? Yum!
I walk in to the fellowship hall, my how Baptist I sound, and there is KimChee on all the tables! It is Korean!
I get in line and that's when I notice the bowing. It's the way they greet each other. I'm feeling uncomfortable now. Finally, a young guy behind me speaks in English. Geez, I needed that. I turn around and wish I could respond in Korean, but say "Thank you!" We begin talking. I find out this is his home church and when he's home from UF for the summer he comes with his grandmother, who doesn't speak any English. I try to remember to bow to her but end up kind of doing a knee bend thing and a wave.
This is the kind of buffet line where people make your plate for you (which always stresses me out) but doubly so now, because I'm afraid I'll have to talk and I'll end up with the boy's grandmother yelling at me in Korean. I pick the less colorful of my two options, knowing that colorful usually means spicy. I miss where the chopsticks are, and get a fork instead. I find a spot and sit down, knowing I need to talk to someone and wishing I'd asked my line friend if I could sit with them... And then sits Kim.
People like Kim Perrier are a God-send in any language.
Her English was perfect, she moved here in the 1970's and I swear it, it was so perfect, I think she even had a bit of a Southern twang...weird! She works at the airport. She informed me that the whole church eats together every Sunday, with about 7 different prayer groups swapping out paying for it and preparing the food. "Come by any Sunday!" Always free, always Korean. And always a non-spicy option. Somehow, I like Kimchee, and I told her that, and my favorite dish Japchae, which she said was her daughter's favorite. I didn't want to get too personal with her- don't want to get all anthropological or case study on these people, you know? So we just sat and she explained a few things about the Church, and being Korean in the area. Only one Korean grocery store, and only one restaurant...I can't even remember where it is, now :( She dealt with people making fun of her accent when she first moved, but she explained that she was young, and now she knew how she would respond... "I speak two languages, fluently...And how many do you speak?" Hah, I love it, Kim. Here, meet Kim:
Kim asked what differences I'd noticed in the service. I told her I was Catholic, but grew up with lots of Baptist friends and had been to lots of Baptist services.
I did notice one thing different: When Rev. Na put up a scripture on the big screen, and gave the signal (whatever that was) the whole congregation said it together. She explained that actually Rev. Na would read a line, then the congregation would read a line. Nice approach.
After a little more chatting, I said my goodbyes. Lots of people were heading out a side door, but I didn't want to be too curious. I headed out the front, and got someone to take my picture, for documentary purposes.
All in all, I learned that even a Korean Baptist Church, is still church. Still people. Doing their people things. You can still get bored. Still lose the beat when you're clapping along, or go-off key as you hum along...Still wonder what on Earth the preacher man is saying to you, or what that one lady just said to you...The only difference is, it's in Korean. And so, you can stay blissful.
Good time!...........
...............시간이 좋아요!
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