A letter from Simon and Haejung Park in Korea
April 15, 2010
Friends,
After we wrote to you last month, several of you asked us the specific ways you can support the Young Adult Volunteers, especially who will serve in Korea. Now we have the information and wanted to share it with you.
We are beginning to work with partners to assign specific service sites to the volunteers. They will be arriving in Korea on the last day of August and will start their service activities toward the end of September, after a period of settling in and orientation. We all need your prayer support for wisdom, courage, energy and humility.
We hope you would also consider supporting the program financially.
Rebecca (Becky) Fransisco
Hi, nice to meet you! I'm Becky Francisco. Just a few basic things about me ... I am 21 years old and soon to finish up my senior year at Smith College, where I am majoring in language studies. I am the daughter of a Presbyterian minister and a carpenter-turned-computer-specialist, and I also have an adorably sarcastic video-game-addicted little brother. I am so excited to be participating in the YAV program this year, especially in Korea! This upcoming year will surely hold challenges as I adjust to a different culture and confront the demands of mission and what it means to serve God, but I trust that God has a plan for me and will make it a wonderful eye-opening experience, helping me grow as I work alongside my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Support Becky Fransisco – E210901
Jennifer (Jenny) McArdle
I am finishing up my master's degree in International Development at Ohio University. At OU, I have focused on women and gender studies, sport-for-development, and African studies. My undergraduate degree was from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where I completed a self-designed major titled Global Development that focused primarily on the economics of growth, development, and globalization. Previously, I spent a few weeks in Seoul, South Korea, in a study abroad program, and also spent a month last summer in the southern African nation of Botswana. I love traveling, meeting new people, and especially trying new foods!
Support Jenny McArdle – E210902
Katherine (Katie) Patterson
My name is Katie Patterson, I am about to graduate from Ohio State University with degrees in Psychology and Sociology. I am also the president of Presbyterian Campus Ministry. My church family is very important to me and they have taught me the importance of sharing my talents with others. Also I enjoy traveling because I meet people from different cultures with different beliefs, and I can learn so much by understanding different perspectives. I enjoy taking the time to get to know people and help them in whatever way they need it. I look forward to coming to South Korea and getting to know all of you.
Support Katherine (Katie) Patterson – E210903
Or support the YAV program in general – E053999
International Young Adult Volunteers experience a year of developing Christian community through spiritual formation and volunteer service. Serving at several sites internationally, international young adult volunteers live together in Christian community and serve neighborhood ministries. Funds will be used for programmatic site support or to directly support young adult volunteers through reimbursement of outstanding student loans, housing and food allowance and/or a travel subsidy.
Now the mechanics of sending support:
- PC(USA) congregations may use the standard channel to send in the support with the ECO (Extra Commitment Opportunities) number noted in the communication.
- Individuals may send the contributions (with ECO number on the check) to
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3678
Grace and peace,
Haejung and Simon
The 2010 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 138
