The Wedding Run

>Date: Saturday, 28 March
Time: 3:18:57
Distance: 15.92 miles
우리는따로였던 두 영혼 앤드류 링크하트와 강유리가 이 결혼의 서약을 통해 하나로 함께 되는 것을 축하하고 기뻐하기 위해 모였습니다
Friends we are gathered to celebrate the coming together of two separate lives, to rejoice with Andrew Linkhart and Yuri Kang as they enter into this marriage covenant.
Woo-ri-nuen / ddaro-yut-dun/ du young-hone /Andrew Linkhart-wa / KangYuri-ga /e-kyul-hone-nui / sah-yah-kuel / tong-hae / hah-nah-ro / ham-ggae / dwae-nuen- guh-suel / chookha-hah-go / ghi-bbauh-hah-ghi, we-hae / mo-yut-suem-ni-da Just a few simple words. The groom was a handsome young American. The bride a beautiful young Korean. This was a very special day for Andrew and Yuri. Andrew’s twin brother and his parents from Longmont Colorado were here. Friends and extended family were present. The focus of the day should be on these two wonderful people who have blessed my life with their friendship. I now had the honor of officiating at the ceremony. I had practiced all week a few simple lines in Korean. Kim Me, who translated what I had written and served in that role during the ceremony, had patiently worked with me on diction, pronunciation, phrasing.

Is it possible to have language dyslexia? I swear the words that came out of my mouth are not the words in my brain. I have officiated at dozens of weddings spanning 35 years of ministry. Why was I so nervous with this one? Thankfully, the congregation had no interest in paying attention to the foreign minister. The focus was on the bride and groom. And a lovely wedding it was. It was so much fun to be a part of this celebration.

However, having a wedding buffet before a 16-mile run is NOT smart. I begin with this introduction to my long run because of what happened during the next three hours. As I headed down through Yonhidong, the words that I could not pronounce correctly or memorize were now flowing freely as I rounded corners, crossed streets, and moved with traffic. I could shout out the vows to folks passing by and they instantly recognized the words I was saying. I put the phrases of Shin-boo Yuri, hah-nue-nim-ggae / soon-jong-hah - yah / doo-sah-rahm-e / hahm-ggae / hah-nuen / sal-muel / chi- jahk- hah-myun - sah / kyul-hone-ui / sung-yak-uel /bah-dah-d(t)uel-(ria)yuh / Andrew-ruel / dahng-shi-nui/ shi-rahng-ue-ro / mah-ja / oh-nuel-boo-tuh / ah-pro / gyae-soke / jo-uel-ddae-na / nah-bbuel-ddae-na / booyoo-hahl -ddae-na / ga-nahn-hahl-ddae-na / ah-puel-ddae-na / gun-gahng-hahl-ddae-do / suh-ro / sah-rang-hah-go / ah-gge-gaet-suem-ne-gga? 신부 유리는 하느님께 순종하여 두 사람이 함께 하는 삶을 시작하면서, 결혼의 성약을 받아들여 앤드류를 신랑으로 맞아 오늘부터 계속, 좋을 때나 나쁠 때나, 부자일 때나 가난할 때, 아플 때나 건강할 때도 사랑하고 아끼겠습니까? to the music of Aretha and Willie. I introduced the couple to congregations gathered at stop lights and street crossings: Ghi- bbuen / ma-huemeuro / Kang Yuri -wa / Andrew Linkhart / bubu-ruel / yah-rah-b(p)oon-gge / so-gae-hahm-ni-da. (It is my pleasure to introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. Kang-Linkhart.) Folks would pretend either not to hear, or step back, clearing the way for the crazy guy. Words that would not come out properly during the ceremony, were now forcing themselves through my teeth, as if I had turned on the self-cleaning button on the oven. (You know, the ones, that once the cycle begins, you cannot stop until it is finished!) It was only in the exhaustion of mile 15 that the words subsided and I could think again.

Outside my head, Seoul was a busy city on this Saturday afternoon. Filled with hope and Hite, dozens of protesters rallied at Seoul Station around the cause of the oppressed. Police busses lined the streets coming into the station. Further down the boulevard, in the Yongsan area, another protest was in progress regarding the plight of poor home owners being forced out of thier homes by the government, some of whom had lost their lives in a severe fire just two months ago. Running along the railroad tracks, I passed a food kitchen sponsored by a local church. As I swung through the Hongik University Campus, a group of students were passing out phamplets raising awareness of the extreme conditions of poverty in North Korea.

In the last mile, I passed through a block long neighborhood of simple one-room homes, some with tin roofing. Two women were squatting in the street, sharing the news of the day. See, the poor are invisible in the shadows of the multistory apartment buildings that are so prevalent in Seoul—but they are here, just as they are present across the urban landscape of our global village.

Often the poor only have words with which to fight their cause. Their voices are their only weapon. They need to be heard. But will we listen? Join me in running to end poverty one child, one family, one village at a time. Lift your voice in their cause. Let your words flow.

Catching Up

Oksu Station, Line 3 up Cheongyecheon Stream to Cheongye Plaza, back Jongno Blvd to Kwangjang Market crossing Cheong gye to Bangsan Market, west to the Hammer Man and on past Ahyeon Furniture Street and Ewha Wedding Street into Sinchon and home

Date: Friday, 20 March

Distance: 14.39

Time: 3:04:08

Walk to Soccer Field, hit the track for speed run, and then back through ‘hood.

Date: Sunday, 22 March
Distance: 8 laps on track
Time: 22:13

Leisurely jog into campus, then aerobic workout on steps of Amphitheater.

Date: Monday, 23 March
Distance: 3864 steps Yonsei Amphitheater
Time: 25:02

Seodaemun-gu run past Gu office around back on Ansan, past Independence Park, through Kyonggi University Campus back into Sinchon and home

Date: Wednesday, 25 March

Distance: 7.14 miles

Time: 1:22:52

Time is piling up like dirty laundry and I really need to get back on schedule with the blog, so here are the latest stats. Yes, I have been, thankfully, staying on schedule with the runs, just not disciplining myself to be accountable via the blogging. The building is in the final stages of construction and we have spent considerable time there the last few days. As we move into relocation mode and develop work schedules for a variety of projects, even Jenny gets ignored. Running this week has an added urgency, as I try to shed one more kilogram before the wedding of Andrew Linkhart and Yuri Kang on Saturday. Not sure it will stick—these last two week, I have a ravenous appetite following the long runs.

The Comfort women are back in the news. These women, survivors of WWII, continue to testify of the horror and violence of being kept as prostitutes for the Japanese army during that dark time. Unfortunately is it not so different today. A recent entry on outreach-international.org goes, “When we think of poverty, images of sick children, starving mothers, war and more come to mind. But there are many more abuses of the poor. Most residents in impoverished communities do not own their homes, making them susceptible to the whim of the owners. Homes are made of impermanent materials and need repair often. When unskilled families attempt to fix things themselves, leaking roofs and broken toilets remain…Sometimes parents allow their children to migrate to find jobs in other regions, but it is risky because they can become victims of sex- and labor-trafficking industries. Even when children remain in school, some teachers require them to spend long hours cleaning the school, rather than learning in it, and even require children to buy food and equipment from them personally.

Outreach International helps persons who are taken advantage of. Helping people come together in a working community … People become empowered to resist abuse. And meet their challenges in new ways.”

The Japanese occupation in Korea was one of abject poverty. To force young women into army brothels was often seen as a step up from the squalor of their living conditions created by an unjust and violent occupation of their homes. Join me in running to end poverty one child, one family, one village at a time.

I've been thinking ...

Date: Tuesday, MARCH 17
Distance: 4.14 miles
Time: 49:00:00

I've been thinking. I tend to do that when running. Often it is more of a stream of consciousness. Sometimes there is an actual thought or two mixed in. Anyway, Seoul is celebrating St. Patrick's Day. Every little beer hall in the city seems to have a special price for the Green. A conservative Korean drinker on any weekend will spend an average of $50.00 USD on alcoholic beverages. Those who enjoy their soju will spend an average of $200.00 USD. That's just in Korea. I cannot imagine how much will be spent worldwide on this day of bingeing and revelry. Compare those figures with this one: At least 80% of humanity lives on less than $10.00 USD a day.

I am passing children on the street. Laughing and talking as they make their way to hagwan buses and other destinations, their crisp uniforms and full backpacks provide an image of health and wholeness as they finish one part of their day to begin another. While their parents struggle in this economy to make ends meet and provide the funds for the excessive, obsessive competition of education here, in other places, 30,000 children will die on this St. Patrick's Day from the issues related to poverty. They die "quietly" in some of the poorest villages on earth. They cries are not heard. Their plight is not seen. So. they do not matter in this world.

Buses, vans, taxis are lined up now in front of one of the schools I jog by. They take children to special academies that teach math, English, science, music and other subjects. Some of these children will not be home until 10: 00 p.m. Nearly a billion people in our world today cannot read a book or sign their name. Based on enrollment data, about 72 million children of primary school age in developing countries were not in school today. 57% of these children were girls.

As a round a corner, I am confronted with the weekly garbage collection. The housing complex has a pile stacked high in the street for pick-up. Such a basic service as sanitation is seen as the "right" of every Seoulite. 2.6 billion people in our world lack such basic services. Almost two in three people lacking access to clean water live in squalor, making less than $2.00 USD a day--that's 385 million people.

So far in this adventure, I have folks tell me they read this log and enjoy my thoughts. Not many have contributed. I am not criticizing. I am grateful some friends and strangers are supporting my feeble attempt at athleticism. I arrive back in Yonhidong to see a green leprechaun balloon going up by a local bar. Some businessmen in the street have started the celebration early. In the spirit of St. Patrick, I invite you to join me in running to end poverty, one child, one family, one village at a time.

Round and Round We Go

Date: Monday, March 9 Heart Attack Hill and Yonsei Amphitheater Steps
Time: 48 min?
Distance: 4.75 miles

Date : Wednesday, March 11 Yonsei University Running Track
Time: 1:13:02
Distance: 6.23 miles

This week has been quite active with appointments and trips to the construction site. A biting wind wants to accompany us wherever we go. So, I am combining the two runs in this blog entry. Holding oneself accountable for all to see can be a drag--but, that's why I am posting this. WYSIWYG.
Yonsei University has a new running track and soccer field. Until this year, it has been a sandlot that would be unbearable during yellow dust season. The upgrade is nice and is bringing out the neighborhood as well as providing a place for the ROTC class, the Drum Corp, the Athletic Dept, etc. to practice. Only criticism: The field has fake green PLASTIC grass on it. OUCH!

Today, a Korean fellow joined me on the track. Waited until I jogged by, then kept pace with me. His perfectly dyed and combed jet black hair was a tribute to old Korean guys (I suspect he is about my age). His pace was steady. I admired his stamina and he stayed with me through 8 laps, before I gave out (I had already done 8). One of the fears I have overcome is the inability to speak to another who does not speak "my language." In my travels, I have finally found the joy that comes with freely conversing with someone--when neither of us have a clue what the other is saying. I commented on his good looks and athletic style, the weather, his hair, asked him about family and career...he kept up his end with steady comments about I don't know what. Who cares? We enjoyed our time together and I have a new friend and running partner.

Too often, the poor are confronted with those who would talk down to them, talk past them, talk over them, talking around them, but not sharing with them. Those who are poor need friends like you to spend time with them. Listen. And share. Join me in running to end poverty one child, one family, one village at a time.

Run to the River to Pray

Date: Saturday, March 7, 2009
Time: 2:49:11
Distance: 13.82 miles

At least now, I know I can do it. We are half way there in our training. Today was the 1/2 marathon run. Richard Betts and I enjoyed a relaxed visit over coffee at Starbucks in Sinchon then parted ways as he headed back to the Brownstone to crunch numbers and I headed to the subway to crunch pavement. Took Line 2 to Hanyang University on the east side of Seoul. As you can see by the map, in order to get the mileage I needed, I ran along the river almost from the east to the west boundary of Seoul. In square kilometers covered, Seoul is just not that big a city. Most of the run was spent trudging into a 25 mile an hour head wind. With temp at 2C, feeling like -6 C, I was determined to make this my best effort. Now, I know that for any true runner, my time stinks, but it was still a personal best for me, beating my last 1/2 marathon in Philly two years ago by 26 minutes. So. I am HAPPY! Delighted. On Schedule.

Long runs along the Han are something I have come to appreciate and look forward to. Although there is an amazing amount of foot and pedal traffic along the river, it is still a quiet place to zone--get inside your own head as you keep moving along on the trail in front of you. No buses or baby carriages to dodge, no workmen to jump, no garbage to avoid, just a quiet time to reflect on the wonders of life.

This was not only a great run for me, but the best part was coming home to find my good friend, Roberta Jenkins back from China. After a quick shower, the two of us "caught up" at the little mandu (dumpling) shop on the corner. Good Health, good friends, good food. What more can one ask for?

For one fifth of the world's population, they will make it through the night with none or only one of the three. I invite you to join me in running to end poverty, one child, one family, one village at a time.

Running Jeoldusan-Beheading Mountain

Date: Wednesday
March 4, 2009

Time: 1:29:21

Miles: 7.55

The weather was great today and since it is supposed to rain tomorrow, I left Yonhidong for Han river. I need the miles, so I was determined to make this longer than a 10 K. The river trail was filled with bikers, hikers, strollers as Seoulites enjoyed the early Spring. Along the way is one of my favorite meditation spots.

Rising twenty meters above the Hangang River is a rock face where as many as 360 Catholics were martyred. Their throats slit and bodies dumped, they died horribly cruel deaths for nothing more than their beliefs. Some stories have the rocks covered with the red stain of blood for weeks and months following the massacre. Other urban myths declare that one can still find specks of dried red blood among the crevices. Jamdubong, now known as Jeoldusan (Beheading Mountain) Martyrs’ Shrine includes Yongdubong (Dragon Head Peak) and Jamdubong (Silkworm Head Peak). It was once a strategic point in terms of traffic and military importance during the end of the Joseon Dynasty. It is now a strategic point in the story of hope and liberation for the Korean people.

During the Byeonin Persecution of 1866, Christians were seen as a threat to the class system and the political power of the Dynasty. During those dark days, Christians were beginning to lift up to a closed culture the powerful message of the worth of every person. In the spirit of Christ, they fed and clothed the poorest among them. They brought medicine and healing to the sick. They challenged the political structure with voices of equality and justice. Christians were not the only ones raising their voices. But, in this instance, they were the ones most persecuted.

The issues and conditions of poverty in every generation are promoted and preserved by those who have political and financial power. Poverty is the single human condition created and perpetuated by human beings toward one another. In the fight against poverty, sometimes friends of the poor receive the Nobel Peace Prize. At other times, their throats are slit. Most of the time, friends of the poor are just ignored. That is the tragedy in today’s world. Don’t make the poor invisible. Don’t pretend the issues and challenges of poverty are insurmountable. Don’t ignore those who would be friend the poor. I invite you to join me in running to end poverty, one child, one family, one village at a time.

Pork Bellies and Princesses

Date: Tuesday March 3
Time: 55:02

Miles: 4.65

I ate too much this last weekend! Too much pig. Just call me Porky. Dwaejigogi. Samgyeopsal-gui. Jeyuk. Dwaeji-bulgogi. After my run on Saturday, I was hungry. Bring home the bacon. Chewing the fat. Didn't stop eating until Monday. I porked out on pig. Now I am paying for it. As I look down, I can't see my feet. That's pork belly, not beer gut, I am looking at. God, it isn't fair. This was the weekend of NO will power. What happened to my "Just Say No" friends? Cho Seon Ok. An Jae Ok. Shin Yumi. Kang Yuri. Kim Hyun Ahe. Kim Me. You're all wimps. It's your fault my legs feel like lead pipes struck in thick cement. OK. OK. Enough of the whining. You are what you eat. And that's what I are.

Happy Birthday Kelly! I am dedicating this waddle through Bukgajwa-dong to you. In light of today's circumstances (see above) I am challenging myself to 30, 30 second- 30 meter sprints to celebrate your thirtieth birthday. ( I know it's lame-kid, I'm trying to be funny here. Isn't working, is it?) Yes, my newly 30 year old daughter, the princess of my humble kingdom, is a marathon runner herself. John (her husband), Jenny Hare-Macsee (one of her fab friends) and Kelly ran in the 2006 Chicago Marathon. They were superb! Their dedication to training gave them a marathon they will always remember.

I wanted to be at the finish line for her, but just as life clashes with the wishes of many of us, so my work schedule had me half a world away during this significant event. In my life I have missed too many of precious moments with my family. I admit it. I love what I do. I have a passion for this great cause. My family endures. My children still call me Dad. Sometimes, I am very aware I don't deserve it.

So, this run through neighborhood back alleys, along the Hongjaecheon Stream, criss-crossing the streets of three dongs is a time to repent and rejoice. Repent for pigging out. Rejoice for the princess (Princess--as in one who deserves to be treated royally, a person of great promise, one who has special favor in the eyes of her father, but brings special favor into the lives of all around her) in my life--the light of my life, Kelly. Wherever you are Kelly, I want you to know I remembered your birthday... I just can't remember your phone number.

Downtown

Date: Saturday February 28

Miles: 10:45

Time: 2:13:07

Headed out the back door of the Brownstone, I decided to see how long it would take me to get downtown by way of Yongsan and Seoul Station. This route allowed me to wander down through the south part of Mapo-gu, head up (literally a 2 mile uphill climb) toward the train station, waddle around Sungnyemun Gate, crash into the tourist crowd at the changing of the guard at Deoksugung Palace, trudge my way up towards Gyeongbokgung Palace, saluting Admiral Lee Sun Sin as I went by.

As I rounded the corner (as seen above -- I can't get the angle right) to run smack into 12 buses of military police falling into formation on the sidewalk. No where to run. no place to hide. I decided to barge ahead, sidestepping the body shields, helmets, batons, etc. lying in the path as equipment being unloaded was transferred to the waiting lines of way too young boys ready for Saturday afternoon embassy duty. Three buses into the morass, they became aware of a foreign presence. Six buses down, they started to part the way for me. By the time I passed the tenth bus, the kids--soldiers- were giving me the high five. Finally reaching bus 12 I tried to hit the intersection before the light turned. No luck. I stopped. Catching my breath, I turned around to find twelve busloads of young men all looking my way. Awkward moment. I grinned and gave them the thumbs up. The kid in front of me saluted. They all started laughing and clapping and going back to whatever they were doing.

I crossed the intersection knowing the run back towards Yonhidong was going to be--yep--just as long as the run toward downtown.

My Hero Kim Hyun Ahe

Date: Wednesday February 25

Time: 1:23:23

Miles: 7.15

Last night Kim Hyun Ja passed away. She has been fighting cancer, struggling to manage the pain. Fiercely defying death to live another day, her frail body finally could fight no more and now lays at peace, wrapped in the love of family--four sisters, two brothers-- aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews. All have experienced this too often in their lives. Just a few months ago, Hyun Ja's 24 year old niece traveled the same path. Cancer is a cancer in this family.

My friend Kim Hyun Ahe (photo above) is her sister. Hyun Ahe is one of my personal heros. In a culture of personal reserve and proper distance, this 30 something mom of two fantastic children, has embraced life and embraced me in a tremendously warm and genuine fashion. Her energy, infectious laughter, sunny attitude and wonderful care brings joy to all around her. A few weeks ago, while spending part of my day teaching her husband and daughter how to ski, I could see her watching from a distance. She was beaming. She was so proud of her husband. Hey, learning to ski when we get to be big boys isn't easy! She readily invites me into the life of her family. I attend MinWoo's teakwondo performances, travel with the family to musical concerts and enjoy a Sollee celebration. And in the midst of the joy she brings to others, she struggles with the exhaustion and weariness that comes from caring for the pain of others. She mourns the death of loved ones. She worries about having enough to care and to spare. In unspoken ways she communicates her love.

So, what does this have to do with my run? The day is cold and dreary--fitting my temperament. The seven miles are spent in a melancholy mood as I grieve with the Kim family for the loss of a good person, a life cut short by a disease that can kills us ever so slowly, ever so violently, ever so painfully. Yet, my steps are light as I think of Kim Hyun Ahe. She will persevere. She will give strength to her family. She will go on living life. Ordinary. Mundane. Routine. And that's why she is my hero. Living her ordinary life is a source of extraordinary strength for others.

What is poverty?

Poverty is hunger.

Poverty is lack of shelter.

Poverty is being sick and not being able to see a doctor.

Poverty is not having access to school and not knowing how to read.

Poverty is not having a job, is fear for the future, living one day at a time.

Poverty is losing a child to illness brought about by unclean water.

Poverty is powerlessness, lack of representation and freedom.

Poverty has many faces, changing from place to place and across time, and has been described in many ways.

Most often, poverty is a situation people want to escape.

So poverty is a call to action -- for the poor and the wealthy alike -- a call to change the world so that many more may have enough to eat, adequate shelter, access to education and health, protection from violence, and a voice in what happens in their communities.

A common method used to measure poverty is based on incomes or consumption levels. A person is considered poor if his or her consumption or income level falls below some minimum level necessary to meet basic needs.

This minimum level is usually called the "poverty line". What is necessary to satisfy basic needs varies across time and societies. Therefore, poverty lines vary in time and place, and each country uses lines which are appropriate to its level of development, societal norms and values.For details on methodology, see Measuring Poverty. For data see Data and Data Sources.

The World Bank uses reference lines for poverty worldwide set at $1.25 and $2 per day. Using improved price data from the latest (2005) round of the International Comparison Program, new poverty estimates released in August 2008 show that about 1.4 billion people in the developing world (one in four) were living on less than $1.25 a day in 2005, down from 1.9 billion (one in two) in 1981.

Poverty in East Asia—the world’s poorest region in 1981—has fallen from nearly 80 percent of the population living on less than $1.25 a day in 1981 to 18 percent in 2005 (about 340 million), largely owing to dramatic progress in poverty reduction in China. The goal of halving extreme poverty between 1990 and 2015 has already been achieved in East Asia.
Between 1981 and 2005, the number of people in poverty has fallen by around 600 million in China alone. In the developing world outside China, the poverty rate has fallen from 40 to 29 percent over 1981-2005, although the total number of poor has remained unchanged at around 1.2 billion.
$1.25 a day poverty rate in South Asia has also fallen, from 60 percent to 40 percent over 1981-2005, but this has not been enough to bring down the region’s total number of poor, which stood at about 600 million in 2005.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, the $1.25 a day poverty rate has shown no sustained decline over the whole period since 1981, starting and ending at around 50 percent. In absolute terms, the number of poor people has nearly doubled, from 200 million in 1981 to 380 million in 2005. However, there have been signs of recent progress; the poverty rate fell from 58% in 1996 to 50% in 2005.
In middle-income countries, the median poverty line for the developing world—$2 a day in 2005 prices—is more relevant. By this standard, the poverty rate has fallen since 1981 in Latin America and the Middle East & North Africa, but not enough to reduce the total number of poor.
The $2 a day poverty rate has risen in Eastern Europe and Central Asia since 1981, though with signs of progress since the late 1990s.