Frequently Asked Questions

No need for alarm, my imaginary audience!  I am alive and well!

Having said that, I am technically unemployed and homeless.  On that note, who'd like to date me and be my girlfriend?

Actually, you really don't have to worry about me.  I have a plan up my sleeve, though I should clarify that this plan of mine only addresses my situation related to my employment and housing and does NOT apply to finding a potentially suitable mate.  That's a whole separate topic that I don't have a clue about.  However, I have a strong hunch that step one should be to stop referring to girls as "potentially suitable mates".

Anyway, when I explain this plan of mine to others, I've found that there are certain questions that everyone always asks of me - certain questions that always pop up because my friends are unoriginal.  So I'll answer those questions here.

FAQ 1) What are you going to be doing?

I plan to spend 14 months in Asia.  I will spend 12 months living in and traveling throughout Korea (South, not North) to experience the culture, play, and hopefully improve my ability to speak Korean.  I will spend an additional two months backpacking through eight other countries in Asia (one week per country).

FAQ 2) Why are you doing this?  Do you need a break from youth ministry?

I am not burnt out.  I do not need a break from youth ministry, nor am I having a crisis of faith.  I love doing youth ministry and I could do it forever.  In fact, I already miss it and I can't wait to jump back in!

But I believe that youth ministry at my former church is a door that God has closed.  And if that's what He has decided to do, who am I to argue with God?

So I have decided to make the most of this closed door (or, open door?).  You see, I've always wanted to travel and to do all the things that I'm planning on doing.  I simply didn't have the opportunity in the past, but now I do.  I'm pretty much free right now to do as I please.  After all, I'm not married (sniff), I don't have kids, I don't have a mortgage, I'm not in school or working, and I am not in credit card debt. Opportunity is here and I plan to make the most of it and live recklessly rather than regret not doing something like this.  And I can't wait!

FAQ 3) You sound so excited!  But aren't you scared?

I will be traveling alone.  But no, I am not scared.

And yes, I am incredibly excited and thankful for this opportunity!  However, I love my life in Southern California, and I am extremely sad to be leaving everything and everyone behind for such a long period of time... especially my youth students at my former church.




FAQ 4) How are you paying for this?

Ministry isn't the highest-paying profession (I went in for the power, duh).  Still, I consider myself fairly low-maintenance and so I was able to save a good chunk of cash money over the years.  That's what I'll be living off of for the next several months.  But I'm also planning to work in Korea (teaching English?) to generate extra income.

FAQ 5) Will you go back into youth ministry in Southern California once your trip ends?

I'd be cool with that.  But I have a feeling that God has me on the move for a reason that's not entirely clear to me as of yet.  We'll see...

FAQ 6) Are you going to try to find a girl in Korea to marry?

Yes.

If you have any other questions, feel free to leave a comment, call, text, IM, FB, Kakao, etc.!