Thoughts of the trip from my Aunt

Here I am a 1/2 a world away in a country where almost everyone looks different than I, language is not my language and even the written words are unrecognizable. It is an interesting experience listening to someone speak and not understand what they're saying until someone interprets it for us. It is interesting to see the effects of war in a divided country some 50 years after a cease fire. Barbed wire along the freeway as we travel north to Ilsan today-closer to the DMZ and North Korea. Farming vegetables in greenhouses. Stories of families divided. Onto our destination-Holt Ilsan Center to host the Christmas party for the residents. An oasis of love between Seoul and North Korea for special needs children and adults. We bring them Christmas, but the gift they give us is so much more. The first stop we made is to the administrative building. Can you imagine my surprise when I see a group of women wearing yellow vests that say Korean Red Cross! Kim-it's a Kodak moment! They are one of many volunteer groups that come to hep with occupational therapy or lend a hand wherever they can once a month. How providential is that! Kim tells me that she has never encountered the Red Cross here on any of her prior 3 visits!

I hear people in our group say Ilsan is a magical place. I understand. If you look and listen with your heart, you see a place teeming with dedication to creating a loving home environment and family. The residents help each other and dedicated staff help each resident achieve their highest level of functioning. We separate up into 2 groups and staff have 'Santa bags' for each of us to deliver. Our shoes come off at the door and the residents are excitedly awaiting their presents. My turn finally comes. I have been coached on Korean etiquette and I remember how to present a gift! Would you believe he Red Cross is present in the group I am selected to present to? The timing was random! The special event is yet to come! This day is something the residents look forward to all year. A party for everyone in the gym with Santa!

There is a Christian group that uses traditional Korean instruments to play Christmas carols. The tune is the same but the words-in Korean! We have someone at our table to translate. Our turn to sing! Our group, led by Addi and Hannah, perform Jingle Bells in English!

We also have the opportunity to give special presents to special residents. I was able to present a bowling set to a resident. He was shaking he was so excited and happy! What fun and what memories!

Other memorable moments occurred yesterday at the luncheon to recognize and honor the foster mothers and after that walking over to the Holt Reception Center to play with the babies! I was able to feed cereal to an older baby and then hold one of the younger ones. He got tagged with the nickname 'little Elvis' thanks to his hairdo! What a sweetie!

The exciting news we here today-4 babies will be meeting their new American families before Christmas with us as their escorts! More baby time! More bubble up time I'm sure! Kathy-you know what I mean! It is an amazing experience overall. One that will take awhile to process. Many memories to hold in my heart.