The journey South was hot and extremely humid but, surprisingly, I appeared to be quite fresh in my now three-day old unchanged clothes. It was around six in the evening when we arrived at our destination – a major steel works. I was due to start my first lectures the following morning so decided to spy out the land before turning in for the night. What I did not know was that there was to be a grand opening of a new education training centre by the president of the company the following morning. I was not allowed to be in attendance at this particular occasion but was asked before leaving to programme a robot, supplied by my company, to make a presentation of a book to the president. I had no instruction manual to refer too but thanks to help from the Lord, the robot was suitably programmed, and staff trained before leaving for a welcome evening meal. This was a particularly tense time because the possibility of failure on such an important occasion was quite unthinkable, more especially so as I would not be present to sort out any problems which might occur.
Fortunately, all went well with the presentation, and I commenced my routine of delivering lectures, together with practical sessions, for up to eight hours daily to a group of very keen professional engineers. Remember I had no lecture notes or support material and was teaching in a foreign country with the aid of an interpreter for the first time ever!
During the course of the next few days communications were taking place as to the whereabouts of my personal belongings and lecture material. I was still wearing the same clothes that I had left England in. Although I could have asked the hotel to launder them, this seemed to me to be a rather risky undertaking since the hotel was a downtown commercial one in a provincial town and quite unlike my plush Seoul hotel. Anyway, had not the Lord sealed up my sweat glands! And so, they were! In spite of the very hot and humid weather my clothes stayed remarkably quite fresh!
At last, news was received to the effect that my long-awaited belongings had been located. I was instructed to go to the public bus station, give my passport to the conductor of a bus going to Seoul and my belongings would be dispatched, again by public transport, the following day. Once again my faith was being tested and the last thing, I wished to do was relinquish my passport. I confess I vacillated for some time over this issue but finally, after much persuasion from my escort and reassurance that this was quite normal, I gave in – I simply had to trust the Lord.
My belongings did arrive intact, including my precious passport. Imagine, eight days without a change of clothes in a hot and steamy environment and still as fresh as the day they were first put on!
It was already evening when I returned to my hotel from the bus station. A quick shower taken and change of clothes amid much rejoicing. I had arranged to meet my travel escort in the hotel lobby which I did sporting the largest grin imaginable. Within ten minutes the flood gates suddenly opened, and I was soaked from head to foot!
You may remember that when arriving in Korea my Seoul hotel had for some apparently unaccountable reason been changed. Later when departing, I found out that the original hotel did not have Gideon Bibles in their rooms. A small detail one might think, even a coincidence, but obviously not to the Lord and neither was it to me.
Teaching was interesting and rewarding in that the only control I had was over the curriculum. The ‘students’ were like sponges and very disciplined, time keeping down to the second regardless of where I may have been in my lecture. At break-time, ten minutes were allowed precisely, and soya milk seemed to be compulsory, even I quickly came to expect and enjoy the latter! I was not left alone even for a second being constantly plied with questions about England, my home life, my engineering experience and qualifications. I must have presented myself very well since eventually I was invited to take lunch in one of the canteens, of which there were many based strictly upon a hierarchy of status within the company, reserved for top executives. The silver service, starched white tablecloths, impeccably dressed waiters, not to mention the variety of well-presented food could not be faulted, nevertheless I was asked numerous questions about British table etiquette, the best universities to attend and even which ‘Blue’ would be more advantageous for company advancement.