A Shining Jewel

by
published on 02/27/08
categories: Comfort   Grace   Life   Testimonies  

I smelled the land, the people and air. I tasted the people’s breath; I saw the world they lived in. I listened to my story in the land she walked. She left me abandoned on a highway, moments after birth, 2-3 hours north east of Seoul- in a city that is claimed to be a vacation spot for locals. Her hopes that an angel finds me and brings me home. I also hear Pyung Chang is near a beautiful mountain but also near the border of the North. Not many people live up there but somehow; this was my 2nd womb.

I used to laugh at this story growing up. I never cared about it- the reality of these things. I only knew life here- in the States, learning to live like everyone else. I had everything I could want and more. I didn’t know what pain like that meant- I scoffed at the Korean Adoptee who had issues with finding their beginnings and these iconic “mothers” who could complete their broken life. I said, “Jesus and God could fix it all…” because that is what I was raised to believe and know. I am not saying this isn’t true; however, what people fail to teach you is that the road to feeling this peace and comfort is paved with human nature and humility. Finding God in this situation is just as hard as finding the birth mom.

So, I lost myself in Korea somewhere- between Korean Soju, the food and women walking around in beautiful outfits. I lost my ability to remember who I was in America and decided to leave all it on my passport when I went to Korea. I think I did this on purpose so that I could tell myself that I at least lived somewhere in the truth of what I never knew. Maybe I did it to take revenge on something? Someone to blame? But it always comes back to self. I didn’t take pride in who I was raised to be already. This supposed American. A Christian wife and mother who had a lifetime of experiences to share and teach. Sure, I feel completely ashamed of this now- because of the repercussions it reaps but why was it just as equally important to want to feel like what it would have been JUST to be like one of them; without knowing what I’m “SUPPOSE” to do based on a life that was already made? 

Page 2 of 4 pages for this story  <  1 2 3 4 >

Robyn Afrik is a life long resident of Holland. Growing up, she attended Holland Christian High School, studied Social work and business as her undergraduate studies at Valparaiso University and Cornerstone University. She is in the process of attaining her MSW at Grand Valley State University and is a national certified Global Career Development facilitator endorsed by the National Career Development Association, the National Employment Counseling Association and the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals. Robyn is an active member on the LEDA board, is the treasurer on the executive board for 70 X 7 life recovery and serves on the board of Buen Pastor. Robyn has traveled and lived in Senegal, W. Africa, Seoul, Korea and enjoys speaking for diversity forums such as the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic harmony and served as the 2007 keynote speaker for Calling all Colors. Currently she is raising a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic family in Holland, enjoys writing, challenging status quo and community collaboration.


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"I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord." Psalm 118:17