Discipleship Group

This quarter at school I am leading a discipleship group for guys who are on a sport's team and want to improve their leadership among their teammates. It focuses on younger players who want to make strides to becoming a leader and I am really enjoying the discussions and hearing their struggles and fears on the team.

We are going through John Maxwell's workbook, Laws of Teamwork which has been very applicable to athletes. Please keep our group in prayer as we continue to learn and be challenged.

'11 DEC: Brother Engaged

We flew to Hawaii for our winter break and enjoyed times with family there for both Christmas and New Year’s. Some of the highlights during our stay were the engagement of Malia’s brother Jon and a Rhoades family vacation in Waikiki. The kids loved playing with their cousins and experiencing the sand and waves at the beaches.

Upon returning to Seoul, we jumped back into our schedules and packed our weekends with family outings into the chilled city. Mika and Coby are playing more and more together, the snow is beginning to fall, and we’re eager for this new year and the coming of our third baby in June!

Volleyball Season

August-October 2011

This is our second season coaching varsity girls' volleyball together. Mark leads as the head coach, Malia is assistant coach, and the kids are mascots. Tryouts were held in August, and the season stretched to the last week of October, culminating in a two-day tournament on the 28th and 29th.

Our team was smaller this year with just 10 girls: Jessi, Sarah W., Essie, JeeHyun, Joelle, Yuriko, Sarah K., Sally, Suyoung, and Hyerin. These girls were our primary focus this fall season as we invested time into preparation, practices, and games. We've loved leading them in this sport and challenging them to be excellent and disciplined in all areas of their lives.

We finished our season in second place, after having record-breaking wins against larger rival schools. At the end of our KAIAC tournament on the 29th, we came in third place. We are so proud of our team for how they've worked together, grown stronger and more strategic, and encouraged each other through victories and difficulties.

You are welcome to see our page on Mark's sport's website, YISSPN.
The team also has an introductory video, which Mark helped produce, that you can see here.

2 Hawaii Celebrations

July & September 2011

We were blessed to take two trips to Oahu within a few months of each other. Each trip was to celebrate a different occasion, and we are thankful we were able to be there for Malia's grandmother's 90th birthday and her older brother's wedding.

For the birthday party, the two of us worked together to produce a slide show in her honor. If you'd like to view it, you're welcome to click on this link and see it: http://bit.ly/happy90. Malia's grandmother, Tereza Baniaga, has such a legacy of hard work and devotion. We are honored to carry on her heritage and to receive her wisdom as a spiritual inheritance.

Mark with Malia's 2 brothers: Chris and  Jon

Malia's brother Chris got married on September 10. Our family was able to fly us back for the event, and we are forever grateful that we could participate in such a God-centered and covenant-focused ceremony. His new bride, Mel, has been a family friend for over a decade. We're thrilled to have her now as a sister.

Our Thailand Summer

June 2011

During June, we spent time visiting friends in Bangkok. It was such a beautiful, restful month when we could bond together as a family. Our generous friends let us stay in their apartment, which is in the same complex where we used to live. Therefore, we were close to those we love and miss.

An added bonus was that many of our students from ICS were home for the summer and were able to visit us. Usually, we travel to Thailand during the school year (for a fall break or spring break), and many of our students who have graduated attend colleges in the UK, USA, Australia, Singapore, and Canada. What fun to reunite with these young men and women and hear how they're transitioning to independent adult life through their college scenes. 

Of course, we visited our church, Newsong, and were blessed to see them continuing their bilingual services and outreaches to the slum community with whom we were once involved. We also attended church at Nonthaburi Baptist, which is where Mark served as a summer missionary in 2002. Our friends from college, Solomon and Angi, graciously hosted us for a day of reconnecting and rest.


Some fun new places we saw were Safari World and an excellent, kid-friendly beach in Hua Hin. Mika had her first horseback riding lesson on a horse named Nemo. We are so thankful for our friends in Bangkok for their welcome and encouragement. What a blessing to have a home there too.