Recently in my Japanese class, we've learned how to say things like "before I go to sleep, I take a shower," or "before I leave the house, I put on pants," or "before I eat dinner, I pray," etc...
During the "review the chapter" time today, the teacher asked me (knowing that I'm a Christian and a missionary, and knowing full well what my answer was going to be) what I do before eating. So I went ahead and gave the answer I'd given before..."shokujino maeni, inori o shimasu" (before a meal, I pray). Nothing new...until the teacher said she wanted to hear what praying before a meal sounds like, and asked me to say something.
Neat! So, I gave thanks for the food and the hands that prepared it, and asked God to bless it to our bodies, and our bodies to His service. And then...I turned it around and did it in Japanese. Bam! Double neat! It wasn't perfect, and I couldn't get the 'blessing our bodies to His service' part, but I got most of it out. Neat!
Everyday, there's a reason to do some 'Tebowing'!!!
December 14, 2011
December 1, 2011
November 7, 2011
Adventures in Sunday School.......in 日本語!!!
I had my first opportunity to teach Jr. High Sunday School this past Sunday!!!
...slight tangent... Since coming to Japan in May, this is my first experience attending a "traditional" church in Japan. Through Living Hope Baptist Church, I'm getting opportunities to be a part of ministry that I'm more familiar with (like Jr. High Sunday School, Bible Study/Prayer Meetings, and Fellowship Time with church members) and it's been really exciting! ...end tangent...
Ok...so...I had my first opportunity to teach Jr. High Sunday School this past Sunday!!! During the week, I was really excited, but was also kinda nervous about it, as one question seemed to loom over me....should I play it safe and do it in English, or go big and try for Japanese??? I went back and forth during the week, excited for the opportunity to really go for it, but fearful of what seemed like an imminent "fail."
The week seemed busier than normal, and it flew by. Next thing I knew, it was Friday. I had a solid outline and some questions down on paper, but I still needed to write out everything I wanted to say in simpler English to help the teacher who would be translating for me. Not in enough time for me to get it into Japanese...so I thought. The other teacher and I found time Saturday afternoon to meet and she worked (struggled/agonized/labored) with me to get all the things I wanted to say translated!!! I was gonna go for it!!! I spent Saturday night practicing, but there were still a lot of kinks. I knew it wasn't going to be pretty (and definitely not traditional Sunday School style), but I was hoping to gut out a win out of sheer will and determination.......
Game day rolled around and we got off to a pretty good start. I was able to rely on the other teachers a lot when I wanted to ask or say something that wasn't in my "playbook," but for the most part, I was able to keep to what was scripted in the game plan. There were definitely some fumbling of words, and it wasn't always pretty, but we gutted it out. In the end, the youth said that my slow Japanese helped them to understand what we were teaching, so I'd say we can chalk one up in the win column ;)
Ray may have been Tebowing after, but having someone take a pic of it might have been a little difficult to explain...
Ray may be missing football just a little bit.....
...slight tangent... Since coming to Japan in May, this is my first experience attending a "traditional" church in Japan. Through Living Hope Baptist Church, I'm getting opportunities to be a part of ministry that I'm more familiar with (like Jr. High Sunday School, Bible Study/Prayer Meetings, and Fellowship Time with church members) and it's been really exciting! ...end tangent...
Ok...so...I had my first opportunity to teach Jr. High Sunday School this past Sunday!!! During the week, I was really excited, but was also kinda nervous about it, as one question seemed to loom over me....should I play it safe and do it in English, or go big and try for Japanese??? I went back and forth during the week, excited for the opportunity to really go for it, but fearful of what seemed like an imminent "fail."
The week seemed busier than normal, and it flew by. Next thing I knew, it was Friday. I had a solid outline and some questions down on paper, but I still needed to write out everything I wanted to say in simpler English to help the teacher who would be translating for me. Not in enough time for me to get it into Japanese...so I thought. The other teacher and I found time Saturday afternoon to meet and she worked (struggled/agonized/labored) with me to get all the things I wanted to say translated!!! I was gonna go for it!!! I spent Saturday night practicing, but there were still a lot of kinks. I knew it wasn't going to be pretty (and definitely not traditional Sunday School style), but I was hoping to gut out a win out of sheer will and determination.......
Game day rolled around and we got off to a pretty good start. I was able to rely on the other teachers a lot when I wanted to ask or say something that wasn't in my "playbook," but for the most part, I was able to keep to what was scripted in the game plan. There were definitely some fumbling of words, and it wasn't always pretty, but we gutted it out. In the end, the youth said that my slow Japanese helped them to understand what we were teaching, so I'd say we can chalk one up in the win column ;)
Ray may have been Tebowing after, but having someone take a pic of it might have been a little difficult to explain...
Ray may be missing football just a little bit.....
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| The Teachers |
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| The Students (minus 1) |
October 26, 2011
札幌市国際日本語学院 (Japanese Language Institute)
The student body, maybe 100 students, is mostly Asian (Chinese, Korean, Thai, Malay), some European, and not even a handful of North Americans (I think there may be another American and a Canadian…maybe…). The school holds classes all day, with more advanced classes meeting in the morning and my beginner classes in the afternoons. There are about 7 teachers at the school, of which, 5 cycle through my class. It’s nice having a variety of teachers to help mix things up a it. Classes are split up into four 45 minute blocks, separated by two 5 minute and a 15 minute break. Each day, we do things to work on listening, speaking, writing, and reading. It's been good so far, and hopefully keeps getting better.
Aside from language, it's been interesting to meet the other students. Back home, most of us don't really have the desire to learn language(s) for "fun" or to live outside the States. Not really the case here (obviously, as they're in Japan learning Japanese), but it's been interesting hearing that they like and want to learn to speak different languages.
October 22, 2011
Pics from Sapporo
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| Sapporo TV Tower in Odori Park, Sapporo |
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| Odori Park, Sapporo |
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| My Bedroom (as you can see, I'm getting nice and "settled") |
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| My Kitchen/Living Room/Dining Room (more proof of "settling") |
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| View from Apartment |
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| Park in Chitose, Hokkaido (outside of Sapporo) |
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| Park in Chitose, Hokkaido |
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| Lake Shikotsu, Chitose |
Settling in Sapporo
It's been 4 weeks now since I moved to Sapporo, and things have been great. Language school is going well, I've been able to unpack and am no longer living out of suitcases, and God's been opening up some really cool ministry opportunities.
I've been in language school (札幌市国際日本語学院 Japanese Language Institute) for 3 weeks now. It feels a little different being in "school" again, but I'm liking it alright and it's providing me much needed structure and consistency. The stuff we're doing isn't really new to me, but we're moving at a quick pace, which is good...for now. Even with classes M-F afternoons, I'll have to change my mentality towards learning Japanese and constantly push myself to use it...even if it means suffering through feeling pretty useless and really stupid ;).
My living situation here has been amazing!!! Being unpacked is nice, but having my own personal space is even better!!! I basically have a studio apartment on the 3rd floor of the church （Living Hope Baptist Church リビングホープ バプテスト教会), with pretty much everything I need. The pastors' family lives in another apartment here on the 3rd floor, and it's been great getting to know them.
Ministry-wise, God's been opening up some cool opportunities here. My focus here in Sapporo is learning Japanese, but I've been seeking ways to do that in ministry as well. At church, I've been asked to help out with Youth Sunday School (right now Jr. High), and will teach my first class on November 6th!!! I've also started a weekly fellowship on Friday nights here at the church. It's for the two Youth Sunday School teachers to talk about Sunday School material and fellowship with each other. Beyond that, we're hoping it serves as a chance for them to invite their friends/coworkers to church in more of a social setting.
Things in Sapporo have been great so far, and I'm settling in well. Please pray that I'll stay focused and driven in learning Japanese and that I'll jump on the ministry opportunities that arise.
I've been in language school (札幌市国際日本語学院 Japanese Language Institute) for 3 weeks now. It feels a little different being in "school" again, but I'm liking it alright and it's providing me much needed structure and consistency. The stuff we're doing isn't really new to me, but we're moving at a quick pace, which is good...for now. Even with classes M-F afternoons, I'll have to change my mentality towards learning Japanese and constantly push myself to use it...even if it means suffering through feeling pretty useless and really stupid ;).
My living situation here has been amazing!!! Being unpacked is nice, but having my own personal space is even better!!! I basically have a studio apartment on the 3rd floor of the church （Living Hope Baptist Church リビングホープ バプテスト教会), with pretty much everything I need. The pastors' family lives in another apartment here on the 3rd floor, and it's been great getting to know them.
Ministry-wise, God's been opening up some cool opportunities here. My focus here in Sapporo is learning Japanese, but I've been seeking ways to do that in ministry as well. At church, I've been asked to help out with Youth Sunday School (right now Jr. High), and will teach my first class on November 6th!!! I've also started a weekly fellowship on Friday nights here at the church. It's for the two Youth Sunday School teachers to talk about Sunday School material and fellowship with each other. Beyond that, we're hoping it serves as a chance for them to invite their friends/coworkers to church in more of a social setting.
Things in Sapporo have been great so far, and I'm settling in well. Please pray that I'll stay focused and driven in learning Japanese and that I'll jump on the ministry opportunities that arise.
September 21, 2011
Language School in Hokkaido!!!
Final details came together last week while I was doing relief work in Ishinomaki for language school in Hokkaido. I will leave for Hokkaido on Monday right after the retreat we have this weekend (starting later this afternoon). Things have been pretty hectic and unsettling this past week, as details have come together and plans finalized, but at least we've got progress!!! Orientation is next Thursday and classes start the following Monday.
I'm definitely excited to start language school and to start establishing a greater level of competence i this country. It's definitely funny at times, but I'd definitely prefer to not go about living in this country as a Kindergartener (if even that) ;).
It's another real short blurb, but I'll be off to the retreat soon, then to Hokkaido soon after to hit the books hard...and the ski hills harder!!!
I'm definitely excited to start language school and to start establishing a greater level of competence i this country. It's definitely funny at times, but I'd definitely prefer to not go about living in this country as a Kindergartener (if even that) ;).
It's another real short blurb, but I'll be off to the retreat soon, then to Hokkaido soon after to hit the books hard...and the ski hills harder!!!
September 10, 2011
Shedding Light on a (more) Solid Direction
So..it's been a bit more of a struggle, as of late, dealing with the uncertainty of my future here in Japan and what the rest (the bulk) of the ministry is going to look like. When I first arrived in Japan, I came with none of my own expectations, just that God was going to lead and that I'd simply follow. Having only a very basic understanding of Japan, it was much easier to step back and just allow things to happen. But as I experienced fruits of the relief work in Ishinomaki, I thought about different opportunities and possibilities for ministry, making it harder to wait and be open to going wherever He wants me.
During this past week, God shed some light on the future, and there is a pretty solid direction for us to grab onto. Things are definitely not set in stone, and there are still a lot of details that need to be ironed out, but the direction would be to enroll in a language school through the end of the year, starting in October, while my placement gets ironed out. The direction for placement would be a church in Tohoku. The new network kicked off this past week and some churches are "ready" to take on a missionary, but other A2 missionaries aren't ready to move there quite yet, and it really wouldn't be best for me to be there without the support of a regional team. With this, we are hopeful to form a team by the beginning of next year, which opens up the opportunity for me to attend language school in the meantime.
Before starting language school in October, I have one more opportunity to return to Ishinomaki for 10 days. I'm excited for this time and am excited to see the continued improvements and the people we've built relationships with. Please pray that the time in Ishinomaki would be fruitful, that we'd have opportunities to share God's love with those hurting and in desperate need of it.
Please pray that with this direction, God would iron out the details and specifics for when and where it takes place. Pray for knowledge and guidance for everyone involved in the decision making. That we'd seek and see His guidance, and that we'd be faithful in following whatever He has in store for us (me, A2's mission in Japan, and Japan in general).
During this past week, God shed some light on the future, and there is a pretty solid direction for us to grab onto. Things are definitely not set in stone, and there are still a lot of details that need to be ironed out, but the direction would be to enroll in a language school through the end of the year, starting in October, while my placement gets ironed out. The direction for placement would be a church in Tohoku. The new network kicked off this past week and some churches are "ready" to take on a missionary, but other A2 missionaries aren't ready to move there quite yet, and it really wouldn't be best for me to be there without the support of a regional team. With this, we are hopeful to form a team by the beginning of next year, which opens up the opportunity for me to attend language school in the meantime.
Before starting language school in October, I have one more opportunity to return to Ishinomaki for 10 days. I'm excited for this time and am excited to see the continued improvements and the people we've built relationships with. Please pray that the time in Ishinomaki would be fruitful, that we'd have opportunities to share God's love with those hurting and in desperate need of it.
Please pray that with this direction, God would iron out the details and specifics for when and where it takes place. Pray for knowledge and guidance for everyone involved in the decision making. That we'd seek and see His guidance, and that we'd be faithful in following whatever He has in store for us (me, A2's mission in Japan, and Japan in general).
August 2, 2011
July 20, 2011
My New Haircut
So, I decided to go get a haircut today. I'd been just shaving my head myself, but I wanted something different, so I went to a place to get it done...
1) The place is called "QB House," and on the sign it read "10 minutes Just Cut." Awesome!!!
1) The place is called "QB House," and on the sign it read "10 minutes Just Cut." Awesome!!!
2) As I walked in, I was greeted by someone who was already cutting someone's hair, and so he pointed to a vending machine near the entrance. On the vending machine, it said "10 minutes, 1,000¥." Double awesome!!!
3) I took my printed receipt to another guy who was gonna cut my hair, and then he asked how I wanted it cut....after a bit of fumbling with language, some hand gestures, and some blank stares of confusion, we were ready to go and he grabbed the clippers. A real good start!!! Still awesome....
4) He finished with the sides and back and moved towards the top, which I think we agreed he'd keep it similar to what it was, but to just make it shorter. I could keep describing it, but I think pics are just better at this point in time...
5) After he finished, he whipped out a vacuum cleaner and started going to town on my head. I hadn't had the feeling of a vacuum cleaner to the head in such a long time, so this was definitely a pleasant surprise!!! So awesome!!!!
So...one of the reasons I wanted to get my haircut somewhere and not shave my head was to look less like a punk kid, and a bit more "mature" (not sure if that's the right word, but "professional"is def not the right word). Anyways, I'm not sure this really accomplished that, but at least it'll be cooler with less hair...
July 18, 2011
Safely Back in Sanda
...so, apparently, "soon" can be a very relative thing...
It's been a busy (or crazy) and awesome 6 weeks, but I am now back safe and sound in Sanda. The last 4 weeks of the time in Tohoku were awesome, as we got to continue doing work and building relationships in the same communities we started in. There was a bit of a sad and empty feeling as we left last week, but we know that good work is continuing to be done up there, and it's "only" a 12 hour drive away ;).
There's too many stories and pics for a post here, so as I unwind and process, I'll work on a special relief edition of my newsletter. I look forward to sharing the awesome stories and experiences of the past 6 weeks with you all!!!
It's been a busy (or crazy) and awesome 6 weeks, but I am now back safe and sound in Sanda. The last 4 weeks of the time in Tohoku were awesome, as we got to continue doing work and building relationships in the same communities we started in. There was a bit of a sad and empty feeling as we left last week, but we know that good work is continuing to be done up there, and it's "only" a 12 hour drive away ;).
There's too many stories and pics for a post here, so as I unwind and process, I'll work on a special relief edition of my newsletter. I look forward to sharing the awesome stories and experiences of the past 6 weeks with you all!!!
June 19, 2011
Weeks 1-2 in Ishinomaki
So, we've just wrapped up the first 2 week chunk of the 6 week summer in Tohoku. The team members arrived safely and ready to go on June 1st. We stayed in Narita for a few days to go over some training materials and got to explore Tokyo on Friday.
We took the bullet train up from Narita to Sendai on Saturday, and after some bus and car rides, we got to the karate dojo where we are staying. The dojo has been a "base-camp" for volunteers coming through the Be One (a house church network based in Osaka) and A2 networks. It's been really cool interacting and working with the different volunteers coming up. Communal living has brought some challenges, but overall, it's been a really cool community to be a part of.
On Sunday (the 5th), our main focus was a BBQ in the "Be One neighborhood." Be One is renting and renovating a house in a neighborhood that was hit pretty hard by the tsunami in Ishinomaki. We have been holding BBQs in different neighborhoods in Ishinomaki, but it was really nice to have an event in this neighborhood where we are trying to plant ourselves. It was great to spend time with the neighbors as they came out to enjoy the hot dogs, BBQ chicken, and vegetables we grilled up.
We did another BBQ and drop (food and dry good distribution) on Monday in the neighborhood we had been to the previous weekend. Once again, it was great to see the families come out and see some kids running around with a soccer ball during the BBQ.
Over the next few days, we did some manual labor, trying to clean out a park and some yards, but our main goal was to prepare for a bigger kids event we were planning for on Saturday (the 11th). We wanted to focus less on the food, and more on just getting out and being able to provide the kids with stuff to do and play with.
The event that Saturday was awesome!!!! We held it in the park near the Be One house (and next to an apartment complex). We handed out new clothes, made onigiri (rice ball) lunches for the kids, had a crafts "table," and bought a bunch of toys (balls, rackets, paddles, frisbees, bubbles, etc...) for them to play with. It was so much fun and so great to see everyone having fun together!!!
Sunday got off to a special start as we had the first worship "service" at the Be One house in Ishinomaki. It was an awesome time of worship, sharing, and fellowship with the volunteer teams working hard up here.
More to come soon.............
We took the bullet train up from Narita to Sendai on Saturday, and after some bus and car rides, we got to the karate dojo where we are staying. The dojo has been a "base-camp" for volunteers coming through the Be One (a house church network based in Osaka) and A2 networks. It's been really cool interacting and working with the different volunteers coming up. Communal living has brought some challenges, but overall, it's been a really cool community to be a part of.
On Sunday (the 5th), our main focus was a BBQ in the "Be One neighborhood." Be One is renting and renovating a house in a neighborhood that was hit pretty hard by the tsunami in Ishinomaki. We have been holding BBQs in different neighborhoods in Ishinomaki, but it was really nice to have an event in this neighborhood where we are trying to plant ourselves. It was great to spend time with the neighbors as they came out to enjoy the hot dogs, BBQ chicken, and vegetables we grilled up.
We did another BBQ and drop (food and dry good distribution) on Monday in the neighborhood we had been to the previous weekend. Once again, it was great to see the families come out and see some kids running around with a soccer ball during the BBQ.
Over the next few days, we did some manual labor, trying to clean out a park and some yards, but our main goal was to prepare for a bigger kids event we were planning for on Saturday (the 11th). We wanted to focus less on the food, and more on just getting out and being able to provide the kids with stuff to do and play with.
The event that Saturday was awesome!!!! We held it in the park near the Be One house (and next to an apartment complex). We handed out new clothes, made onigiri (rice ball) lunches for the kids, had a crafts "table," and bought a bunch of toys (balls, rackets, paddles, frisbees, bubbles, etc...) for them to play with. It was so much fun and so great to see everyone having fun together!!!
Sunday got off to a special start as we had the first worship "service" at the Be One house in Ishinomaki. It was an awesome time of worship, sharing, and fellowship with the volunteer teams working hard up here.
More to come soon.............
June 6, 2011
May 19, 2011
Relief Work in Tohoku for the Weekend
I'm heading up to Tohoku (more specifically, Ishinomaki) for the weekend to help with some relief work. In addition to trying to clean up and clean out some houses, we'll be handing out goods and having BBQs in the community. For this trip, we had a full-size van fully-loaded with goods go up on Wednesday, and we're bringing up a completely packed mini-van tomorrow. And when I say "fully-loaded" and "completely packed," I really it...you can totally do the "Italian Job" tire measuring thing to see which one's riding low (although you could prob just look in the window to tell as well, as all you'll see is "stuff").
I'm really not sure what to expect. I've heard plenty of stories and sharing, but really just have no idea how I'm going to react to it all. It's encouraging to hear that things are "better," but what is "better" when it's relative to complete and total destruction? Anyways, I'm concentrating on what He's doing up there and how we can be a part of that. I'm don't what all He has in mind for this weekend, but in addition to being there to help, I'm hoping to get some sort of feel that will help in preparing for the summer teams coming in and the 6 weeks we will be spending up there.
Please pray that God opens my eyes to what I need to see, that He continues to do amazing God-sized things, that He strengthens and energizes us to get through the difficulties there, and that I can process all that I'm exposed to there.
I'm really not sure what to expect. I've heard plenty of stories and sharing, but really just have no idea how I'm going to react to it all. It's encouraging to hear that things are "better," but what is "better" when it's relative to complete and total destruction? Anyways, I'm concentrating on what He's doing up there and how we can be a part of that. I'm don't what all He has in mind for this weekend, but in addition to being there to help, I'm hoping to get some sort of feel that will help in preparing for the summer teams coming in and the 6 weeks we will be spending up there.
Please pray that God opens my eyes to what I need to see, that He continues to do amazing God-sized things, that He strengthens and energizes us to get through the difficulties there, and that I can process all that I'm exposed to there.
May 17, 2011
Kyoto Adventure
Some pics from hanging out in Kyoto for a day.....
Museum garden thing we walked by
Hawk!!!
Garden in Ginkaku-ji (Temple of the Silver Pavilion)
@ Ginkaku-ji
Someone's backyard....we think...
Torture chamber........
(For those interested and curious in trying out butt-washing toilets....don't!!! They're awkward, uncomfortable, really weird, quite violating, and def don't make you feel clean...)
Kyoto Tower at night
Cultural Plunge #1
Another day this week I was given a grocery list and walking directions, with the opportunity to go out in the community and accomplish some tasks. I was successful in bringing back some groceries for dinner that night, and I was able to order some lunch to feed myself...woohoo!!! I was able to use enough Japanese to ask and get what I needed...eventually, but also used it improperly enough to get some blanks stares, some "are you kidding me?!?!" looks, and some "why are you not understanding what I'm telling you?!?!?" looks.
Accomplishing the goals set out for me.......success!!!!
Spreading cheer to those around me............success!!!!
Accomplishing the goals set out for me.......success!!!!
Spreading cheer to those around me............success!!!!
Walking to the grocery store
The grocery store
Lunch!!!!
May 16, 2011
Paperwork & Logistics
It's been just about a week since I arrived here in Japan, and things are going really well so far. It's definitely been a solid chunk of "stuff" to do, but things are getting done, and things are definitely getting wet as I start jumping in...
The first day I was able to take care of logistical stuff...Alien Registration, National Health Insurance, Post Office/Bank Account. In the evening I even got to experience the relaxing and soothing goodness, that is the onsen. I'll leave it at that...you can look it up if you wanna ;)
The first day I was able to take care of logistical stuff...Alien Registration, National Health Insurance, Post Office/Bank Account. In the evening I even got to experience the relaxing and soothing goodness, that is the onsen. I'll leave it at that...you can look it up if you wanna ;)
Completed paperwork and a gift from the post office!!!
No picture of onsen cuz it's an onsen!!!
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