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.

Pics from Sapporo

Sapporo TV Tower in Odori Park, Sapporo

Odori Park, Sapporo

My Bedroom (as you can see, I'm getting nice and "settled")

My Kitchen/Living Room/Dining Room (more proof of "settling")

View from Apartment

Park in Chitose, Hokkaido (outside of Sapporo)

Park in Chitose, Hokkaido

 

 

 

 

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.