Hello everyone! Thanks for your patience concerning the blog. I know we probably haven't updated as often as you wished. But here we are. Updating!! So news.
Here in Shingu...
we run three different English cafe's. One in the morning for retiree's and housewives. One in the afternoon for school-age children and one in the evening for business men and women. The one in the morning and evening are for adults so we talk about their life, what they like to do and help them with any English grammar or vocabulary questions if they have any. The kid's cafe in the afternoon is actually called Kids Church English Club. I plan activities for the children in English and I teach them basic English principles like the alphabet, how to introduce yourself and yesterday we went over basic short vowel sounds, Below there's a picture
We had 10 children come to our club yesterday. Which is the most we've had so far! We were very excited about that. And normally it starts at 3pm and goes until 5pm but we had children show up early and stay until about 6:40! They were having so much fun playing with us!
This might not come as a surprise for you but this really is a huge win for God. Out here, in Japan, a lot of people worship many different gods and have religions that blend together, Christianity and the church is not well known or well liked. People are generally skeptical of Christians and their motives. And it's not because of the normal issues we have in America but rather they think that Christianity is a kind of extremist cult that's dangerous to society. So, we have a lot of barriers to break down here and this was our first major step.
This might not come as a surprise for you but this really is a huge win for God. Out here, in Japan, a lot of people worship many different gods and have religions that blend together, Christianity and the church is not well known or well liked. People are generally skeptical of Christians and their motives. And it's not because of the normal issues we have in America but rather they think that Christianity is a kind of extremist cult that's dangerous to society. So, we have a lot of barriers to break down here and this was our first major step.
In the morning and evenings we average about 3 to 5 people. These small groups are great because Kinoshitasensei, Joe and I have more opportunities to talk about spiritual things, coming to church and our personal life stories. In Japan, from what we've found out, the most important thing to do if you want to evangelize is make connected relationships with people you meet. We've been in Shingu for about three weeks and we can already see how relationships can deeply impact your ministry.
Which brings me to another amazing update. Joe and I are also involved with the Boys and Girls high school basketball teams. Each week we suit up for practices and participate in their scrimmages with them. We're hoping to invite them to an English party at the end of our trip where they can come, speak English with us, learn about college, America and hopefully the Creator.
Which brings me to another amazing update. Joe and I are also involved with the Boys and Girls high school basketball teams. Each week we suit up for practices and participate in their scrimmages with them. We're hoping to invite them to an English party at the end of our trip where they can come, speak English with us, learn about college, America and hopefully the Creator.
Some other cool cultural happenings and what not...
Each week Joe and I go to a church members house for lunch or they bring us lunch at the church. We cannot express how grateful we are for them and their food. Most of the time everything is homemade and beautifully packaged.
Some of you, who know me well, are probably asking yourself how I (Felicia) handle the fish. Because well, I don't eat fish. Earlier this week I expressed to Joe that I have probably eaten every type of fish in the ocean since I've been here (I know it's a gross exaggeration) and I still don't like fish. Like I said before everything, including the fish LOOKS amazing, but that's as far as I get with it. My palette just isn't atuned to eating fish everyday. Needless to say I eat it, every single time. It's been a wonderful cultural experience. Joe on the other hand still craves sushi.
We also manage to go sightseeing. We visited 3 different types of hot springs. One was like a roman bathhouse (yes you are naked). The second was actually a river and when you dug into the banks you could section off a bit of the water with rocks and the earth would heat up your water. Sometimes it was so hot that you had to take your feet out of it and put them into the main river water. And the last one we went to was a hot spring that was so hot you could cook vegetables and eggs in it! So, we had to do it. And it was amazing!
Below are some pictures:
Each week Joe and I go to a church members house for lunch or they bring us lunch at the church. We cannot express how grateful we are for them and their food. Most of the time everything is homemade and beautifully packaged.
Some of you, who know me well, are probably asking yourself how I (Felicia) handle the fish. Because well, I don't eat fish. Earlier this week I expressed to Joe that I have probably eaten every type of fish in the ocean since I've been here (I know it's a gross exaggeration) and I still don't like fish. Like I said before everything, including the fish LOOKS amazing, but that's as far as I get with it. My palette just isn't atuned to eating fish everyday. Needless to say I eat it, every single time. It's been a wonderful cultural experience. Joe on the other hand still craves sushi.
We also manage to go sightseeing. We visited 3 different types of hot springs. One was like a roman bathhouse (yes you are naked). The second was actually a river and when you dug into the banks you could section off a bit of the water with rocks and the earth would heat up your water. Sometimes it was so hot that you had to take your feet out of it and put them into the main river water. And the last one we went to was a hot spring that was so hot you could cook vegetables and eggs in it! So, we had to do it. And it was amazing!
Below are some pictures:
In addition to this we went to go see the ocean as the typhoon was coming in. And saw some sea turtles and other local reptiles.
Shingu Church has big plans for us these next two weeks. We are hosting a One Day Camp for elementary school children and preaching on our experiences in Japan as well as continuing our basketball ministry and English Cafe's.
Shingu Church has big plans for us these next two weeks. We are hosting a One Day Camp for elementary school children and preaching on our experiences in Japan as well as continuing our basketball ministry and English Cafe's.
Next Steps!
After Shingu, we will visit our friend Koki. He lives in Kyoto. He actually helped with supporting our trip to come here. We are beyond excited to spend some quality time with him in Kyoto. Then we will head back to Tokyo where we will spend three days with Fukuisensei's Tamagawa church on a Youth Retreat. We are guest speakers there and we will preach on how to come out of your shell as a Christian.
Then....Home. Can you believe it!
Then....Home. Can you believe it!
A little reflection..
Joe and I had some free time to reflect on things the other day. Japan has stretched us in many ways. We were able to see how God was challenging us in our own faith as we try to minister to people. What we've come to notice is that God works despite your hesitation. Every single day Joe and I wake up and we feel like we can't do it. We constantly feel like our own worst enemy. In the morning we pray for God to bring lots of people to us and then by the time our ministry comes around we find ourselves praying that no one come. Every day has been a challenge and we have to keep reminding ourselves that God wants us here to do work. We are tired and exhausted at the end of everyday. No matter how much or how little we do. Then we go to bed and pray to God for strength and we ask him to listen to what our spirit wants and not what our earthly bodies want. We have truly enjoyed every single minute here in Japan. And we're grateful for everyone's love and support they've given us. Thank you.
Below you'll see more pictures of our adventures here. Enjoy!
Below you'll see more pictures of our adventures here. Enjoy!