Well much has been put on hold as Kazumi is about 3 months pregnant. Because of the many changes ahead in the next few months we are not in a position to try new things. She will have to teach less at home and I will be taking over some of her classes. I continue to teach English Bible study classes at church and that is going well. I am thankful for the church I attend and a wonderful pastor. Tajimi Reformed Church and Pastor Ono have been a true blessing.
We have 78 students in our school at the house and I teach 3 days a week at a private junior high and high school. Along with that we are involved in our local church. We are thankful for God's many blessings.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
3 Summer English Bible Classes have started
Last week 3 summer English Bible classes started. In all about 20 students have joined. Many of the students are not Christians. We are studying basic English conversation for the first half of the hour and then the Romans Road/Four Spiritual Laws in the second half. Please keep these groups in your prayers.
Friday, July 24, 2009
A Case Of Pepsi and a Box of Jello Deserts
We have 3 different students that are very high end ADD. From each of these families we recently received a gift. From Daiki's mother we got a high end box of jello deserts.
From Try's sister we were given a case of Pepsi. Try is one of my favorites and is such a sweet little boy. Sadly his mother jumped off the bridge near our house and committed suicide when Try was a baby. From Riku's mother we were given a container of suckers to give to the other children in our school. The classes in which these children participate require Kazumi and I to teach together to handle everything. Most small cram schools like ours would not take such students or if they get in encourage them to quit. You see other students and mothers are also paying for lessons and fear that the presence of kids with learning issues takes from the attention their own children receive. But the three boys beyond their behavioral issues are just so sweet. After all who would not want an occasional case of Pepsi. They saw me drinking it one day and just bought me a case. I feel honored to have them as students.
From Try's sister we were given a case of Pepsi. Try is one of my favorites and is such a sweet little boy. Sadly his mother jumped off the bridge near our house and committed suicide when Try was a baby. From Riku's mother we were given a container of suckers to give to the other children in our school. The classes in which these children participate require Kazumi and I to teach together to handle everything. Most small cram schools like ours would not take such students or if they get in encourage them to quit. You see other students and mothers are also paying for lessons and fear that the presence of kids with learning issues takes from the attention their own children receive. But the three boys beyond their behavioral issues are just so sweet. After all who would not want an occasional case of Pepsi. They saw me drinking it one day and just bought me a case. I feel honored to have them as students.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Three English Bible Studies to begin in August
After a lot of networking and help from everyone involved; this coming August we will be starting 3 English Bible studies at Tajimi Reformed Church. The application to a missionary agency is moving forward also. This past week was the end of the Japanese school year and it is now summer vacation as of today.
Please continue to keep us your prayers. We praise God for the progress we see even though at times it is small.
Please continue to keep us your prayers. We praise God for the progress we see even though at times it is small.
Monday, May 25, 2009
What I listen to....
I listen mostly to jradio.net Jradio.net is an online Christian Japanese music play list. Most school days while I am at my desk I have one earphone plug in listening to Japanese Gospel Music. I especially like the Okinawain style of music.
In Japan, religious organizations are not allowed to own radio or TV stations so there is no such thing as Christian Radio except for the emergence of the internet. So far jradio.net is the only station I have found. It is based in Australia and amazing enough there are optional worship services to listen to and the churches broadcast are ones that Kazumi is familiar with.
The Back to God hour Japan and other sites have many things to listen to on demand but have not put them into a playlist for a radio format type of listening.
In Japan, religious organizations are not allowed to own radio or TV stations so there is no such thing as Christian Radio except for the emergence of the internet. So far jradio.net is the only station I have found. It is based in Australia and amazing enough there are optional worship services to listen to and the churches broadcast are ones that Kazumi is familiar with.
The Back to God hour Japan and other sites have many things to listen to on demand but have not put them into a playlist for a radio format type of listening.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Are We ambitious for the Gospel????
I have been reflecting upon ambition or in better words being driven. As tent-makers we are called to run a business. We are very ambitious in business going after contracts and students. We hold ourselves to standards of quality and service. If we do not do well we do not eat, at least as well as we would like. Do I have this same urgency, ambitious, drive, for the Kingdom of God? Recently I have been chanting to myself the old high school cheer, "Be Aggressive, B-E- Aggressive." It is my hope to be more aggressive for God's Kingdom.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
This verse has stuck with me for about a month
In Genesis 33:14 Jacob responds to Easu with the following words at the time they are reunited: Let my lord pass on ahead of his servant, and I will lead on slowly at the pace of the livestock that are ahead of me, and at the pace of the small children.
I am struck as a parent and as a teacher and a missionary by this verse. Here Jacob provides an excellent symbol of what it is to be a good shepherd. Now don't get me wrong Jacob is not sitting around singing Kumbaya. He has traveled a long distance with this clan. He knows his flocks and his children and what they can endure. He has been a servant leader, leading those under his care to the promised land but at a pace adjusted to the weak under his care. Parents, teachers, and church leaders can learn from cross referencing this verse with Psalm 23. Well this verse has been with me for about a month because I have a lot of learn about adjusting my pace to the needs of others.
I am struck as a parent and as a teacher and a missionary by this verse. Here Jacob provides an excellent symbol of what it is to be a good shepherd. Now don't get me wrong Jacob is not sitting around singing Kumbaya. He has traveled a long distance with this clan. He knows his flocks and his children and what they can endure. He has been a servant leader, leading those under his care to the promised land but at a pace adjusted to the weak under his care. Parents, teachers, and church leaders can learn from cross referencing this verse with Psalm 23. Well this verse has been with me for about a month because I have a lot of learn about adjusting my pace to the needs of others.
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