Just a dirty creek? All those bumps are turtles! One day, there were hundreds of turtles in that creek!!
Rice fields are flooded before planting.
Please pray for this family from my church. The mom has several blood clots on her brain and they make her feel sick.
Not so Ordinary
What's some not so ordinary sites, tastes, and smells I come across everyday in Japan? Last week, we ate at a buffet, and they have cotton candy machines there! So fun! People here eat a lot of noodles, vegetables, and rice. Some days, I come across restaurants that play American 80s music, definitely not something you'd expect to hear in Japan! Leaving a restaurant, you'll here a chorus of thank you very much from all of the workers!!!
On trains, you'll see people texting, sleeping, listening to music, or reading. People typically keep to themselves on public transportation, and it's very quiet ride.
Cities are crowded! I know think of American cities as crowded, but Japan has a large population in a very small area-it's really packed! If it's raining, everyone has an umbrella, even people on bikes. It's currently rainy season, which means, as you guessed, a month of rain. Cities look like a typical American city, with many modern buildings, stores, and restaurants. People are very busy in Japan and often move quite quickly.
A Typical Day
So what is a typical day in my life like in Japan? My day usually starts talking to my fiance, friends, or family over skype. Yes, relationships overseas can be a challenge, but skype is a wonderful tool because I can both see and hear loved ones! In the mornings, I spend time with the Lord, walk, wedding plan, and get ready for my day. On a typical walk, I might come across many turtles, or flooded rice fields, as they are getting ready to plant. Look out Japan! Here comes the mosquitos!
Sometimes on my walk, I will stop at one of my favorite coffee shops/restaurants. The Nagoya area is famous for cheap and yummy cafe breakfasts. A typical one might include a small salad, eggs, and toast.
I usually go to the school between 1 and 2:30 and teach until around 8 or 9, depending on my teaching schedule for the day. Then I'm off lessoning planning, prepping for class, and teaching English! I teach various ages, and no 2 classes are the same. One class I teach consists of 3 little boys. They are VERY active and love physical activities. I try to taylor their class to fit them. In another class, I have a man in his 40s for a private lesson. He is very good at English and loves to chat. We are reading from
Time magazine, the "100 Most Influential People." Last week, we talked about the singer Prince. It's always interesting to hear the Japanese perspective on American entertainment!
I love seeing my students improve in their English, but my favorite moments of teaching are when I get to teach about the Lord. In my church classes on Saturday, we are studying the book of Luke. I love to see my non-Christian students answering questions! I also have a Bible cartoon DVD my kids enjoy watching, and I am studying with a jr. high class. I continue to pray God will use all the seeds planted to further His kingdom.
Seeing God in the Ordinary
As I get somewhat settled in an everyday routine of adult life and teaching, I have learned to see God in the ordinary. I spend time praying over my classes, and even praying for the time I prepare for classes. I often get new ideas, or come across new, much-needed energy and patience for the Japanese kids I teach! I see God answering my prayers for friends and family both locally and abroad, as we pray for different life situations, and God working in the lives of the Non-Christian students I teach. I see God bless my day with little things, like hundreds of turtles in the creek on my walking trail, some new pretty flowers, or the dog I live with come love on me when I'm having a tough day. If you're going through a discouraging time, I would like to encourage you:)! God is working through our prayers in big and small things all around us! Thanks for praying!