Into the New

Today I drove for the first time in Japan. The roads are narrower here, and I don't really like driving in tight places. I mean seriously narrow!! I drove on the left side of the road, with a turn signal that was on the right side of the steering wheel, and up is Left turn instead of right turn. Yes, as you can guess, I prayed through the whole experience! Akane, the wife and mom I live with, is a great teacher and very nice. We were both a little stressed out:), but still fun as I ventured out on my own to get used to another part of the culture.

In pre-field training, I learned an important lesson: entering a new culture with a new job will completely reshape your life. I haven't taught for extended periods of time since my days of teaching swimming lessons at the YWCA the start of grad school. Who would have thought that method and structure would help prepare me to teach here? At Saban English school, they have fun curriculum with short prep time and work books and cds for the kids to listen and respond. The kids have several levels they can advance to. I am still learning different methods and what each class knows at their different level. I enjoy the variety of classes and age levels.

I like Japanese food, which is an extremely big deal if you knew me when I went to China and the Philippines. I did not always care for the food there, and staying long-term would be a struggle. The bread is wonderful, I can buy a lot of fruit, and many American favorites, such as pizza and spaghetti, I can find easily here:)

Akane took me to a place that is similar to Old Navy today and a mall. I love the clothes at the Old Navy and had fun looking at all the cool stuff, especially stuff for kids (future Christmas presents for the niece and nephew) at the mall! I

For the first time in a very long time, I have more free time, as I am no longer in grad school:) I have been taking long walks, started reading the Bible all the way through in a year with Akane, staying connected with friends and family online, and getting settled here, with building things like a drying rack for my clothes because they air dry their clothes here. The family I am staying with has been extremely gracious and helpful in getting everything I need to get settled.

For those of you who have been praying for friends, I am very thankful! Finding Christians around my age who speak English would be a hard task without the hand of God:) My first Sunday, God brought 3 girls around my age my way:) 2 of them were brand new to our ministry- one was at the church I was at Sun. morning for the first time. She lives with international students, and used to study in Minnesota! Another girl came to the Sun. night Bible study Kurt and Akane have. I have also been excited to reconnect with Shiori, who attended the international student ministry I helped lead 2 years ago and became a friend! She teaches at the school on Mondays so I will get to see her then. I am very thankful to make and be able to do ministry with new college friends:)

Prayer Requests: Please pray for my study of Japanese, God's provision of teammates in his timing (the missionaries are staying with are hoping to expand), and God's provision. In order to expand the team, we need to generate more business in the school so we can pay missionaries. arigato (thank you)!

I will have to hold you in suspense regarding the pictures of Japan, and blog more often so the entries won't be as long:)