"So Santa Clause is really Ann Sensei!!"

That's right folks! Santa Clause's true identity has finally been revealed. The so called "Santa" has recently made "his" home in the tiny but mighty country of Japan, and has taken on the role of an Eigo no sensei (English teacher). It has also been discovered that Santa Clause is indeed a woman, and tall and blonde at that. Nevertheless, Japan's "Santa San" was welcomed warmly by the elementary students, who laughed and cheered, and tugged at the beard, of course!

Me, my translator, Sachimi, and my principal, "Kochyo Sensei." (from L to R)

HAHA! Actually, here's the real story: One of my teachers has a Santa suit, and asked me to wear it for the Christmas lesson, which happened to be first period. Lots of kids saw me in the outfit, and I didn't want to let any of them down, so I wore the thing all day to all my classes!

One first grader even commented- "Oh! So Santa Clause is really Ann Sensei!!"

HAHA!! They really thought I was the Santa Clause! I was amazed at how students would run up to me and wanted to touch me hand, or hug me- even though they knew it was Ann Sensei! This touched my heart, and it reminded me of Jesus- and how he wanted the little children to come to him. I would say 98% of my students have never heard of Jesus, which is truly tragic. But they do know that Santa Clause is a kind man who gives gifts- so its almost like the Santa Clause figure is "Jesus" to these kids- kind, welcoming, and miraculous! Wow.

**Making Christmas cards!!**

Miraculously I have been able to share Jesus with most of my students, through a Christmas lesson we teach. Of course, the original lesson did not include Jesus, but I asked if I could show pictures of Jesus in the manger, and pics of a manger scene, and my teacher had no problem with that. SO- I show the students these pictures and ask them if they have ever seen anything like this before. Not astonishingly, most of them say no, they have not seen pics of Jesus. I only hope that my introduction of Jesus will stick with them, and when they hear about Him in the future, their hearts will be sparked, and curiosity will turn into exploration for truth. Please continue to lift up my students. I love them so very much!