No Words....

Oh my goodness- so the latest drama in my life was this: I either got a vicious case of food poisoning, or a bad virus this weekend, and I was exploding out of both ends. So my friends insisted I had to go to a hospital. But it was Saturday night, so I guess the hospitals weren't open. (?) SO- my lovely (and loving) boyfriend drove me to this clinic where they assessed me and figured I had some viral infection, not bacterial. Then I got to lay on the floor in this "community" sort of tatami room. They hung an IV bag from the ceiling and it drained into me for 40 minutes. My first IV ever, and in Japan!! It was the strangest experience. I kept thinking to myself that if I was at home, I would just sleep this off, and not even think about going to the doctor. But things are done differently in Japan. I was a little nervous when they laid my down in the tatami room... It just felt so "old-school!" But

Adeng read to me from the Psalms, and I found myself singing worship songs in my head, and praying for the other patients. It was a calming feeling, to know I was in a strange situation, but God's hand was still protecting me.

Anyway- I survived and today Adeng brough me okayu (rice porridge) and home made chicken soup. He's so good. And Ramona stayed with me last night, although nothing happened.

People have taken care of me so much, and so well. The love and servanthood of Christ is truly radiating from the people from New Life International Church. They prayed for me during the service, several already called today, and here I have Adeng and Ramona tending to my every need. Praise God for the family He has given us with in the church. We really are supposed to tangibly meet each others' needs. Seeing these acts of love has prompted me to serve Christ and people in any way that I can... Once I'm back on my feet!Their examples have been exactly what God needs me to see... I need to take my eyes off myself, my problems, my stresses. God promises to take care of all that. I am supposed to live a life worshipping Him through service, prayer, and loving, loving, LOVING other people. I may have just rambled, but its coming from my heart, which is full of gratitude and ambition to allow Christ to reshape my heart and remold me into what he needs me to be.

Praise God for his mercy and grace.

Love you all!

Annie<><

Eggu-Nogu

'Tis past the season for any sort of festive baking attempts. But when ya live in Japan, sometimes things happen out of order! So yesterday I accepted the challenge (presented to me by myself) to attempt eggnog. To my delight I was successful! However, I'll admit that I did over cook the custard, and had to strain it 3 times to get all the little scrambled eggs out of the mix. And I may have whipped the cream too much before mixing it into the custard, so the nog is a bit thick, and slightly clumpy, but ever-so homemade! Of course I had to have a glass with my blueberry pancakes this morning! I also put some in a glass milk bottle, which I think makes it look a little more official. I must throw a special thanks out to my American friends here, who are always willing to taste my latest concoction.




One thing I've learned about living in Japan is this: It is truly an advanced nation, where anything and everything seems possible. Who would have thought I could find all the ingredients and have all the means to make such an American sweet, like eggnog? Not only in the ways of technological growth, but also in the the options offered in every area. It seems Japan is a country that sees a need, or want, and meets it. Japan likes convenience. Here are a few examples:

• There are coffee and coke machines every 400 meters, for your convenience.



• At a restaurant, you push a button to summon the waitress, so she comes neither too early or late.



• The table tennis teams have long, lacrosse-like sticks to pick up the balls on the floor- you need not bend over!



• The washing machine and dryer are one unit- no need to take up extra space!



• Some shops serve over 30 flavors of ice cream- you're sure to find one you like!



• Your cell phone doubles as an internet server, a television, an mp3 player, a camera, as well as all the normal cell phone features.
  

I am awed and wondered by the options in Japan. You can get anything you want, because for every category of anything, options have been created. However, the said side, the heart-breaking side is this: all these options, all this stuff, has been created to fill a need in man's heart. All the stuff Japan offers will never fill this hole, because it can only be filled by the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Man was created to know God personally, to see his grace offered on the cross of Christ, to accept forgiveness, and to live as a child of God. People in Japan, and everywhere in the world search and search for fulfillment, but never find it because they search for it from the world. The world will never fill the heart, only God can do that.

So although I enjoy seeing the works of man's hands in Japan- the crazy inventions and convenient ways of life, I cannot help but to sit back and pray for this nation. People's lives are a chasing after the wind without the Lord Jesus as their Savior. Please join me in praying for the nation of Japan.

"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!

Chili Party

American traditions live STRONG- no matter where you are! When spicy chili, homemade cornbread (soaked in honey), ritz crackers covered in a plethora of ingredients, and pumpkin cheesecake call your name- you do NOT say no.

Joe, me, Molly, and Angela (from L to R below) had an American food, chili party this weekend. We are a family! Joe and Angela are the parents- of course- because they are older (and more mature), and Molly and I make GREAT kids- as we are always joking, laughing, or asking questions about something or other. Here we are!

These friends of mine have been Jesus to me time and time again-what an example! Angela housed me for two nights in a row- I even slept in her bed, and she was on the floor, she let be borrow sweatpants, she fed me breakfast. She did it all with a smile- what a servant!

And we had some fun with camera- throwing us into hysterics!! Tears all around!!

Scary Necks!!

Angela's crying... Molly's crying...

I can't breath!!!

MIRACLES HAPPEN!

Lately God has really been challenging me to not only believe what the Bible says, but to ACT on what it says, and have faith that God will show up in every situation. I often find myself thinking about God's power, and believing so much that He can and will show up when I call on His name to do something miraculous, but I have been keeing this inside, and not GOING when the Holy Spirit calls me to GO!So I was at school this past Thursday morning, sitting at my desk as usual, and getting ready to read my Bible cause I didn't have an early class.

There is a 1st grade student at this school who has some learning disabilities, or other things going on, I'm not sure what. But on this morning she was freaking out: yelling, screaming, thrashing her fists at the teachers, throwing a tantrum. She was beyond help- none of the teachers could get her to calm down. She was running, and they were actually chasing her around the school, and the principal was there too.

As I sat there, the Holy Spirit reminded me that in the Bible when this sort of thing happens, the person is always possessed by a demon, and Jesus or someone casts the demon away. I knew in my heart that this little girl was being tormented by a demon, and I KNEW that the very name of Jesus would drive this demon away, and bring her peace. I almost held back, but the Holy Spirit's calling was so strong. I got up from my desk, and followed the sound of the screams.

When I found her, one teacher was trying to pick her up off the floor but she was laying there kicking with her feet, going stiff, and still screaming and crying. I didn't know exactly how I was supposed to do this, so I just put both of my hands on her head and started speaking "In the name of Jesus, come out! In the name of Jesus, come out!" I said this probably 10 times, and as I spoke, she began to calm down, she stopped flailing, and screaming. Then one of the teachers picked her up, and I kept playing with her hair, and then started speaking "peace in the name of Jesus. Peace in the name of Jesus."
And she stopped crying.
And started LAUGHING!!!!
And I fell down!!!!!

The demon left this girl, and the peace of Jesus entered. WHY? Because I was obedient. Thats all it takes is obedience to the call. Oh my word- the HOLY SPIRIT, GOD, JESUS- they are ALIVE and WELL. When God lays it on our hearts to do something, He doesn't just send us off and wish us well- He GOES with us- every step! And its HIS power anyway, that does the task for which we are sent. We are merely vessels- which carry His Living Spirit where it needs to go, to do His work. Just like with Moses and the burning bush- God didn't send him off, God went with Moses, and performed HUGE wonders in Egypt.

Its not about us at all! WOW!!

Sunday Afternoons...

Today is Nichiyobi, or Sunday. I took a photo-documentary of my afternoon today, as requested by my parents! My main mode of transportation around Yamanashi City is my bike- there we are! I tried to get my bike in the picture, but he wasn't cooperating. I haven't named him yet...



This afternoon I visited a place called "Off-House", which is basically Japan's Goodwill. I have enough of my mother in me to live up to the phrase "One man's trash is another man's treasure!" I found some goodies at the Off-House! Finally- a complete set of small bowls, complete with lids and a serving tray. I don't think they have ever been used! Also- a set of drinking glasses. They are so me- colorful!! I'm really excited about these, because all my dishes before were one-sies, in other words- nothing matched anything else!


Autumn is becoming my favorite season. The weather is perfect, it was probably mid-70's and sunny today. This is a road near my house. These trees are "persimon trees." Persimon is the orange fruit, I don't think we have these in the States; they taste sweet, with a sort of apple texture.






I caught a cute family on a Nichiyobi bike-ride. Look at that little cherub!!




After the Off-House I went to D2, which is a big home store. You can buy nearly anything there! I bought a small pot, and some Taiyaki...




This was my lunch after D2. The fish is the Taiyaki. Taiyaki is a snack thats a waffle outside and has sweet bean paste in the middle. Its so yummy!! I dipped it in my milkshake! I'm a dipper!!



THEN- hit up the grocery store, called Ichiyama. "Ichi" means "one," and "yama" means "mountain." I guess the grocery store is called "One Mountain." Cool. Here are some pics of the isles and food options.











Notice the "Happy Halloween" sign in the picture above. They think its cool to "celebrate" Halloween... or at least have the icons present.


Shopping makes me tired, so I came home and read my bible and prayed- so rejuvenating!

GUESS WHAT?? I prayed for an opportunity to share Jesus' love with my neighbor. Then I took her some candy corn and Dove chocolate (courtesy of my package from home!) and she invited me to go on a walk tonight! GOD IS FAITHFUL TO ANSWER PRAYER!!! I am so excited to continue building my relationship with her. She speaks mostly Japanese, so communication is limited, but God is bigger than language barriers!!!

Hope ur having an awesome day!

Sionara!!

School Dayz

This is just a tiny blip of what I see everyday at school. HAHA- no I don't see kids with goblin lanterns- I just thought he was cute and I wanted him to start this blog off!

Anyway- the teachers all have their desks in one big room. We call it the teachers' room! The vice principal, secretary and school affairs teachers sit at the head of the room, and the principals office is next door. My desk is the one in the center of this picture- with the flower bag on the chair. This is Kusakabe Elementary, my Wed/Thurs. school.

As far as formalities at school, we don't call the principal by his last name, as we do other teachers. The principal of every school is called "Kochyo Sensei" which means "leader teacher." Other teachers are called by their last names and then "sensei." For example "Nezu Sensei" or "Kobayahsi Sensei" (these are teachers I teach with!). However, as the foreign teacher, my first name is difficult enough, so I am called "Ann Sensei." I hear that about a million times a day, kids exclaiming "Ann Sensei!! Hello!! Good Moning" (thats right- no "r" sound! SO cute!)

This video was taken at recess at my Yawata- my Friday school. The kids at this school are the most talented I have ever seen on these monkey bars! Although before I took these videos, I saw a couple girls fall on their heads! Take a look- its truly amazing.

This second video is better- or more extreme I would say!

Japanese children are very high-energy. The Japanese term for this is "genki." Even in the classroom some of them are loud and bouncing all over the place. In between each period students and teacher get a 5 minute break. Its a bathroom break basically, but its not unusual to see kids wrestling in the hallways, or running up and down them screaming and chasing each other. In fact that's expected. But after 5 minutes they have released their pent-up energy and are back in their seats ready to go again. Its an incredibly different system than in the US- but it seems to be working!

This month we have been hitting the Halloween lesson! So I get to talk about Jack-o-lanterns, kids in costumes, and trick-or-treating! Then we do a fun activity! These 5th graders are making pumpkin or goblin lanterns from paper. Its a simple project, but the kids are engrossed and spend lots of time on details!

The second graders make "halloween crowns" for their activity. They were thrilled to be able to color something, and then have it turned into a head piece!

Those are only a few of my many students. I love them, and they seem to like me too! I am really enjoying my job as an English teacher. The crazy part is that I don't to any grading. In fact- English is not graded at all, rather its considered an elective, or "fun class," like sewing or p.e. Interesting... because in jr. high and high school they will be graded, and they must start writing. In elementary we only do listening and speaking- no writing or sentence structure. If the 6th graders are speaking a sentence- I write it on the board and then say it- and they repeat after me until they have memorized what is sounds like. There isn't necessarily any comprehension!

School Building

Here are some photos of a basic Japanese elementary school, in this area at least.

There are sinks like this upstairs and downstairs, and yes that is soap in that little net. After lunch all teachers and students use these to brush their teeth! They also come in handy throughout the school day.

This giant metal support beam was just installed this summer, along with several others throughout the school. The elementary schools in this area all received new beams like this for extra support in case of an earthquake. I'm so glad we are up to "code!"

Everyone- students, teachers, and visitors, removes their outside shoes and dawns inside shoes upon entering the school. If you don't have indoor shoes- you get to borrow some slippers!

Every student has the exact same, slip-on, indoor tennis shoe, which is a great idea- no one is "richer or poorer." So they all put their shoes here, along with their umbrellas! Yes, Umbrellas are a must! It has rained at least once a week since I've been here! Crazy! Every school entrance looks like this- shoes and umbrellas galore!

That was a ton of info, but if you made it this far then you've completed the marathon blog!! YAY!!

Sionara!!