STOP! LOOK! LISTEN!

We decided to crack down on the kids these past two weeks because of the nightmare we had the first week, so "Stop! Look! Listen!" was drilled into their heads as soon as they walked in the door. But part of me regrets it.... because I kind of miss the insanity. Oh, and I decided that I love ADHD kids.

Another tactic we enforced are "time outs." Yeah... you remember when you got those! Well... I realized that it was our teachers that needed those the most. I've never been more excited about getting back to my dark apartment to just sit all alone, in the silence. I now empathize with my first grade teacher when I could not spell "cat" for my life or my 5th grade teacher who told me everyday to listen. It's no wonder that the retention rate of teacher is 70%-80%... I wonder how long I'd last? It has been so hard this week trying to get these kids to speak and write English, and yet remember the cause of Christ and the example I am to set. Props to those teachers out there doing both successfully! It's hard to see the kids walk out of the class every day, wondering if there's any seed sown, let alone any English learned. but I trust that the Lord is working in those little hearts, despite scary Miss Hannah or migranes!


Imprinting the white image of Jesus into the brains of small children.

English in Action week 2!!

Line up!!!

Mizuki loved it so much, she came back every week.

Speech contest! Yukiya had an Australian accent.. lived in Sydney for two years. It was fantastic!! He won!

Friday beach BBQ

Old McDonald

Week #2's cute little boy: Takuto

"Bluuuuueee" ... "Bllluuuuueeee"





Helping Akira write his speech. it goes something like this, "Today, I would like to talk to you about my pencil. Sometimes it is long. Sometimes it is short. Other times, it is gone." Masterpiece. (He's our other ADHD boy)

Please note the "DYA"

Tomorrow is the last day of the 3 weeks. Please pray that all we've done would be sealed and protected, watered and nurtured. I just now realized typing this.... but tomorrow marks the end of my summer ministry! It's been fast, yet life-altering. Hard, yet heart-softening. I mentioned this a few blogs back, but being here in Japan has reminded me, again and again of my love for these people. I cannot put it to words, but no matter how far I run from these people, my heart stays in this land. Think of the impact Japan can make on the rest of Asia, if only the Christians here could be encouraged. They are so scarce.... and ministries are too. Please don't forget about Japan. Please don't forget the Rich Man.

It had been so long since I'd heard the Lord when I read this straight forward passage the other day: 1 Corinthians 7: 17-24 "Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him.... So brothers, in whatever condition each was called, let him remain with God." If you know clearly the task God has placed on your life, and you are running away from it... let me urge you to remain in it. Distance from it will eat you away like it has me this past year. Don't do that to yourself, the World in need, and especially God. Other things may seem more dignifying... but what will that matter in the end. Other things may seem easier... but since when is it about you? Other things may pay better, but oh, the horrible things riches do to the heart!

Cool story: Katie took me to the Okinawa pottery village yesterday after class. Galleries after galleries of beautiful, hand crafted pottery. We approached one pottery after they had closed and peaked into a building with a man crafting some bowls on a wheel. He invited us in to watch. Katie spotted a Bill Wilson poster and asked if he was a Christian, and he all of a sudden opened up and told us his testimony! Apparently, one day, he opened up the Bible and read from Genesis the creation of man. Being a potter, he was inspired by the verse "the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. (Genesis 2:6)" He told us that seeing this passage made him realized that God was available to all men, American and Japanese, since he molded us with his own hands, individually with the dirt of the earth. So he has created beautiful works of art to the Lord every since, and he now uses his pottery as a church every Sunday! So, that's where we're going this week! How awesome!! Christians may be scarce here... but they're here!!


The Christian potter.


Got to get some Okinawa tourism done this past weekend!

Gosh, I love aquariums. This is the largest fish tank in the world - 3 feet taller than Georgia's!

Pineapple park - all you can eat. I knew to stop when the citric acid started eating away at my intestines.

This weekend: pier jumping and snorkling!

Atodenei~~~