Many of our students are part of a Okinawa drum squad and a few of them went to Sao Paulo last weekend for the Centennial Okinawa Taiko fest. All 1150 participants learned the same beat and did it simultaneously. I'm sad I missed out... I'm missing gout on a lot of centennial stuff in Sao Paulo, but youtube is wonderful!
Friday, June 27
Wednesday, June 25
Urban Farmer
Time to up the date.. sorry for the delay again. This past week has been crazy crazy crazy with the team from Swanton here. Shedding many tears, they just left us yesterday. I'm assuming they didn't miss their international flight again... no news is good news! Thank you guys for all the encouragement and support you left us with here in Brasilia! We look forward to your visit again in 2010!
This week is mostly occupied with preparing for the speech contest on Sunday. June 29th seemed so so far away on June 1st when I arrived here in Brasilia. The date is so exciting, yet so dreadful because only 2 days after that I have to leave this wonderful family and home I've been accepted into for good (or maybe not?). So as I scramble around, making giant paper cranes, making up anthropological journal entries, and make hundreds of candies, I'm trying so desperately to breathe in as much of this experience as I can. 5 weeks was by no means long enough... but I thank God so much for every minute of it. Ok, ok, no more good bye mushies, i still have 5 days!!!
I'm gonna miss these kids....
Believe it or not, last Thursday was my first day of tourism around Brasilia. It's been so crazy that I haven't left the church much at all! I guess I'd better get used to it.. since my whole life will be in a church anyway ;-) I again tagged along with the Swanton team on their tourism day.
We of course started the day off with a Churrascaria lunch (Brazilian all you-you-can-eat steak barbeque). I love my meat rare, as you may be able to see in the very attractive photo of myself.
Then we headed to the TV tower for a good view of the city.
Modern Art?
Pastor Toshi and Takao-san
Below the TV tower is the fela, or hippie market, a tourist's dream come true. I'm making my third trip there this Saturday to actually buy stuff. The first time was just looking, the second time was weaving in and out of the stands with Fumiko, the church's fight-to-the-death bargainer. Y'all have got to see this woman wage war on the sellers. Just imagine the nicest looking Japanese lady say a bunch of Portuguese really fast with hand motions and looks, then walk away mumbling "muito carro... muito carro...," "too expensive... too expensive..." At times I felt I needed to take a step back in case some blood started spewing. Well, by the end of that day, everything ended up being muito carro, so we're going back into the last battle on Saturday for last minute strikes. Please keep us in your prayers.
Scoping out the berimbao, afro-Brazilian instrument
"Nao, obrigado... mais photo por favor?"
Oh... Poker night... and yes, I AM on a missions trip.
Saturday afternoon some church members and I filled up two cars and took a 30 minute ride out to a neighboring city, Gama, to visit and do a service for a drug/alcohol rehab center. They are currently building a new facility. The men their are very optimistic for healing, very encouraging.
That same night was the follow up service to the English camp. It was so cool to see almost everyone from camp return to the church for the service. Although the camp was mostly focused on friendship and English, this service was a direct evangelistic attempt. Pastor Andy gave a great Gospel message that I'm sure pierced many hearts. We all had a great time of fellowship afterwards too. I know a few that have decided to come to the church and others who are considering. I pray that the seeds sown at the camp and the service will be watered and fruitful, even though the Swanton team or I will not see it happen.
I had to say my advertisement for the 41st and last time...
I've seen a lot of the interest that Brazilians have in American life and culture since being here. Although, most of the time I'm not too fond of being an American, I'm continually reminded the fact that my American citizenship is a huge bridge and tool for ministry. Like I talked about in my last post, even though I hate being the Americn, or the "rich man", I was reminded by a very precious person in my life (Laura, cough cough) that God has made me that man for a reason and I must use it for the good of the kingdom by giving it and sharing it. Loving my riches will only make me spiritually poor, and despising my riches will get me no where either!
So whoever said city peeps can't farm was very wrong, cuz I totally did on Monday! I figured if I was going to have an extreme Japanese-Brazilian cultural experience, what better to do than dig up some maniocs and plant some lettuce? Yoshida-san took the great risk of allowing a Tokyo girl like me take foot on his soil... I never really found out what he thought of me, but I know I learned how to dig up manioc potatoes, peal the thick skin of them, trade potato roots for lettuce and brocolli sprouts, and plant them. Farming has become a very difficult market for the Japanese-Brazilians. Of the 60 some lots in the Vargem Bonita suburb, only 4 have been doing well. But Mr. Yoshida has been a trooper ever since he came to Brazil in the 50's, raising 4 boys on his own after his wife passed away. He taught me a lot of lessons that day, beyond agriculture, on toil and dignity.
Pedro (Yoshida-san's grandson) was kicking butt, it must be in his blood.
My lettuce/broccoli garden still isn't growing...
It was a refreshing day... but I think I'll stick with urban life...
Thanks for your visit! Come again!!
This week is mostly occupied with preparing for the speech contest on Sunday. June 29th seemed so so far away on June 1st when I arrived here in Brasilia. The date is so exciting, yet so dreadful because only 2 days after that I have to leave this wonderful family and home I've been accepted into for good (or maybe not?). So as I scramble around, making giant paper cranes, making up anthropological journal entries, and make hundreds of candies, I'm trying so desperately to breathe in as much of this experience as I can. 5 weeks was by no means long enough... but I thank God so much for every minute of it. Ok, ok, no more good bye mushies, i still have 5 days!!!
I'm gonna miss these kids....Believe it or not, last Thursday was my first day of tourism around Brasilia. It's been so crazy that I haven't left the church much at all! I guess I'd better get used to it.. since my whole life will be in a church anyway ;-) I again tagged along with the Swanton team on their tourism day.
We of course started the day off with a Churrascaria lunch (Brazilian all you-you-can-eat steak barbeque). I love my meat rare, as you may be able to see in the very attractive photo of myself.
Then we headed to the TV tower for a good view of the city.
Modern Art?
Pastor Toshi and Takao-san
Below the TV tower is the fela, or hippie market, a tourist's dream come true. I'm making my third trip there this Saturday to actually buy stuff. The first time was just looking, the second time was weaving in and out of the stands with Fumiko, the church's fight-to-the-death bargainer. Y'all have got to see this woman wage war on the sellers. Just imagine the nicest looking Japanese lady say a bunch of Portuguese really fast with hand motions and looks, then walk away mumbling "muito carro... muito carro...," "too expensive... too expensive..." At times I felt I needed to take a step back in case some blood started spewing. Well, by the end of that day, everything ended up being muito carro, so we're going back into the last battle on Saturday for last minute strikes. Please keep us in your prayers.
Scoping out the berimbao, afro-Brazilian instrument
"Nao, obrigado... mais photo por favor?"
Oh... Poker night... and yes, I AM on a missions trip.
Saturday afternoon some church members and I filled up two cars and took a 30 minute ride out to a neighboring city, Gama, to visit and do a service for a drug/alcohol rehab center. They are currently building a new facility. The men their are very optimistic for healing, very encouraging.
That same night was the follow up service to the English camp. It was so cool to see almost everyone from camp return to the church for the service. Although the camp was mostly focused on friendship and English, this service was a direct evangelistic attempt. Pastor Andy gave a great Gospel message that I'm sure pierced many hearts. We all had a great time of fellowship afterwards too. I know a few that have decided to come to the church and others who are considering. I pray that the seeds sown at the camp and the service will be watered and fruitful, even though the Swanton team or I will not see it happen.
I had to say my advertisement for the 41st and last time...
I've seen a lot of the interest that Brazilians have in American life and culture since being here. Although, most of the time I'm not too fond of being an American, I'm continually reminded the fact that my American citizenship is a huge bridge and tool for ministry. Like I talked about in my last post, even though I hate being the Americn, or the "rich man", I was reminded by a very precious person in my life (Laura, cough cough) that God has made me that man for a reason and I must use it for the good of the kingdom by giving it and sharing it. Loving my riches will only make me spiritually poor, and despising my riches will get me no where either!
So whoever said city peeps can't farm was very wrong, cuz I totally did on Monday! I figured if I was going to have an extreme Japanese-Brazilian cultural experience, what better to do than dig up some maniocs and plant some lettuce? Yoshida-san took the great risk of allowing a Tokyo girl like me take foot on his soil... I never really found out what he thought of me, but I know I learned how to dig up manioc potatoes, peal the thick skin of them, trade potato roots for lettuce and brocolli sprouts, and plant them. Farming has become a very difficult market for the Japanese-Brazilians. Of the 60 some lots in the Vargem Bonita suburb, only 4 have been doing well. But Mr. Yoshida has been a trooper ever since he came to Brazil in the 50's, raising 4 boys on his own after his wife passed away. He taught me a lot of lessons that day, beyond agriculture, on toil and dignity.
Pedro (Yoshida-san's grandson) was kicking butt, it must be in his blood.
My lettuce/broccoli garden still isn't growing...
It was a refreshing day... but I think I'll stick with urban life...
Thanks for your visit! Come again!!
Thursday, June 19
Comfort 2 Camp Ground 2 Favela 2 Comfort
"Hi!!! My name is Hannah! And I'm an AMERICAN! I'm here to invite you to our English Camp! It's on June 13th, 14th, and 15th at Cocalzinho. THIRTEEN Americans will be there to practice and learn English with! We will teach you about American culture, like eat American food - hotdogs, hamburgers, french fries, coca-cola, marshmallows... mmmm, and play American sports like football and baseball! There's even a pool there for pool games!! But most of all, we just want to become your friends and get to know you! So please come! It's only $R65.00, including transportation, food, and lodging! That's waaay less than what you spend on the weekend! See you there!"
Saying that advertisement about 40 times over was proved worth it this weekend. The American team from Swanton arrived on Friday, 24 hours late since missing their flight in Atlanta, very sad. So we dropped off their extra suitcases at the church and loaded up 3 buses of 13 gringos, 20 church staff, and 54 Brazilians of all English levels. I went through language shock going from all Japanese to all English!
Something to add about the Brazilian culture that I personally really, really struggle with. Schedules are... just suggestions. Marcos had a whole schedule planned, but it wasn't used much at all. We were supposed to get to the camp around 7pm on Friday, well, we got there at 10. We were supposed to teach 4 times, but we taught twice and 2 hours of free times became 5. But the main purposes were accomplished - friends and fun. And I might add that I can't believe I had to come all the way to Brazil to learn how to chill out!
Please be praying for the church service at our church this Saturday night. The English camp was not openly promoted as a Christian event, but our goal was to invite as many people to come to the follow-up service. From the looks of it, most everyone from camp is going. Here are some shots:
My new friends Ehberly, Karine, and Edelene ;-)
Make a "P" with your body... GO!
The Americans brought a dance to "Lean on me" (the DC Talk remake, yes, the one no one sings anymore). I had to hold myself from laughing when all the Brazilians were like "this song is sooo cool!!" I'm terrible, I know.
American dinner!
My kids class!
I cropped out the boys with speedos for you ;-)
I should probably take a moment to introduce the Swanton team. VERY cool people! The team is composed of Pastor Andy and his daughters Abby and Hannie, Pastor Miguel ('05 TFC grad!), Jim and Joann, their daughters Samantha and Stephanie, Peter and Kathy, Judy, and Erin. Swanton Alliance church switches back and forth from Brazil and India every other year, so they have brought a team in '04 and '06. So they were familiar with the area and the English Camp too. It's been nice to have some homeland lovin'!
Other than Japanese school on Wednesday and Friday, I'm sticking with the North Americans this week. On Monday and Tuesday we took a ride to Estutural, the favela of Brasilia (slum, shantytown, or garbage dump community). As you know, Brasilia is a fairly new city, therefore, it is known around Brazil to be a city of job opportunity. But that is not necessarily true... Many of the inhabitants of Estutural come from the state of Bahia, north of here, which is home to many Afro-Brazilians, or the poorest of the country. So they come down to Brasilia and after seeing no legit jobs, they settle in the favela for a "better life." This better life consists of a home made completely out of garbage that the family found at the dump - the walls are scraps and cardboard pieces, the floor of mud, decorations/plates of "hand-me-downs", and TV's/stereos most likely sold for cheap by a robber. The crazy thing is... we see this as a miserable life, but this life I just described is ten time better than their old lives in Bahia where they had no food or shelter. So in their mind... they are rich and comfortable. It's all perspective huh?
Making baggies of clothes by size and gender.
A majority of this house was built with the funding of Swanton Alliance church 2 years ago. The lady cried sooo much when they came..
Therefore, the true Gospel is very hard to preach to the people of Estutural. The popular Gospel that is heard in these streets is the again the prosperity gospel where if you believe in Jesus, he will give you wealth, health, and happiness. When I was told this, my first question was "Is it successful? Because health, wealth, and happiness doesn't really seem to exist there." Well... again, in their mind, they're wealthy and happy with their garbage dump food and stolen TV, much more than what they had in Bahia. Please pray that the people of Estutural would not see Jesus as only a provider, but above that, a Savior.
If you can tell, the people in this photo have orange vests on. That's a recent action made by the government to control the chaotic situation at the dump. If you would have gone to the dump 2 months ago, you would seen entire families with all their children digging through the toxic waste. The trucks and bulldozers have no care where they drive, so many people, including children died from these sorts of accidents. So now, the government has distributed special outfits to authorize only certain people to be on the dump. But keep in mind that this dump is VERY controlled as opposed to some others in Brazil or around the world (like India where the government actually places the untouchable cast onto garbage dumps).
Some of you reading my blog are my very close friends who have heard my never ending worries of what my life ministry looks like (Africa? Japan? America? Brazil?). Others of you have known me since the day I developed that passion to be a missionary in Japan for life. Since entering college I have fought and fought that calling. I have wrestled so much with the Lord after hearing about the people who have to sell their bodies, dig through garbage, and die for a single meal on the table. The AIDS epidemic has brought many tears to my eyes and the children tossed around for sex 6 times a day has enraged me. How can I not do anything??? But here's how my mind has been directed in the past month: to the rich man.
Hear me out on this... Sorry if it's way off the wall.
The woman who so badly wanted to give the little she had for refreshments... the man cooking the old food over the methane gas floating out of the ground for dinner... the naked girl with a mile long grin on her face for her new teddy bear... Then, I see the rich man in Mark 10 walking away sad when Jesus told him to sell all of his possessions to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I see the 100 suicides a day in Japan, one of the richest countries in the world. I see the American dream fulfilling the physical, temporary need, and then the wretched, empty heart lacking in the spiritual, eternal need.. How does that add up?
Since being in Brazil, I have heard 6 different people speak/teach out of Revelations 3: 14-22, aka, the Lukewarm/Hot or Cold? passage - you know... that passage that Americans don't like hearing? In a round-about way, the passage is God speaking to the man who says, "I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing," and those who "are not realizing that they are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked." And that doesn't mean physically wretched, but spiritually. How bluntly God says, "You are neither cold, nor hot. I will spit you out of my mouth." And Jesus bluntly says the same, "How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" (Mark 10:23)
Are you getting my point? Well... in response to Mark 10:23 - No one ever said it's impossible, so I'm up for that challenge!
Watching men and women dive for dinner as the truck unloaded yesterday made me think deeply of the rich man's soul. Position of comfort and prosperity is so very dangerous for the heart because it replaces this dire need we have for the grace and mercy of the God Almighty. The enemy has warped God into a wallet, house, or car, making people think their work and toil has saved them, and therefore they reject the saving cross of Christ. I pray that this doesn't make me sound like a heartless wanna-be-missionary who never wants to touch poverty. By no means am I saying that I will not end up in Africa or Brazil. But I feel the need to say that the rich man needs the Gospel too, so let's not forget him! Despite how badly I want to spend my life feeding the poor and rescuing the children, the Lord continually reminds me of the primary definition of "missionary:" one who lives and shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
That's enough depth for now, my head hurts and it's 3am, I've been trying to upload a video and it's not working. G'nite...
Saying that advertisement about 40 times over was proved worth it this weekend. The American team from Swanton arrived on Friday, 24 hours late since missing their flight in Atlanta, very sad. So we dropped off their extra suitcases at the church and loaded up 3 buses of 13 gringos, 20 church staff, and 54 Brazilians of all English levels. I went through language shock going from all Japanese to all English!
Something to add about the Brazilian culture that I personally really, really struggle with. Schedules are... just suggestions. Marcos had a whole schedule planned, but it wasn't used much at all. We were supposed to get to the camp around 7pm on Friday, well, we got there at 10. We were supposed to teach 4 times, but we taught twice and 2 hours of free times became 5. But the main purposes were accomplished - friends and fun. And I might add that I can't believe I had to come all the way to Brazil to learn how to chill out!
Please be praying for the church service at our church this Saturday night. The English camp was not openly promoted as a Christian event, but our goal was to invite as many people to come to the follow-up service. From the looks of it, most everyone from camp is going. Here are some shots:
My new friends Ehberly, Karine, and Edelene ;-)
Make a "P" with your body... GO!
The Americans brought a dance to "Lean on me" (the DC Talk remake, yes, the one no one sings anymore). I had to hold myself from laughing when all the Brazilians were like "this song is sooo cool!!" I'm terrible, I know.
American dinner!
My kids class!
I cropped out the boys with speedos for you ;-)
I should probably take a moment to introduce the Swanton team. VERY cool people! The team is composed of Pastor Andy and his daughters Abby and Hannie, Pastor Miguel ('05 TFC grad!), Jim and Joann, their daughters Samantha and Stephanie, Peter and Kathy, Judy, and Erin. Swanton Alliance church switches back and forth from Brazil and India every other year, so they have brought a team in '04 and '06. So they were familiar with the area and the English Camp too. It's been nice to have some homeland lovin'!
Other than Japanese school on Wednesday and Friday, I'm sticking with the North Americans this week. On Monday and Tuesday we took a ride to Estutural, the favela of Brasilia (slum, shantytown, or garbage dump community). As you know, Brasilia is a fairly new city, therefore, it is known around Brazil to be a city of job opportunity. But that is not necessarily true... Many of the inhabitants of Estutural come from the state of Bahia, north of here, which is home to many Afro-Brazilians, or the poorest of the country. So they come down to Brasilia and after seeing no legit jobs, they settle in the favela for a "better life." This better life consists of a home made completely out of garbage that the family found at the dump - the walls are scraps and cardboard pieces, the floor of mud, decorations/plates of "hand-me-downs", and TV's/stereos most likely sold for cheap by a robber. The crazy thing is... we see this as a miserable life, but this life I just described is ten time better than their old lives in Bahia where they had no food or shelter. So in their mind... they are rich and comfortable. It's all perspective huh?
Making baggies of clothes by size and gender.
A majority of this house was built with the funding of Swanton Alliance church 2 years ago. The lady cried sooo much when they came..
Therefore, the true Gospel is very hard to preach to the people of Estutural. The popular Gospel that is heard in these streets is the again the prosperity gospel where if you believe in Jesus, he will give you wealth, health, and happiness. When I was told this, my first question was "Is it successful? Because health, wealth, and happiness doesn't really seem to exist there." Well... again, in their mind, they're wealthy and happy with their garbage dump food and stolen TV, much more than what they had in Bahia. Please pray that the people of Estutural would not see Jesus as only a provider, but above that, a Savior.
If you can tell, the people in this photo have orange vests on. That's a recent action made by the government to control the chaotic situation at the dump. If you would have gone to the dump 2 months ago, you would seen entire families with all their children digging through the toxic waste. The trucks and bulldozers have no care where they drive, so many people, including children died from these sorts of accidents. So now, the government has distributed special outfits to authorize only certain people to be on the dump. But keep in mind that this dump is VERY controlled as opposed to some others in Brazil or around the world (like India where the government actually places the untouchable cast onto garbage dumps).
Some of you reading my blog are my very close friends who have heard my never ending worries of what my life ministry looks like (Africa? Japan? America? Brazil?). Others of you have known me since the day I developed that passion to be a missionary in Japan for life. Since entering college I have fought and fought that calling. I have wrestled so much with the Lord after hearing about the people who have to sell their bodies, dig through garbage, and die for a single meal on the table. The AIDS epidemic has brought many tears to my eyes and the children tossed around for sex 6 times a day has enraged me. How can I not do anything??? But here's how my mind has been directed in the past month: to the rich man.
Hear me out on this... Sorry if it's way off the wall.
The woman who so badly wanted to give the little she had for refreshments... the man cooking the old food over the methane gas floating out of the ground for dinner... the naked girl with a mile long grin on her face for her new teddy bear... Then, I see the rich man in Mark 10 walking away sad when Jesus told him to sell all of his possessions to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I see the 100 suicides a day in Japan, one of the richest countries in the world. I see the American dream fulfilling the physical, temporary need, and then the wretched, empty heart lacking in the spiritual, eternal need.. How does that add up?
Since being in Brazil, I have heard 6 different people speak/teach out of Revelations 3: 14-22, aka, the Lukewarm/Hot or Cold? passage - you know... that passage that Americans don't like hearing? In a round-about way, the passage is God speaking to the man who says, "I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing," and those who "are not realizing that they are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked." And that doesn't mean physically wretched, but spiritually. How bluntly God says, "You are neither cold, nor hot. I will spit you out of my mouth." And Jesus bluntly says the same, "How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" (Mark 10:23)
Are you getting my point? Well... in response to Mark 10:23 - No one ever said it's impossible, so I'm up for that challenge!
Watching men and women dive for dinner as the truck unloaded yesterday made me think deeply of the rich man's soul. Position of comfort and prosperity is so very dangerous for the heart because it replaces this dire need we have for the grace and mercy of the God Almighty. The enemy has warped God into a wallet, house, or car, making people think their work and toil has saved them, and therefore they reject the saving cross of Christ. I pray that this doesn't make me sound like a heartless wanna-be-missionary who never wants to touch poverty. By no means am I saying that I will not end up in Africa or Brazil. But I feel the need to say that the rich man needs the Gospel too, so let's not forget him! Despite how badly I want to spend my life feeding the poor and rescuing the children, the Lord continually reminds me of the primary definition of "missionary:" one who lives and shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
That's enough depth for now, my head hurts and it's 3am, I've been trying to upload a video and it's not working. G'nite...
Wednesday, June 18
Hey yáll, I know it´s been a week since my last post. I´m hoping to get a chunk of time tonight on the internet. Have 2 minutes before class. Thank you to Dr. E for doing my homework and lookin gup the difinition of Seicho-no-ie (the popular Japanese religion I mentioend earlier in Brazil: A Buffet of Religion)
`´Hannah - I found this description of Seicho-No-Ie.The Seicho-No-Ie Truth of Life Movement is a nondenominational movement based on the belief that all religions emanate from one universal God. It is dedicated to spreading the truth that every person is a child of God; therefore, in reality every person is divine in nature and the possessor of all of the creative powers of God´`
Almosts sounds kind of attractive.. but so so so evil.
That´s all! I just had to satisfy my blogspot withdrawal. Stay tuned for updates on English camp this past weekend and our visit to Esturtural, the favela (shantytown, slum, garbage dump) here in Brasilia. So... brace yourself!
Peace and Love,
Hannah
Wednesday, June 11
Sup people?
As I wait for my ofuro (Japanese bath - the best everrr), here are some updaties. Umm... let me think...
It's been a pretty kick-butt week so far. Monday especially! Toshi, for some reason, was invited to this special gathering for Nikkei lawyers for a book premier that some lawyers and such wrote on the Japanese-Brazilians, The Nikkei of Brazil (and I of course bought one, despite it's Portuguese penmanship). So I tagged along, and let's just say I was pretty under dressed. It was this fancy shmancy thing with a bunch of high up government people and lawyers with sushi and sake. I got my book signed by the editor, one of the authors, and even the Japanese Ambassador! One of the lawyers there invited me to a special luncheon on Sunday, but I can't go because of English Camp. But hey, I got invited. I won't lie, those gray haired men loved me!
Miss Nikkei Centennario of Brasilia
The 3rd guy from the left is the one who invited me to the luncheon. If you notice, he has a metal on his coat, given to him by the Japanese Emperor for his work and studies on the Nikkei.
Tuesday morning Toshi, Hiroko and I went out for homon (home visiting) again. This time, we visited a very prominent character in Brasilia, Mrs. Fumiko Kanegai. Her and her family were one of the 5 families specifically asked by the president in 1960 to farm the dry ground of newly established Brasilia. He woul dnot allow anyone but Japanese to farm there. It was amazing to hear her story of coming to Brazil as a child, teaching herself portuguese, experiencing the aftermath of WWII, and being a part a creating the very strong Nikkei Farming community in Brasilia. Some historical facts for ya: When Japan surrendered, most Japanese living in Brazil refused to believe that Japan had lost because so much of their self-identity and pride came from their home country. Fumiko was on the side of kachigumi - the winners, as opposed to the makegumi. There were many many fights an killings during that time between the sides. Today, prewar and postwar immigrants are drastically different in thought and lifestyle. I think that a part of her still believes that Japan won...
Backing up a bit to Sunday... Pastor Toshi was given this great evangelism opportunity by a former Japanese school student who quit because she is pregnant with her first. She asked Toshi to come to their family gathering (about 40 people) to deliver a message. Most of her family are non-believers. Well, here's the sad story. Harumi, the former student was informed by the doctors that the child would be born very sick and die shortly after birth. This tore the family up into confusion. But, praise the Lord, the doctors have found that the baby will actually be born normal. So, to share the good news, Harumi gathered her family together on Sunday afternoon and asked Toshi to use the situation for an encouraging message. It was so touching to see a broken family come together in unity, celebration and thanksgiving toward a God that they previously never noticed. As far as I know, one family has committed to coming to our church, and I had some amazing conversations with some of the family members about God's good purposes in all good and bad.
The question of "why do good things happen to bad people?" and "Why do bad things happen to good people?" has rung in my head continuously for the past week. It is SUCH a hard question to answer as a Christian, especially in an age like this where earthquakes and cyclones kill thousands and millions are sold into slavery without consent. What do you do with that, you know? But through this situation and others, I am reminded so much of God's much, much higher understanding of the world and the way it works and has made it self to be. When Joseph's brothers came to him in sorrow and apology after putting him through decades of slavery and suffering, Joseph's famous response was, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good to bring it about that many people should be kept alive as they are today. (Genesis 50:20)" So my answer to those questions, well, it's "I don't know." But, here's what I do know. God is so good. And God will love us, work in us, and through us, despite us.
Some extra shots...
Dinner at the Ueno's
Students
Food Bingo
Fellow Methods and Materials classmates - remember that game we plated where Dr. Crosby read the text and we had to run back and forth to remember what he was reading - try doing that in Nihongo!
Well friends and family. The next couple days are CRAZY! The American team of 12 from Swanton, OH fly in tomorrow at noon for the English camp this weekend. Please be praying for that and that the Gospel would somehow be communicated. And for myself... as I scramble aorund to plan 3 hours of lesson plans...
Off to my ofuro! *sigh*
Hannah
As I wait for my ofuro (Japanese bath - the best everrr), here are some updaties. Umm... let me think...
It's been a pretty kick-butt week so far. Monday especially! Toshi, for some reason, was invited to this special gathering for Nikkei lawyers for a book premier that some lawyers and such wrote on the Japanese-Brazilians, The Nikkei of Brazil (and I of course bought one, despite it's Portuguese penmanship). So I tagged along, and let's just say I was pretty under dressed. It was this fancy shmancy thing with a bunch of high up government people and lawyers with sushi and sake. I got my book signed by the editor, one of the authors, and even the Japanese Ambassador! One of the lawyers there invited me to a special luncheon on Sunday, but I can't go because of English Camp. But hey, I got invited. I won't lie, those gray haired men loved me!
Miss Nikkei Centennario of Brasilia
The 3rd guy from the left is the one who invited me to the luncheon. If you notice, he has a metal on his coat, given to him by the Japanese Emperor for his work and studies on the Nikkei.
Tuesday morning Toshi, Hiroko and I went out for homon (home visiting) again. This time, we visited a very prominent character in Brasilia, Mrs. Fumiko Kanegai. Her and her family were one of the 5 families specifically asked by the president in 1960 to farm the dry ground of newly established Brasilia. He woul dnot allow anyone but Japanese to farm there. It was amazing to hear her story of coming to Brazil as a child, teaching herself portuguese, experiencing the aftermath of WWII, and being a part a creating the very strong Nikkei Farming community in Brasilia. Some historical facts for ya: When Japan surrendered, most Japanese living in Brazil refused to believe that Japan had lost because so much of their self-identity and pride came from their home country. Fumiko was on the side of kachigumi - the winners, as opposed to the makegumi. There were many many fights an killings during that time between the sides. Today, prewar and postwar immigrants are drastically different in thought and lifestyle. I think that a part of her still believes that Japan won...
Backing up a bit to Sunday... Pastor Toshi was given this great evangelism opportunity by a former Japanese school student who quit because she is pregnant with her first. She asked Toshi to come to their family gathering (about 40 people) to deliver a message. Most of her family are non-believers. Well, here's the sad story. Harumi, the former student was informed by the doctors that the child would be born very sick and die shortly after birth. This tore the family up into confusion. But, praise the Lord, the doctors have found that the baby will actually be born normal. So, to share the good news, Harumi gathered her family together on Sunday afternoon and asked Toshi to use the situation for an encouraging message. It was so touching to see a broken family come together in unity, celebration and thanksgiving toward a God that they previously never noticed. As far as I know, one family has committed to coming to our church, and I had some amazing conversations with some of the family members about God's good purposes in all good and bad.
The question of "why do good things happen to bad people?" and "Why do bad things happen to good people?" has rung in my head continuously for the past week. It is SUCH a hard question to answer as a Christian, especially in an age like this where earthquakes and cyclones kill thousands and millions are sold into slavery without consent. What do you do with that, you know? But through this situation and others, I am reminded so much of God's much, much higher understanding of the world and the way it works and has made it self to be. When Joseph's brothers came to him in sorrow and apology after putting him through decades of slavery and suffering, Joseph's famous response was, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good to bring it about that many people should be kept alive as they are today. (Genesis 50:20)" So my answer to those questions, well, it's "I don't know." But, here's what I do know. God is so good. And God will love us, work in us, and through us, despite us.
Some extra shots...
Dinner at the Ueno's
Students
Food Bingo
Fellow Methods and Materials classmates - remember that game we plated where Dr. Crosby read the text and we had to run back and forth to remember what he was reading - try doing that in Nihongo!
Well friends and family. The next couple days are CRAZY! The American team of 12 from Swanton, OH fly in tomorrow at noon for the English camp this weekend. Please be praying for that and that the Gospel would somehow be communicated. And for myself... as I scramble aorund to plan 3 hours of lesson plans...
Off to my ofuro! *sigh*
Hannah
Saturday, June 7
Abandoned First Love
I fell in love again yesterday. No, not with a Brazilian. My first love, Jesus Christ. iTunes was playing on random last night and I stumbled upon an old favorite by Jars of Clay "Worlds Apart."
I am the only one to blame for this
Somehow it all ends up the same
Soaring on the wings of selfish pride
I flew too high and like Icarus I collide
With a world I try so hard to leave behind
To rid myself of all but love
to give and die
Can I be the one to sacrifice
Or grip the spear and watch the blood and water flow
All said and done I stand alone
Amongst remains of a life I should not own
It takes all I am to believe
In the mercy that covers me
I look beyond the empty cross
forgetting what my life has cost
and wipe away the crimson stains
and dull the nails that still remain
More and more I need you now,
I owe you more each passing hour
the battle between grace and pride
I gave up not so long ago
So steal my heart and take the pain
and wash the feet and cleanse my pride
take the selfish, take the weak,
and all the things I cannot hide
take the beauty, take my tears
the sin-soaked heart and make it yours
take my world all apart
take it now, take it now
and serve the ones that I despise
speak the words I can't deny
watch the world I used to love
fall to dust and thrown away
I look beyond the empty cross
forgetting what my life has cost
so wipe away the crimson stains
and dull the nails that still remain
so steal my heart and take the pain
take the selfish, take the weak
and all the things I cannot hide
take the beauty, take my tears
take my world apart, take my world apart
I pray, I pray, I pray
take my world apart
I realize that the only fuel I'll have for a life of ministry is the fuel that the beloved Son provides. No husband, child, hobby, or friend will measure up to the fulfillment that Christ has given me thus far. I am overwhelmed by this feeling sometimes. There have been times where I am clouded with worries of tomorrow. There are days where I ponder upon all the hard questions about God that I may never find an answer to in this life time. But somehow, this undeserved love I receive everyday produces this faith that assures me. "Hannah, I never said that it would be easy, I only said you'd never go alone."
I've been reading through Acts, and came upon the part where Paul was in Ephesus and he was about to depart from them (Ch. 20). His farwell message was rich in urges for them to shepherd their congregation well to and to stay doctrinally pure. The book of Ephesians even opens with another reminder to take good care of the body of Christ in feeding, resting, directing, and applying. But then you turn to Revelations 2 in the seven letters to the churches, and God has this message for them:
"I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first."
My prayer for myself and for all people in the field of ministry, that despite all the toil, work, and effort, we would never fall into the lie that work is what wins the favor of our merciful God. I pray that we would remind ourselves daily of why we do what we do, and that is because Jesus who took on our inadequacy to work toward salvation, our depravity and sin and conquered it all with death on a cross. That's what's getting me through this summer. I hope the same for you...
Here are the shots I promised in the last blog:
We were given these half sheets of origami and we were told to put our wish on it.
Then they proceeded to give us instructions on how to fold them.
They're so you can connect them. They're collecting like a million of these to create a huge Japanese-Brazilian flag.
I got a little bored...
Connect like so...
We were occupied with assorted performances too. This was the least of the cheesy ones.
Pray for me tonight as I speak to the youth group. Just like American youth, they're pretty aimless and live two different lives in and out of church.
Ate Mais!
Hanny
I am the only one to blame for this
Somehow it all ends up the same
Soaring on the wings of selfish pride
I flew too high and like Icarus I collide
With a world I try so hard to leave behind
To rid myself of all but love
to give and die
To turn away and not become
Another nail to pierce the skin of one who loves
more deeply than the oceans,
more abundant than the tears
Of a world embracing every heartache
Another nail to pierce the skin of one who loves
more deeply than the oceans,
more abundant than the tears
Of a world embracing every heartache
Can I be the one to sacrifice
Or grip the spear and watch the blood and water flow
Take my world apart
I am on my knees
Take my world apart
Broken on my knees
I am on my knees
Take my world apart
Broken on my knees
All said and done I stand alone
Amongst remains of a life I should not own
It takes all I am to believe
In the mercy that covers me
Did you really have to die for me?
All I am for all you are
Because what I need and what I believe are worlds apart
All I am for all you are
Because what I need and what I believe are worlds apart
I look beyond the empty cross
forgetting what my life has cost
and wipe away the crimson stains
and dull the nails that still remain
More and more I need you now,
I owe you more each passing hour
the battle between grace and pride
I gave up not so long ago
So steal my heart and take the pain
and wash the feet and cleanse my pride
take the selfish, take the weak,
and all the things I cannot hide
take the beauty, take my tears
the sin-soaked heart and make it yours
take my world all apart
take it now, take it now
and serve the ones that I despise
speak the words I can't deny
watch the world I used to love
fall to dust and thrown away
I look beyond the empty cross
forgetting what my life has cost
so wipe away the crimson stains
and dull the nails that still remain
so steal my heart and take the pain
take the selfish, take the weak
and all the things I cannot hide
take the beauty, take my tears
take my world apart, take my world apart
I pray, I pray, I pray
take my world apart
I realize that the only fuel I'll have for a life of ministry is the fuel that the beloved Son provides. No husband, child, hobby, or friend will measure up to the fulfillment that Christ has given me thus far. I am overwhelmed by this feeling sometimes. There have been times where I am clouded with worries of tomorrow. There are days where I ponder upon all the hard questions about God that I may never find an answer to in this life time. But somehow, this undeserved love I receive everyday produces this faith that assures me. "Hannah, I never said that it would be easy, I only said you'd never go alone."
I've been reading through Acts, and came upon the part where Paul was in Ephesus and he was about to depart from them (Ch. 20). His farwell message was rich in urges for them to shepherd their congregation well to and to stay doctrinally pure. The book of Ephesians even opens with another reminder to take good care of the body of Christ in feeding, resting, directing, and applying. But then you turn to Revelations 2 in the seven letters to the churches, and God has this message for them:
"I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first."
My prayer for myself and for all people in the field of ministry, that despite all the toil, work, and effort, we would never fall into the lie that work is what wins the favor of our merciful God. I pray that we would remind ourselves daily of why we do what we do, and that is because Jesus who took on our inadequacy to work toward salvation, our depravity and sin and conquered it all with death on a cross. That's what's getting me through this summer. I hope the same for you...
Here are the shots I promised in the last blog:
We were given these half sheets of origami and we were told to put our wish on it.
Then they proceeded to give us instructions on how to fold them.
They're so you can connect them. They're collecting like a million of these to create a huge Japanese-Brazilian flag.
I got a little bored...
Connect like so...
We were occupied with assorted performances too. This was the least of the cheesy ones.
Pray for me tonight as I speak to the youth group. Just like American youth, they're pretty aimless and live two different lives in and out of church.
Ate Mais!
Hanny
Thursday, June 5
Brazil: A Buffet of Religion
Hey friends-
Just a quick entry today. I have updates that you could be praying for..
Yesterday I went to a ´`Centennial Origami`` ceremony honoring the important Nikkei characters in Brasilia (like politicians and professors). It was an unbelievably long ordeal of 3 hours. But the idea was cool... I´ll post some shots later, I´m not on my laptop right now where I can access my pics.
ANYWAY, on the bus going to the event, I had an interesting encounter. The second stop for the bus was the group from the Seicho-no-ie temple. Here´s where I need your prayers. A 3rd generation lady sat next to me by the name of Elizabeth. We had a long conversation about her beliefs and practices. Seicho-no-ie is a new Japanese religion, brought to Brazil in 1930 and has exploded in popularity since. 80% of the followers are Brazilians, while the rest are Japanese. I sitll have yet to do my research on it, but from the looks of it and with my previous knowledge, I know that it is very New Age. They believe that God created all things to be good and man made it evil (good so far..). But I think it is very Deistic in the sense that God has no involvement in salvation, but man saves themselves through practice and reading of their many scriptures. All sickness is healed and pain is relieved when one can fix their heart and soul, or from the inside out.
I invited Elizabeth to come to our speech contest at the end of the month, and she was extremely interested. But, she can´t go becasue of previous appointments with her temple... so please pray that maybe she would cancel those plans to come to this event so I can continue our conversation. Seicho-no-ie is one of many, many religions that Brazilians practice. Even worse, the Brazilian mindset is that it is acceptable to mix and match. So the Brazilian will be Catholic by name, and practice spiritism, Seicho-no-ie, Buddhism, Hinudism, Mormanism, you name it. The pattern I´ve seen is that they take our the ´good stuff´that benefits them (like healing sickness and adding wealth), and there is never any love for God or a realization of his soverignty. You may have heard stuff like, ´oh... Brazil´s already so evangelized...´eh... not so much. The Prtoestant church has gained a terrible repuation in Brazil becasue the Prosperity Gospel and Neo-Pentecostalism (money suckers) has been so heavily taught, that church is seen as hypocrites that say you´ll be rich, but people obviously aren´t so rich in Brazil... continue to pray for the really messed up spiritual state of Brazil.
One more for you. Today Pastor Toshi, Hiroko, and I went around the farmlands to do some home visits with the 1st generation Japanese (OLD people). They do this on a regular basis. The first lady, Koyama-san had been reading a Bible that Toshi and Hiroko had given her. I believe she has been Buddhist up until this point, but I was amazed to see her deep thought and interest in the Word. She has been reading the Bible in order, being at the point of I and II Kings and was intrigued as to why humanity was always in wars and having bad Kings. We were able to explain to her that that portion of the Bible, although is redundant and ``boring,`` is there to prove humanity´s depravity. It was when Isreal was disobendient to the law and went their own way, creating their own god´s and making their own riches that they were conquered and defeated. Man can do nothing without God was the message we gave to her.
Koyama-san came to Brazil in 1959, and moved to Brasilia in 1960 when the city was first established to work the farmland. The Japanse were specifically asked to come farm the dry, unfertile ground of Brasilia because they had gained the reputation of being excellent farmers. So, she has been on the same land, in the same house ever since. She expressed her frustration with the current generation on the world being spoiled, having everything handed to them, and she took this frustration to a realization that all is God´s and all is given to us by Him, so we should be so much more thankful for all that we have. I was inspired by her deep thought, and I can´t wait until she gets to the part about God loving us depsite our selfish ways and therefore sending a cool guy named Jesus to save us from our depravity. Please pray that her very straight path to salvation would not be hindered or blocked.
So Obama and Hilary are teamin´ up huh? God Bless America...
Eu te amo!
Hannah
Just a quick entry today. I have updates that you could be praying for..
Yesterday I went to a ´`Centennial Origami`` ceremony honoring the important Nikkei characters in Brasilia (like politicians and professors). It was an unbelievably long ordeal of 3 hours. But the idea was cool... I´ll post some shots later, I´m not on my laptop right now where I can access my pics.
ANYWAY, on the bus going to the event, I had an interesting encounter. The second stop for the bus was the group from the Seicho-no-ie temple. Here´s where I need your prayers. A 3rd generation lady sat next to me by the name of Elizabeth. We had a long conversation about her beliefs and practices. Seicho-no-ie is a new Japanese religion, brought to Brazil in 1930 and has exploded in popularity since. 80% of the followers are Brazilians, while the rest are Japanese. I sitll have yet to do my research on it, but from the looks of it and with my previous knowledge, I know that it is very New Age. They believe that God created all things to be good and man made it evil (good so far..). But I think it is very Deistic in the sense that God has no involvement in salvation, but man saves themselves through practice and reading of their many scriptures. All sickness is healed and pain is relieved when one can fix their heart and soul, or from the inside out.
I invited Elizabeth to come to our speech contest at the end of the month, and she was extremely interested. But, she can´t go becasue of previous appointments with her temple... so please pray that maybe she would cancel those plans to come to this event so I can continue our conversation. Seicho-no-ie is one of many, many religions that Brazilians practice. Even worse, the Brazilian mindset is that it is acceptable to mix and match. So the Brazilian will be Catholic by name, and practice spiritism, Seicho-no-ie, Buddhism, Hinudism, Mormanism, you name it. The pattern I´ve seen is that they take our the ´good stuff´that benefits them (like healing sickness and adding wealth), and there is never any love for God or a realization of his soverignty. You may have heard stuff like, ´oh... Brazil´s already so evangelized...´eh... not so much. The Prtoestant church has gained a terrible repuation in Brazil becasue the Prosperity Gospel and Neo-Pentecostalism (money suckers) has been so heavily taught, that church is seen as hypocrites that say you´ll be rich, but people obviously aren´t so rich in Brazil... continue to pray for the really messed up spiritual state of Brazil.
One more for you. Today Pastor Toshi, Hiroko, and I went around the farmlands to do some home visits with the 1st generation Japanese (OLD people). They do this on a regular basis. The first lady, Koyama-san had been reading a Bible that Toshi and Hiroko had given her. I believe she has been Buddhist up until this point, but I was amazed to see her deep thought and interest in the Word. She has been reading the Bible in order, being at the point of I and II Kings and was intrigued as to why humanity was always in wars and having bad Kings. We were able to explain to her that that portion of the Bible, although is redundant and ``boring,`` is there to prove humanity´s depravity. It was when Isreal was disobendient to the law and went their own way, creating their own god´s and making their own riches that they were conquered and defeated. Man can do nothing without God was the message we gave to her.
Koyama-san came to Brazil in 1959, and moved to Brasilia in 1960 when the city was first established to work the farmland. The Japanse were specifically asked to come farm the dry, unfertile ground of Brasilia because they had gained the reputation of being excellent farmers. So, she has been on the same land, in the same house ever since. She expressed her frustration with the current generation on the world being spoiled, having everything handed to them, and she took this frustration to a realization that all is God´s and all is given to us by Him, so we should be so much more thankful for all that we have. I was inspired by her deep thought, and I can´t wait until she gets to the part about God loving us depsite our selfish ways and therefore sending a cool guy named Jesus to save us from our depravity. Please pray that her very straight path to salvation would not be hindered or blocked.
So Obama and Hilary are teamin´ up huh? God Bless America...
Eu te amo!
Hannah
Tuesday, June 3
Suffering for Jesus in Brazil
I partly understand why Eve gave into picking the apple off the tree... something about picking fruit directly off of a tree is very pleasing.... ok. That might be a little different... But I have been introduced to fruits I've never even heard of since coming to Brazil! We went to the home of Harumi and Louise for lunch yesterday, and just walking around their yard, I could pick bananas, aceloras (sweet/sour cherry-ish), panhas, lemons and coconuts. There was even baby watermelon growing out of the ground because their son Filipe had spit a seed in the yard! I had a little snack in their back yard while waiting for lunch...
bananas
watermelon "weed"
panhas - can't really describe them to you... good!
aceloras - we picked them and made juice for lunch
My first coconut water drink!
There were four weiners running around too...
This is the sky, everyday, I've never been so mesmerized by CLOUDS before... I find myself finding animals in the sky like the old days...
But in all seriousness, it's been overwhelming how kind people have been here. I've been invited for lunch and dinner by so so many people already, and I'm so encouraged to be invited into the homes of people be told of their histories and lives. My mom always told me that as a baby, I never played with toys, but I just watched people. I hope this doesn't sound stalker creepy, but I love nothing more than sitting down with someone new and hearing their story and getting a peak into their daily life. God truly lives in all people... I encourage you to look for him in everyone around you, he's there! I praise the Lord for the Christian community that he has blessed me with because it is the blood of Christ that puts me in connection with my brothers and sisters in Christ! I hope to be able to say the same with many new people here in Brazil...
On Sunday after church, I attended a Japanese cultural festival and Curso Module, one of the bigger Japanese language schools in Brasilia. Yakisoba (fried noodles)... kimonos... yukatas... dancing.. ikebana (Japanese flower arranging)... We had a room to post our school's information too. I met a professor from U. of Brasilia and asked me to come in to discuss anthropological topics on Japanese-Brazilians! I'm a nerd, but sweeeet!
Ladies dancing to the Centennial Immigration theme song
Kimono fashion show
essays written various students
In the morning I of course went to Nucleo Bandereinte Alliance Church and in the evening to Riache Fundo Alliance Church. Although Most of the services are in Portuguese, it is so cool to see three different languages coming together to worship the same God. That truly proves how big God really is. I love how church is done here in Brasilia. It's been so long since I've seen church done in community and fellowship. Both churches have less than 100 members, but it's the quality, not the quantity that matters. It warms my soul to see the church leaders having to boot people out the door to turn off the lights and lock the gate, and they still continue their after-church fellowship in the dark cold for another 30 minutes - as opposed to the American mega-church where you never see the same person twice in a month and the parking lot is empty in 5 minutes. There is an air or unity and support here and I wish it was easier to find that at home..
This week is pretty much the same schedule... went to like 6 English schools today... 3-4 classrooms each to promote the English camp next weekend. Tomorrow's another day of teaching Japanese and critiquing speeches, and Thursday I'll be visiting individual homes of the elderly. Be praying that the seeds sown in the classroom will be sown on fertile ground rather than rocky ground. I may have mentioned earlier but most of the students come from non-Christian families and many broken homes. As teachers, we believe in faith that although we don't see the immediate fruits of our labor, 20 years down the line, the students will remember our talk and mention of Jesus and cling to that memory...
Brazilian kids = bonita
Thanks again... bed time! Oyasuminasai (g'nite!)
bananas
watermelon "weed"
panhas - can't really describe them to you... good!
aceloras - we picked them and made juice for lunch
My first coconut water drink!
There were four weiners running around too...
This is the sky, everyday, I've never been so mesmerized by CLOUDS before... I find myself finding animals in the sky like the old days...
But in all seriousness, it's been overwhelming how kind people have been here. I've been invited for lunch and dinner by so so many people already, and I'm so encouraged to be invited into the homes of people be told of their histories and lives. My mom always told me that as a baby, I never played with toys, but I just watched people. I hope this doesn't sound stalker creepy, but I love nothing more than sitting down with someone new and hearing their story and getting a peak into their daily life. God truly lives in all people... I encourage you to look for him in everyone around you, he's there! I praise the Lord for the Christian community that he has blessed me with because it is the blood of Christ that puts me in connection with my brothers and sisters in Christ! I hope to be able to say the same with many new people here in Brazil...
On Sunday after church, I attended a Japanese cultural festival and Curso Module, one of the bigger Japanese language schools in Brasilia. Yakisoba (fried noodles)... kimonos... yukatas... dancing.. ikebana (Japanese flower arranging)... We had a room to post our school's information too. I met a professor from U. of Brasilia and asked me to come in to discuss anthropological topics on Japanese-Brazilians! I'm a nerd, but sweeeet!
Ladies dancing to the Centennial Immigration theme song
Kimono fashion show
essays written various students
In the morning I of course went to Nucleo Bandereinte Alliance Church and in the evening to Riache Fundo Alliance Church. Although Most of the services are in Portuguese, it is so cool to see three different languages coming together to worship the same God. That truly proves how big God really is. I love how church is done here in Brasilia. It's been so long since I've seen church done in community and fellowship. Both churches have less than 100 members, but it's the quality, not the quantity that matters. It warms my soul to see the church leaders having to boot people out the door to turn off the lights and lock the gate, and they still continue their after-church fellowship in the dark cold for another 30 minutes - as opposed to the American mega-church where you never see the same person twice in a month and the parking lot is empty in 5 minutes. There is an air or unity and support here and I wish it was easier to find that at home..
This week is pretty much the same schedule... went to like 6 English schools today... 3-4 classrooms each to promote the English camp next weekend. Tomorrow's another day of teaching Japanese and critiquing speeches, and Thursday I'll be visiting individual homes of the elderly. Be praying that the seeds sown in the classroom will be sown on fertile ground rather than rocky ground. I may have mentioned earlier but most of the students come from non-Christian families and many broken homes. As teachers, we believe in faith that although we don't see the immediate fruits of our labor, 20 years down the line, the students will remember our talk and mention of Jesus and cling to that memory...
Brazilian kids = bonita
Thanks again... bed time! Oyasuminasai (g'nite!)
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