There was a teacher field trip today. We went to Kyushu to the newly built National Museum, which is sort of like a Smithsonian building. There were lots of pieces of display that are important to Japanese history. For example, gold inkons from China that refer to Japan were on display. These inkons are the first artifact that Japan has of being an independent nation. Appartently, a picture of these inkons is the first picture you would see in a Japanese history textbook. The museum has just recently opened and the place as packed with wall to wall people. Thankfully, I was taller than most of the people there and could see things by looking over their heads. However, if you wanted to see something you basically had to push and shove your way to the glass. It was insain! Getting a glimspe of the Monsa Lisa in the Louvre was a much less dangerous task!

In one of the glass cases there were artifacts from the era when Christians were persecuted and martyred. There were plaques and crosses that officials would place on the ground. Those who wanted to keep their lives would have to deny Christ by standing on them, spitting on them, etc. Those who refused to deny their identity in Christ were killed. Wow, it was powerful to see! How thankful I am to be able to worship freely today; however, not all people around the world as fortunate. It was a good reminder to be in prayer for the persecuted church.

For supper we went to a fancy place. The first course was sashimi, raw fish. The first question everyone asks foreigners is, "Can you eat sashimi?" I just have to laugh a little because they ask it like it's a physical impossiblity for some people. Of course, I can eat it but that doesn't mean I necessarily like it. There were several other courses of cooked fish and seafood (salmon, shrimp, etc.). We also had chicken, rice, and miso soup. There was even a dainty piece of dessert at the end, which was about the size of a small matchbook. By the end of the meal I was satisfied and pleasantly full. During this meal I also learned that it is the responsibility of everyone to make sure that people's glasses are filled with alcohol. If someone sitting next to you has an empty glass, it's your job to fill their glass. Interesting...

My first Japanese lesson! Tonight Yuki came over to teach me some Japanese:) She doesn't speak much English and I don't really speak any Japanese, so it's a great combination! We had lots of fun together laughing and trying to figure out what we were trying to say. Yuki is 23 and lives near my apartment, so it's very convenient to get totgether. She taught me how to make green tea with loose leaves and left me with many food gifts. I hope that this is a start to a good friendship. She is a very brave person to try to teach me. Her and her family have also shown some interest in church, so this could also be a great ministry opportunity. May God lead us as we go forth!

Linda and I went to Chofu, which is a section of Shimonoseki. It is a beautiful place and has a quaintness to it. First we went to a Japanese garden. It was inbetween seasons but it was still lovely. Such a peaceful and reflective place!

At the garden, there was a hunchbacked lady who was slowly moving along the stone path. When she saw me she her pace quickened and she headed directly for me and motioning to Linda. We thought she wanted to take a picture of Linda and I together, but no, she wanted a picture with me. She comes just a little above my waist but wrapped her arms around me and gave a big grin for the picture! I saw her once again as she was leaving the garden with her daughters. Her smile appeared again as she waved goodbye to me.

Linda and I also went to a couple of temples and shrines. Some of the architecture is beautiful and fits in so well with natures background. It is also sad to see people worshipping different gods and paying for fortunes. At these places it was my constant prayer that they would discover the One, true God who wants to pour out His blessing on them.

For lunch we had okonomiyaki, which has been described as a cabbage pizza or pancake. You mix egg, cabbage, and other vegetables with other things such as meat. That goes on a griddle that is in the center of the table and you flip to make sure that it's cooked evenly. Next goes the toppings: an oyster sauce, seaweed flakes, and fish flakes. To top it all off you put mayonnaise or a combo of mayo and horseradish sauce on it. It is oyshi (delicious)! Today I had a cheese and mochi okonomiyaki. Mochi is rice pounded into little balls or squares. It has a gooey and string cheese consistancy and is fairly tasteless. It is starting to grow on me.

On this beautiful fall day, it was nice to spend it walking and enjoying the outdoors. It is getting cooler and cooler here. It seems like more blankets come out every night, just in case.

Tonight I went out with friends to a Korean restaurant. They bring the raw meat that you order to your table, and you cook it on a grill that is in the center of your table. We had a great time together and I ate lots of different foods. Here is a sample: cow heart, cow tongue, cow liver, cow tail soup, and pig intestine. I've never eaten so many different parts of a cow! Out of this selection I would say that the best was the cow's heart.

Then we headed to karaoke. At the end of our two hour segment my voice starting to go. Five of us were in a little room with a booth and karaoke machine. Thankfully these places have an English section, so we are actually able to choose songs that we know. If you are ever in Japan, this is something that you have to try! It becomes addicting!

As leaves are starting to change colors and I hear the rustle of leaves drifting by my door, I realize it’s been a while since I’ve written. I am doing well and in somewhat of a routine. Everyday this place feels more and more like home. I recognize people on my morning walk to school, I know where things are located in the grocery store, I’ve discovered what some signs mean, and I’m getting used to not understanding 90% of what goes on around me;)

I am also amazed at how willing people are to communicate with me regardless of how much (or little) English they know. They often apologize for not being able to speak English, and I am quick to reply that I should be the one apologizing for not knowing Japanese. If only we were as willing to use the little bit of Spanish (or any other language) we know to communicate with people…

In the past month and a half I’ve had the opportunity to experience many different things! I’ve seen more of the beautiful place I live in, walked underneath the ocean, received my first “real” paycheck, been to another island (Kyushu), eaten dip’n dots and pork on a stick, seen a Confederate flag, climbed a castle, walked through fields of flowers, worshipped in English, slurped noodles with students, etc.

I am now teaching on my own and enjoying it. I have one class of middle schoolers that are frustrating at times, but other than that it’s going well. I even have a couple of students who ask for extra homework—amazing! It is so rewarding to be able to work with students and see when it clicks and the light turns on.

Right now I am in the process of finding a church. I would really appreciate your prayers! I’ve been to just about all of the churches in this area that I know about. At this time I don’t feel clearly led to any one place. I’m praying that God would reveal to me where He wants me to be.

While having a writing workshop with my class of seniors we heard a loud crash. It sounded like someone had push a case of books down the stairs. Of course, we went to investigate and discovered that next door in the girls bathroom part of the ceiling had collasped. One of the metal fan was hanging by its wires. Thankfully there were some Japanese teachers that came running as well and were able to report it to the appropriate people. For the rest of class students would look up ever so often to make sure the ceiling wasn't going to fall on them;)

Today I went to a flower festival with friends. The train ride followed the coast and had some beautiful views. It was fun to be "out in the country" for a while. The flowers were gorgeous! There were fields of purple, pink, and white cosmos flowers and the backdrop consisted of mountains. The conji for cosmos translates into "fall cherry blossom."

The weather was perfect for a day at the park. Lots and lots of cute kids were with their parents and grandparents. People sat in the green grass with picnic lunches and talked and relaxed together. It was very refreshing to see this part of family life and people enjoying each other.

For me, lunch consisted of pork on a stick, grilled corn-on-the-cob (with soysauce), and takoyaki (octopus in a fried batter). It was all very good and the food reminded me of county and state fairs in the States.

There was also a flea market, where I saw a sight I never would have anticipated in Japan. Flying above all else was a Confederate flag! I took a picture of it to document "One of the top ten things I never thought I'd see in Japan," and the owner started talking to me. He had spent some time in Hawaii and bought it at a market there. He didn't have a great grasp on what the flag actually stood for besides that it had to do with southern states. It was an interesting discussion!

Pictures from the Flower Festival:
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I have a class of six 12th graders on Saturday who are absolutely wonderful! Today, I had a "noodle" lunch with them. In class, we were talking about slurping noodles and the differences in table etiquette between the US and Japan, so I decided it would be fun to do a hands on learning experience. They brought Japanese noodles (which we ate with chopsticks & slurped) and I found chicken noodle soup (which we ate with a spoon & no slurping). Now they get to write a paper on it for me:) We had a great time together!

One of my classes was really frustrating today. They are 8th graders but are more like 6th graders in maturity. (I figure that Japanese are at least 2 years behind Americans in maturity.) There isn't a discipline system here, at least not like in the States. They never go to the principal's office and you basically can't give them a final grade below a B. (If you do, people higher up in the system will force you to change it or change it themselves.) One girl refuses to do anything and others talk as they please throughout class. There are also issues of hitting each other, playing with hair, etc. This is hard enough to deal with something like this without adding a huge language barrier. I've been praying for guidance and to not be intimidated. 2 Timothy 1:7 keeps coming to mind: For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.

Today is October 1st so that means people switch from short sleeve shirts to long sleeves. The uniforms also are in a transition period. They have this week to wear either their summer or winter uniforms, but once next week rolls around everyone will be in their winter uniforms.