MeySen

Many are wondering what my job is here in Japan so I'll attempt to explain. The school I work at is called MeySen. It was founded over 40 years ago by some missionary families who were looking to start a business in order to raise funds for their ministries. As a group, they decided that a kindergarten would be the best option and so they began.
Now the school has grown into two main campuses and they have also created immersion, friend's club, high school, toddler,  software and production studio branches. They also have developed their own curriculum and it's being implemented in schools all over the world. It's very overwhelming and I don't fully understand how it all works, but the fact is that God has blessed this ministry. Many of the original family members are working and leading in these businesses. They are really special people and love these kids so much. It's pretty cool.

The school works hard to have beautiful campuses and a fun, loving environment. The playgrounds would be major liabilities in the States, but here it's OK:) The slides are seriously scary and steep. The kids have a lot of fun playing and running around before class. My goal is to give them a good time and tire them into submission. Ha!

My position is as a Friends Club Teacher. I teach elementary kids English in an after-school program. They each come three times a week to play for 25 minutes and then we have about a one hour class. In class we sing songs, listen to stories and recite poems and chants. There is no Japanese translation allowed, nor is it necessary. Kids can pick up English as it's used in context. It's really fun to see them communicate and succeed! MeySen is a Christian school, although most kids are not Christians. Teachers are allowed to share our faith and there are Bible lessons given throughout the year in Japanese. The 5th graders are given Bibles, too.

Here is a typical classroom. In Japan, the teachers share an office so we don't have desks in our classrooms. The classrooms are equipped with a microphone/headset so we don't lose our voices,  whiteboards, a computer with power point and cupboards to store teaching materials.

Also, here's a picture of a lobby area inside the classroom building. They have aquariums, fireplaces and places to sit and talk. It's really beautiful!  They also have stables on campus with horses, lambs and goats and cages with rabbits, guinea pigs and all kinds of animals for the kids to pet and play with.  Well, I hope this gives you and idea of where I am and what I'm up to. If you know of someone who would be interested in working here. Just let me know. They're always recruiting for teachers and interns! Also the website is www.meysen.ac.jp if you want to see more details.

Easter and the Fall

Easter was fun this year! I went to a church somewhere in the country with a local pastor and a group of coworkers. They had a live band for worship and we had translators to let us know what was being said. Afterward there was a nice potluck and they even had Easter eggs with Christian messages on them! Just like home:) Also some of the kids had made some kind of egg ornaments for a craft so a bunch of us got one of those, too. The head pastor had studied in Dallas so his English was really good and he was very welcoming. It felt so nice to be at an Easter service, although I missed my family on this day.

Then comes something I did on Wednesday (I think...the days are blurred), which was the day before classes started. A group of teachers and I went to a dollar store to get some supplies. Long story, short...I was mocking a friend as we walked and I didn't see the upcoming curb. Somehow, I made a slow but hard decent to the ground with all of my bags. I rolled my ankle and managed to bang up both knees/legs. At first everyone thought I was just sitting or joking, but oh no! It was the real deal and I nearly burst into tears. I couldn't get up for a bit and then needed help walking. Embarrassing, but it was funny and I know I deserved it. Here are some pictures documenting my battle wounds. I think God healed me quicker than normal, because I've been fine walking on it and riding my bike. It's still sore, but tolerable. Thank you, Lord!

First Day of School...kind of

Since I've been here, I've had about 2 months worth of training. This included learning new curriculum for about 6 different levels of proficiency, observing other teachers and practice teaching in a variety of classes for elementary kids. Today, however, was all me. Well, kind of.
There were people supporting me (and the other new teachers) left and right. They kept checking in and helping us with the kids. The day is done and I'm totally wiped out.  Mentally fried. To give you an example here's a quick story. We (the teachers) wave goodbye to the students as the buses leave. I was waving at a bus, it left and no other buses were behind it. However, I kept smiling and waving at random people in cars passing by. Thankfully my friend Ally noticed and rescued me. Thanks Ally!
This week has been tough and a lot has been thrown at me that I didn't anticipate. I think I'm really going to like this job, since I do already, but it will take time to get into my groove. Prayers lifted up would be appreciated.  My students seem to be good so far. No major problems occurred as a result of me. That, in and of itself, is success in my book.
The day ended as it should....with a congratulatory dinner at the local Mc Donald's. It was my first time going there since moving here, and I must say, it was amazing.  I'll be back!

My arrival and new corner in the world.

When I first got to Tokyo, they bused me and the other 10 or so new recruits up to Sendai. It took about 5 hours in an ice-cold, luggage and weary traveler-filled bus. I think we got in around midnight and I was totally exhausted & yet exhilarated to have finally arrived. We all got split up at different stops and finally it was my turn to be dropped off. A tiny Japanese woman & a white girl with a big smile took me and a few others in a van to our new homes.

I remember a red light bulb in the entryway of my building and thought it was kind of creepy. The little Japanese lady (small, but strong) was up to the third floor with my largest suitcase in no time at all. I could hardly keep up. She opened the door and my apartment was all warmed up, which is nice since there's no central heating in Japan and it was like 30 degrees outside. There were all kinds of preparations done; slippers waiting for me at the door, a hot water kettle ready for me to make tea with, my bed made and turned down and the fridge stocked with eggs, milk, bread, cheese and other basics. Wow! I was impressed! And grateful! This isn't all they did, but it gives you an idea of the care put
into making us comfortable in our new "places".

I only hope that my home can be a resting place for me and for others who visit. I love being in my little corner of the world. When I'm here, I'm at rest. I can have my quiet time with God, read my kindle, journal, take lovely baths, watch movies, listen to music, cook in my mini-kitchen and connect with loved ones online. It's ideal. I love it! Thank you Lord!

So for those who wonder what my home is like...I'll post some early pictures of the inside for now. I've decorated since but it's not clean now and, therefore, not ready for a photo shoot of any kind:) It's small, but it's really all that I need. What more can I ask for?

My first blog ever.

So I've been meaning to start a blog for years. I'm not sure why I haven't yet, but I suspect it's because I'm not sure how much time this will take. I have to think about the purpose of a blog and why I should or shouldn't do it. Being abroad again has motivated me to actually get to it! Also I just watched the movie "Julie and Julia" which also encouraged me to move ahead. lol!

As you may know, I'm back in Japan. Again. I hope the saying "the third time's a charm" applies to me here since this is round three for me in Japan. Why do I keep coming back? I never in a million years ever thought I would end up living here. I could see Italy in my future or someplace tropical, but not Japan. The strange thing is I really love it! It's like my second home. Don't get me wrong, it's not perfect nor am I. But it's comfortable for me and I like being here. For now, that's good enough for me.

So I will try to catch up on what's happened so far and continue on from there. This is a good start for today:)