I have lived through the day! The program went pretty well. I am sitting up in Lisa Sorley's apartment reliving the highlights of the day. There were a lot of people that came out for our final production. I have heard some good comments, so I guess I can say that it all went well.
I have been going since about 5 AM. It is now almost . . . 12:30 AM and I haven't exactly packed. I guess I need to go do that. I am having email difficulties, so hopefully this will serve to let my family know that . . . I am on my way! I leave here at 8 AM THIS morning, I guess. I have miles to go before I sleep! I have to keep this short!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
OH I FORGOT
Yesterday, I shared the wordless book salvation story with the kids. I gave the kids a chance to pray to give their lives to the Lord if they felt led to do so. Many students stood up and went out to talk/pray with their teachers! I don't know how many were first time prayers, or rededications, but I know many were led to pray. I praise God for that!
Early Morning, Thursday, June 19
Today is the day! It is the big production of our summer school program. We have been studying lines, learning songs, memorizing Bible Verses, "dancing" . . . You name it we have been working on it. In about 7 hours all of it will be over. I pray it all goes well.
Rehearsal yesterday left a lot to be desired, but that is the way dress rehearsals go, right? It was pure chaos and I think my blood pressure was probably elevated. I slept well though, so we'll give it a go again today. On a positive note, there is so much excitement among the kids about this. One little boy is BEGGING to rehearse more and more and more and more....every time I see him I have to ask him to go sit down (and he is in 4th grade.) They are all coming around - - even middle school! I have 4 BIG middle school boys who wanted to be in a choreography section. I thought that was neat. The kids love the songs, and the teachers have all commented how WE all wake up in the morning singing the songs. If nothing else, we all have those songs (which are scripture verses put to song) hidden in our hearts. That is success.
Um, let's see. Some of you know that I missed all day Tuesday here because I was home with that cold. I slept the day away and I do feel better now. I praise God for that.
On top of the program today is my last day on island. I fly out tomorrow, so I am trying to pack all of the last minute errands in. Some things just aren't going to get done. There is NOT enough time. The biggies on my list (and yes, most of them are food related) - I ate at Royal (several times), I had a `donut dog` and `donut fish`, I have walked around the neighborhood, I have been snorkeling, I have been to the beach, I bought out the 100 yen stores, I ate at Ghenkis Khan, I had Ube ice cream (sweet potato - blue), I saw a lot of former students . . . . I have tried to hit everything.
I don't know that I will be able to post pictures or update you on the performance until I get home (in early August.) I fly straight from Okinawa to Oklahoma to stay with some more friends/family from Okinawa. I know my day is completely packed from here on out, but I did burn a CD last night with some more pictures for you. Maybe I can find some time in between set - up today to share some with you.
Thank you all for your interest and your prayers as I was over here. This whole summer has been a blessing.
Rehearsal yesterday left a lot to be desired, but that is the way dress rehearsals go, right? It was pure chaos and I think my blood pressure was probably elevated. I slept well though, so we'll give it a go again today. On a positive note, there is so much excitement among the kids about this. One little boy is BEGGING to rehearse more and more and more and more....every time I see him I have to ask him to go sit down (and he is in 4th grade.) They are all coming around - - even middle school! I have 4 BIG middle school boys who wanted to be in a choreography section. I thought that was neat. The kids love the songs, and the teachers have all commented how WE all wake up in the morning singing the songs. If nothing else, we all have those songs (which are scripture verses put to song) hidden in our hearts. That is success.
Um, let's see. Some of you know that I missed all day Tuesday here because I was home with that cold. I slept the day away and I do feel better now. I praise God for that.
On top of the program today is my last day on island. I fly out tomorrow, so I am trying to pack all of the last minute errands in. Some things just aren't going to get done. There is NOT enough time. The biggies on my list (and yes, most of them are food related) - I ate at Royal (several times), I had a `donut dog` and `donut fish`, I have walked around the neighborhood, I have been snorkeling, I have been to the beach, I bought out the 100 yen stores, I ate at Ghenkis Khan, I had Ube ice cream (sweet potato - blue), I saw a lot of former students . . . . I have tried to hit everything.
I don't know that I will be able to post pictures or update you on the performance until I get home (in early August.) I fly straight from Okinawa to Oklahoma to stay with some more friends/family from Okinawa. I know my day is completely packed from here on out, but I did burn a CD last night with some more pictures for you. Maybe I can find some time in between set - up today to share some with you.
Thank you all for your interest and your prayers as I was over here. This whole summer has been a blessing.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
TC - AC (Monday, July 16)
Actually, we are no longer in any typhoon condition at all, and the sun is shining. I just really wanted to come over to write you on Saturday to say that we were in TC - AC - or tyhpoon condition, ALL CLEAR! The typhoon that hit us was called typhoon "Man-Yi". It was a category 4 typhoon and had some very damaging winds and rain. It hit later in the day on Thursday and whipped around very strong until Saturday Morning. On Friday we watched as trees out our window (way across the soccer field) snapped or were uprooted and thrown to the ground, the typhoon bars were vibrating and shaking like crazy, and the cars were shaking quite a bit too. We went out to play games at a neighbor's on Thursday afternoon, but found it rather hard to climb up the stairs. Of course, we didn't give up and made the trip fine.
Saturday morning, I got up early to try to do laundry (Can't do laundry during a typhoon because the washing machines are outside, taped shut.) I found that the laundry area was full of debris and salt water. I spent a while cleaning that out and spraying down windows. Shortly after that, I heard Max out with his chain saw. I spent the rest of the morning with some other teachers picking up sticks, trees, branches and debris. About noon it started to POUR rain, but gratefully we had done when we could by that time. Lisa and I went down to the sea wall for lunch. The waves were huge - when we could see them through the downpour! The roads were blocked by typhoon debris so traffic was pretty bad all day.
Sunday, sadly . . . I missed out on all the fun. I came down with a cold Saturday afternoon and spent most of the day in bed on Sunday. I spent the night at my friends home (Randy and Kathy Fagan) and I did go to church with them. However, after lunch they brought me back to their house where I slept ALL AFTERNOON. They went up to the pineapple factory without me. I was fine with that.
Today, I am feeling pretty congested still,and my throat still hurts, but I think the worst is over. The kids however, pushed me over the edge in music classes today. The 4th and 5th graders got quite a lecture from me. I almost cried I was so angry with them. They refuse to participate, or follow directions from anyone (not only me.) The 4th graders all wrote me very nice letters of apology. The 5th graders verbally said that they would do better, so we will see. Tomorrow is a new day. We only have 3 more days to learn this!!!! Time is running out, so they had better get their acts together. I will love them through this, but I will not allow them to insult God - and that was what pushed me over the edge today. Please continue to pray for them, and for us as we lead them. We need wisdom to reach these kids.
I will be sharing the "wordless book" for chapel in a couple of days. If you would be willing to pray that God will prepare the hearts of kids even now, and that those who are ready to receive salvation will do so . . . I would appreciate it. I think some kids are really thinking this summer.
Thanks for all your prayers. I cannot believe that I only have 4 days left. However, will I fit everything in my suitcase!
Saturday morning, I got up early to try to do laundry (Can't do laundry during a typhoon because the washing machines are outside, taped shut.) I found that the laundry area was full of debris and salt water. I spent a while cleaning that out and spraying down windows. Shortly after that, I heard Max out with his chain saw. I spent the rest of the morning with some other teachers picking up sticks, trees, branches and debris. About noon it started to POUR rain, but gratefully we had done when we could by that time. Lisa and I went down to the sea wall for lunch. The waves were huge - when we could see them through the downpour! The roads were blocked by typhoon debris so traffic was pretty bad all day.
Sunday, sadly . . . I missed out on all the fun. I came down with a cold Saturday afternoon and spent most of the day in bed on Sunday. I spent the night at my friends home (Randy and Kathy Fagan) and I did go to church with them. However, after lunch they brought me back to their house where I slept ALL AFTERNOON. They went up to the pineapple factory without me. I was fine with that.
Today, I am feeling pretty congested still,and my throat still hurts, but I think the worst is over. The kids however, pushed me over the edge in music classes today. The 4th and 5th graders got quite a lecture from me. I almost cried I was so angry with them. They refuse to participate, or follow directions from anyone (not only me.) The 4th graders all wrote me very nice letters of apology. The 5th graders verbally said that they would do better, so we will see. Tomorrow is a new day. We only have 3 more days to learn this!!!! Time is running out, so they had better get their acts together. I will love them through this, but I will not allow them to insult God - and that was what pushed me over the edge today. Please continue to pray for them, and for us as we lead them. We need wisdom to reach these kids.
I will be sharing the "wordless book" for chapel in a couple of days. If you would be willing to pray that God will prepare the hearts of kids even now, and that those who are ready to receive salvation will do so . . . I would appreciate it. I think some kids are really thinking this summer.
Thanks for all your prayers. I cannot believe that I only have 4 days left. However, will I fit everything in my suitcase!
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
TYPHOON HERE! - Thursday, July 12
The biggest news of the day is a looming typhoon. Actually it isn't looming so much anymore. We sent all the kids home today at noon because we are officially in TC-1 (typhoon condition 1 - - which means winds in excess of some high amount are expected in the next 12 hours.) If we enter TC-1C then the military bases all close. Our kids have to get back home before that happens, so they went home. We probably won't have school tomorrow either. I cannot tell you the name of this typhoon. The office ladies here are telling me it is "typhoon #4". I don't think it is supposed to be a super typhoon, but it is big. It is also headed to go straight over us. It might be a noisy night.
The other big news was that yesterday was my birthday here. I had a great day. The kids were great at school. After school, I went to the beach to buy a "donut dog" from the bus stand for lunch. They are really called "America Dog"s, - corn dogs, but they are especially sweet and crunch. I love them. After my extra special lunch, I tried to go snorkeling. We drove to two differend beachs and did try, but they were all stirred up and quite wavy. It was fun none-the-less. Then, that evening, a bunch of missionaires/visitors went with me to the "Sushi-Go-Round" down by the ferris wheel. While I was cautious and only ate cooked food, I enjoyed the sushi very much. Then, we went to play video games at the Dragon Palace, followed by ice cream . .. and the highlight of everything for me: KARAOKE! FUN FUN FUN! It was a great night.
Today at school the office ladies made me a birthday cake even. It has been very special!
Music classes are going very well. The 4th graders are extremely excited about the musical now. One boy asked me to come meet his mom, he was so excited to be a part of it. Thank you for praying. Please keep it up! Hopefully missing the one day of rehearsals won't be a problem for our performance next week.
I hope all is well with each of you. Things are great here. I will give you a typhoon report when it is done. As it is, we are all typhoonizing our rooms and getting things boarded up.
The other big news was that yesterday was my birthday here. I had a great day. The kids were great at school. After school, I went to the beach to buy a "donut dog" from the bus stand for lunch. They are really called "America Dog"s, - corn dogs, but they are especially sweet and crunch. I love them. After my extra special lunch, I tried to go snorkeling. We drove to two differend beachs and did try, but they were all stirred up and quite wavy. It was fun none-the-less. Then, that evening, a bunch of missionaires/visitors went with me to the "Sushi-Go-Round" down by the ferris wheel. While I was cautious and only ate cooked food, I enjoyed the sushi very much. Then, we went to play video games at the Dragon Palace, followed by ice cream . .. and the highlight of everything for me: KARAOKE! FUN FUN FUN! It was a great night.
Today at school the office ladies made me a birthday cake even. It has been very special!
Music classes are going very well. The 4th graders are extremely excited about the musical now. One boy asked me to come meet his mom, he was so excited to be a part of it. Thank you for praying. Please keep it up! Hopefully missing the one day of rehearsals won't be a problem for our performance next week.
I hope all is well with each of you. Things are great here. I will give you a typhoon report when it is done. As it is, we are all typhoonizing our rooms and getting things boarded up.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Monday, July 9
This is the first morning that I have had any time to collect my thoughts lately. The 2nd grade teacher has returned from the states and that has significantly lightened my work load. I spent all weekend (oh, I should say my free time this weekend) pulling together all of the loose ends of the musical and chapels. I have two choreography sessions planned, the solos are all asigned, drama parts have also been assigned, and the kids are starting to learn the songs. I worked with Lisa Sorley to try to establish some music classes for the individual grades as well. Tomorrow, I will begin my new music schedule.
Please continue to pray for the kids. I am getting a lot of resistance from the 4th, 5th, and middle school grades. They refuse to participate in chapel, and unfortunately, I just cannot attend to them AND all of the other grades at the same time. Pray that their teachers can reach them, and that perhaps when I have them in music class I will be able to connect with them and break down some of these barriers. The message the songs present is clear and Biblical. I pray that they won't harden their hearts to everything.
Last week flew by in a blur of activity. I cannot even recall any specific activities outside of school. I am sure I did something, but I am not sure what it is. I do know that on Saturday, Max Cruzado took some of us out on his boat to go snorkeling. We were going to go out to sand island to snorkel, but the waves were very bad. I had taken all of my seasickness medicine, but I wasn't as worried about snorkeling as I was about the fishing. We wouldn't have been driving nearly as far away, so getting sick didn't scare me as bad. The waves were worse, but I decided not to worry. Max said that the waves were too bad to boat out to sand island, so he took us up to Maeda Point on the boat. I had a great time, but about halfway there (after a wave crashed over the top of the boat drenching all of us) I wandered back to Max saying, "Max, these waves are bigger than 2 meters!!!" I am not so sure he appreciated my commentary at the time, but I decided to trust him. (I didn't share with the others on the boat that he had told me before that it wasn't safe for the boat with waves bigger than 2 meters) We rocked and rolled along the coast of Okianwa - barely making it by Zampa point, in my opinion, but then we entered the calmer seas near Maeda. It was great. Unfortunately, everone in the boat with the exception of me and Max felt woozy at one time or another (two people becoming quite ill!) I felt great and had a blast. Max warned us that the waves would be worse heading home, but it was fun.
When we got back, Max allowed me to help him with the boat. There was an ocean Matsuri on Sunday, so he wanted to get the boat out of the port. We sent home all of the other people, and then used the trailor to get the boat out. I was able to drive his van a few times and I even drove and connected it to the trailor! Once we got it out of the water we washed it off up at school. I enjoyed every moment.
Then, that evening, Max, Aidy, and Hazel invited Kathleen and I over to their place for dinner. As always, the food and conversation was wonderful. For those of you who haven't met the Cruzados, they are very special people to everyone at OCSI. Max is our head maintenance man and Aidy teaches K4 at school. When I first got here (10 years ago), they were the first people to greet me and make me feel welcome. They gave me a ride to church for almost the first year that I was on island. They feel like family to me, so I especially enjoyed the night.
Sunday, I went to THREE church services. I used to think 2 was a lot, but I packed in a third one this week! The morning consisted of chapel 2 on Kadena, followed by Central Baptist. After church a whole crew of people met for lunch at Obligato. Then, Lisa and I worked out summer school detiails before we left for Calvary Chapel that evening. Trevor Raichura was speaking, so it was fun to go and hear all of that.
Please continue to pray for the kids. I am getting a lot of resistance from the 4th, 5th, and middle school grades. They refuse to participate in chapel, and unfortunately, I just cannot attend to them AND all of the other grades at the same time. Pray that their teachers can reach them, and that perhaps when I have them in music class I will be able to connect with them and break down some of these barriers. The message the songs present is clear and Biblical. I pray that they won't harden their hearts to everything.
Last week flew by in a blur of activity. I cannot even recall any specific activities outside of school. I am sure I did something, but I am not sure what it is. I do know that on Saturday, Max Cruzado took some of us out on his boat to go snorkeling. We were going to go out to sand island to snorkel, but the waves were very bad. I had taken all of my seasickness medicine, but I wasn't as worried about snorkeling as I was about the fishing. We wouldn't have been driving nearly as far away, so getting sick didn't scare me as bad. The waves were worse, but I decided not to worry. Max said that the waves were too bad to boat out to sand island, so he took us up to Maeda Point on the boat. I had a great time, but about halfway there (after a wave crashed over the top of the boat drenching all of us) I wandered back to Max saying, "Max, these waves are bigger than 2 meters!!!" I am not so sure he appreciated my commentary at the time, but I decided to trust him. (I didn't share with the others on the boat that he had told me before that it wasn't safe for the boat with waves bigger than 2 meters) We rocked and rolled along the coast of Okianwa - barely making it by Zampa point, in my opinion, but then we entered the calmer seas near Maeda. It was great. Unfortunately, everone in the boat with the exception of me and Max felt woozy at one time or another (two people becoming quite ill!) I felt great and had a blast. Max warned us that the waves would be worse heading home, but it was fun.
When we got back, Max allowed me to help him with the boat. There was an ocean Matsuri on Sunday, so he wanted to get the boat out of the port. We sent home all of the other people, and then used the trailor to get the boat out. I was able to drive his van a few times and I even drove and connected it to the trailor! Once we got it out of the water we washed it off up at school. I enjoyed every moment.
Then, that evening, Max, Aidy, and Hazel invited Kathleen and I over to their place for dinner. As always, the food and conversation was wonderful. For those of you who haven't met the Cruzados, they are very special people to everyone at OCSI. Max is our head maintenance man and Aidy teaches K4 at school. When I first got here (10 years ago), they were the first people to greet me and make me feel welcome. They gave me a ride to church for almost the first year that I was on island. They feel like family to me, so I especially enjoyed the night.
Sunday, I went to THREE church services. I used to think 2 was a lot, but I packed in a third one this week! The morning consisted of chapel 2 on Kadena, followed by Central Baptist. After church a whole crew of people met for lunch at Obligato. Then, Lisa and I worked out summer school detiails before we left for Calvary Chapel that evening. Trevor Raichura was speaking, so it was fun to go and hear all of that.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Tuesday, July 3
I was pretty sure this would happen, but now that I have started teaching time is really flying by. My second graders keep me hopping at all times. Phew. I learned a new Japanese/Okinawan word: "Natsubate." It means the fatigue that comes from summer heat and humidity. I claim to have that, but I am pretty sure my fatigue is coming from 21 active 7 - 8 year olds. We are really having a VERY hard time following directions and thinking independently. However, I am stilly trying to learn what I can expect from them. I am not sure how much is natsubate for them vs. English language barrier. A lot is probably that English barrier. It is hard to follow directions, no matter how simple they may be, if you don't understand English.
My roommate has been sick for quite a while. She got a cold about 3 weeks ago and it continues to hang on. I have selfishly been praying that I wouldn't get sick too. I have felt great until today. I have a very sore throat today, but I am hoping that if I load up on vitamin C or something like that I will conquer it. Maybe I will take a little nap this afternoon too.
With school going on, I don't have any fun little adventures to share with you. Oh, well, maybe some of you will relate with this. I tried to ship home a couple of boxes yesterday. I wanted the curriculum that I had written before AND I bought some little trinkets for my students and friends back in America. I thought it would be a fast project to get that together and mail out. HA! I forgot about the Japanese system for anything. At 4:45 last night, 4 hours into the process, my boxes were finally in the mail. However, I had made several trips to the post office in the meantime, called my credit card company to try to get the card working AGAIN, exchanged money some other way . . . . The post office wasn't actually the problem, the money was. Oh well. My boxes are on their way and I can relax some now.
We don't have school tomorrow for the 4th of July. A lot of the missionaries are going up North to a resort, "Kanucha Bay." I used to work for Okinawa Times teaching english years ago. A perk of that was that I could reserve their cabin for only 2,000 yen a night. Someone we know, still has those connections, so we get a $750 room for 2,000 yen -- that is less than $18.00. Split that 5 ways and it is a very inexpensive yet luxurious outing! The weather is great, so I look forward to my time in the pool! We are leaving today at 3:30, when we are all done with school.
My roommate has been sick for quite a while. She got a cold about 3 weeks ago and it continues to hang on. I have selfishly been praying that I wouldn't get sick too. I have felt great until today. I have a very sore throat today, but I am hoping that if I load up on vitamin C or something like that I will conquer it. Maybe I will take a little nap this afternoon too.
With school going on, I don't have any fun little adventures to share with you. Oh, well, maybe some of you will relate with this. I tried to ship home a couple of boxes yesterday. I wanted the curriculum that I had written before AND I bought some little trinkets for my students and friends back in America. I thought it would be a fast project to get that together and mail out. HA! I forgot about the Japanese system for anything. At 4:45 last night, 4 hours into the process, my boxes were finally in the mail. However, I had made several trips to the post office in the meantime, called my credit card company to try to get the card working AGAIN, exchanged money some other way . . . . The post office wasn't actually the problem, the money was. Oh well. My boxes are on their way and I can relax some now.
We don't have school tomorrow for the 4th of July. A lot of the missionaries are going up North to a resort, "Kanucha Bay." I used to work for Okinawa Times teaching english years ago. A perk of that was that I could reserve their cabin for only 2,000 yen a night. Someone we know, still has those connections, so we get a $750 room for 2,000 yen -- that is less than $18.00. Split that 5 ways and it is a very inexpensive yet luxurious outing! The weather is great, so I look forward to my time in the pool! We are leaving today at 3:30, when we are all done with school.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Saturday, June 30
Bad news folks. I didn't get to go fishing. I got up early, took all my medicines, ate breakfast,and walked down to the port. It was VERY windy at 5:15 when I was walking, so I was a little concerned about the waves (which were peaking already at that time.) I asked Max if he thought it was all still a great day for fishing. He, of course, said, "Yes!" But then he explained that the waves were at 1.5 meters. 2 is the max his boat can handle. I asked him if his daughter would be okay in waves like we were about to see. He went to go investigate the water more closely. While he was away I spoke with a pastor he was taking with him. That pastor said that on days like this it is extremely rough and choppy, especially when we stop to fish. He said he had been quite ill on days like this in the past. So . . . when Max returned saying "Maybe, better another day." I decided to take him at his word. I bowed out and let them go. Now, several hours later, I look out at the water and see that the wind has let up, and the water no longer has white caps. Oh well, I need to trust that I made the right decision.
So now, I have a whole day to fill and nothing planned. I think I will walk down to a beach in just a little bit. Everybody else is already off doing something else. It is too nice of a day to just stay home, so . . .I will come up with something I am sure.
So now, I have a whole day to fill and nothing planned. I think I will walk down to a beach in just a little bit. Everybody else is already off doing something else. It is too nice of a day to just stay home, so . . .I will come up with something I am sure.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Friday, June 29
Week one of summer school is done! I can hear outside that all the kids have returned from their outing to Torii Pool. The afternoons of our summer school program here are fun and games. Once a week, the kids get to go to pool to play. They were pretty excited today about that.
I have heard many encouraging things lately. I was greatly impressed with my 2nd graders yesterday. We were studying sea caves and trying to make up some safety rules for people to follow. One of the first rules they wanted to include was "Pray for God to help you." I was very touched by that. I am so used to working with high school students, or just kids in a public school setting, that once again hearing their refreshing honesty, and THE COMPLETE TRUTH from babes meant a lot to me. I am saddened that so many of them let go of that complete and total love for the Lord once they reach 5th grade, but at least at one point in their life they love Jesus with all their hearts. I was really thinking about that when . . .
I was talking with my roommate, Kathleen. Yesterday, one of our former students came by to visit with her. I was on my way off campus and my ride was already here, otherwise I would have come to visit with the him too. However, this child she was meeting was always a problem kid - not discipline wise, but academically. I wasn't ever sure he was paying attention or that he was understanding what we were teaching. I only taught him for Bible his 11th and 12th grade year, and I also had him for his repeat 12th grade year. . . . Anyway, today Kathleen mentioned that in her talk with him, they talked about God and his relationship with the Lord. He told her that he and another one of my former students (who also never said anything) have lately really been talking a lot about that. They have come to the conclusion that what was taught at OCSI (Christianity) has to be the truth. They have both recently made a renewed commitment to the Lord. So, all that to say, sometimes I felt (feel) discouraged that things are not sinking in, but God is bigger than any of us. He uses everything we are willing to give to further His kingdom!
As far as my summer school experience goes. Please be praying for me as I work with two of my little girls, Jodi and Remina. I am not sure that either of them understand much English. Both are having a hard time following directions and completing what I am asking them to do. I also have a new student named Kento, and the same is true about him. This may very well be his first experience in an English speaking school. He is trying hard, and very polite, but I am not sure that he is understanding. Then, I have a little boy named Dominik. Dominik is as cute as can be, but he cannot sit still for anything. I can watch him battling his need to move and/or misbehave often. I want so badly to encourage him and help him, but it is so hard with 20 other students in the room. I am quite confident that I have spent far more time working with squirely 9th graders lately, than 2nd graders!
4th and 5th graders continue to struggle with the need to "be cool" (which over here means, not singing or doing what is asked of them) during chapel. It tends to get rather discourageing to look out into the audience and just see scowling faces on all those kids - - I have NEVER seen that before. The middle school is now helping with other grades and most of them are GREAT. The little kids LOVE everything about chapel. One middle school boy came and told me that his sister practices her songs over and over and over again at home. That is encouraging. Please pray that we can learn our songs in time for the program in three weeks!
The drama work has taken another turn. I am now going to play "Captain Super" in our play. I never intended to take on any acting roll, but it has truly been a struggle to find the right people. Oh well, I leave it in God"s hands. He knows best.
On a more exciting note, Max Cruzado talked to me this morning. He is going to take me deep sea fishing with him tomorrow. He was taking someone else out and had an extra spot on his boat. I have always dreamed of going out, but was always too afraid to get seasick. Well, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. He tells me that where we are going I will not be able to see land. Many people throw up out there, so I have to be prepared. Once we get out there, it is two hours back to land, and he cannot bring me back. So . . . I am praying very very hard that my seasickness medicine works! You better believe I will give full reports on that, but PLEASE, if you think of it on Friday evening - your time - please pray for me. I don't want to be ill and ruin the day for others!
I have heard many encouraging things lately. I was greatly impressed with my 2nd graders yesterday. We were studying sea caves and trying to make up some safety rules for people to follow. One of the first rules they wanted to include was "Pray for God to help you." I was very touched by that. I am so used to working with high school students, or just kids in a public school setting, that once again hearing their refreshing honesty, and THE COMPLETE TRUTH from babes meant a lot to me. I am saddened that so many of them let go of that complete and total love for the Lord once they reach 5th grade, but at least at one point in their life they love Jesus with all their hearts. I was really thinking about that when . . .
I was talking with my roommate, Kathleen. Yesterday, one of our former students came by to visit with her. I was on my way off campus and my ride was already here, otherwise I would have come to visit with the him too. However, this child she was meeting was always a problem kid - not discipline wise, but academically. I wasn't ever sure he was paying attention or that he was understanding what we were teaching. I only taught him for Bible his 11th and 12th grade year, and I also had him for his repeat 12th grade year. . . . Anyway, today Kathleen mentioned that in her talk with him, they talked about God and his relationship with the Lord. He told her that he and another one of my former students (who also never said anything) have lately really been talking a lot about that. They have come to the conclusion that what was taught at OCSI (Christianity) has to be the truth. They have both recently made a renewed commitment to the Lord. So, all that to say, sometimes I felt (feel) discouraged that things are not sinking in, but God is bigger than any of us. He uses everything we are willing to give to further His kingdom!
As far as my summer school experience goes. Please be praying for me as I work with two of my little girls, Jodi and Remina. I am not sure that either of them understand much English. Both are having a hard time following directions and completing what I am asking them to do. I also have a new student named Kento, and the same is true about him. This may very well be his first experience in an English speaking school. He is trying hard, and very polite, but I am not sure that he is understanding. Then, I have a little boy named Dominik. Dominik is as cute as can be, but he cannot sit still for anything. I can watch him battling his need to move and/or misbehave often. I want so badly to encourage him and help him, but it is so hard with 20 other students in the room. I am quite confident that I have spent far more time working with squirely 9th graders lately, than 2nd graders!
4th and 5th graders continue to struggle with the need to "be cool" (which over here means, not singing or doing what is asked of them) during chapel. It tends to get rather discourageing to look out into the audience and just see scowling faces on all those kids - - I have NEVER seen that before. The middle school is now helping with other grades and most of them are GREAT. The little kids LOVE everything about chapel. One middle school boy came and told me that his sister practices her songs over and over and over again at home. That is encouraging. Please pray that we can learn our songs in time for the program in three weeks!
The drama work has taken another turn. I am now going to play "Captain Super" in our play. I never intended to take on any acting roll, but it has truly been a struggle to find the right people. Oh well, I leave it in God"s hands. He knows best.
On a more exciting note, Max Cruzado talked to me this morning. He is going to take me deep sea fishing with him tomorrow. He was taking someone else out and had an extra spot on his boat. I have always dreamed of going out, but was always too afraid to get seasick. Well, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. He tells me that where we are going I will not be able to see land. Many people throw up out there, so I have to be prepared. Once we get out there, it is two hours back to land, and he cannot bring me back. So . . . I am praying very very hard that my seasickness medicine works! You better believe I will give full reports on that, but PLEASE, if you think of it on Friday evening - your time - please pray for me. I don't want to be ill and ruin the day for others!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Wednesday, June27
Phew! I forgot how tired little people can make a person, when you combine that with heat and humidity. I had playground duty yesterday, and I tell you, I was absolutely exhausted by 11:30 in the morning. I snuck a nap from about 1 - 2 in the afternoon. I was beat. I had to force myself to get out of bed at 2, but I am glad I did. Max Cruzado came over to take a group of us snorkeling out at the new Maeda Point. The water was nice and calm and we saw lots of fish (bat fish, parrot fish, angel fish . . .the list is long and colorful!), starfish, squid, shells, cucumbers. . . When you snorkel with Max you see all sorts of things. I told him as he was taking us home, "I feel like snorkeling with you is kind of like walking with Jesus. When we are in the water, as long as I can see you somewhere, I never worry. When we live our life, I always know that Jesus is with me, so I also never need to worry."
We had another missionary potluck last night and then watched a Chonda Pierce video in the library as our "Bible Study." This maybe isn't as intellectual as we are used to, but with all the people leaving and packing right now nobody had time to plan anything else. I was glad that I brought my DVDs along to share with people.
Summer School yesterday went much better than my first day. However, chapel did NOT go well. We couldn't get the sound system to pick up the DVD I had prepared. We turned off the air conditioner and the kids all sat nice and quietly, but they just couldn't hear anything. We tried everything to get it to work, but . . . it didn't. It is tough to have to switch plans mid -stream, but I think that we will make it. I will try to help some students pull the play together for live performances. Sorry to my Bible Study crew at home - - we tried!
Today, I asked people to pray that chapel would go well and it did. It will take some effort to get the middle school and 5th grade students to enjoy it, but I hope and pray that they will. I will give them time.
I don't know what is on the agenda for the rest of the day. I do, however, know that I am not nearly as exhausted as I was yesterday. The missing worksheet master has been located so I probably should spend some time in my classroom looking through that, but . . .lunch first! I thank you all for your interest in my blog. I appreciate your prayers more than you know. Keep praying for chapel, if you would. I just want those kids to understand it!
We had another missionary potluck last night and then watched a Chonda Pierce video in the library as our "Bible Study." This maybe isn't as intellectual as we are used to, but with all the people leaving and packing right now nobody had time to plan anything else. I was glad that I brought my DVDs along to share with people.
Summer School yesterday went much better than my first day. However, chapel did NOT go well. We couldn't get the sound system to pick up the DVD I had prepared. We turned off the air conditioner and the kids all sat nice and quietly, but they just couldn't hear anything. We tried everything to get it to work, but . . . it didn't. It is tough to have to switch plans mid -stream, but I think that we will make it. I will try to help some students pull the play together for live performances. Sorry to my Bible Study crew at home - - we tried!
Today, I asked people to pray that chapel would go well and it did. It will take some effort to get the middle school and 5th grade students to enjoy it, but I hope and pray that they will. I will give them time.
I don't know what is on the agenda for the rest of the day. I do, however, know that I am not nearly as exhausted as I was yesterday. The missing worksheet master has been located so I probably should spend some time in my classroom looking through that, but . . .lunch first! I thank you all for your interest in my blog. I appreciate your prayers more than you know. Keep praying for chapel, if you would. I just want those kids to understand it!
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Monday, June 25th - around noon
Day 1 of summer school is now under my belt and I feel much better. I don't have the names of my students memorized yet. I have an awful lot of work to get that all down, but I am happy to say that everything went well. We survived and hopefully we are all better for the experience. Tomorrow will go better. Chapel was extremely short, so we didn't even come close to getting through what I had planned. I just spent about 45 minutes trying to get the DVD player to work because we have a special DVD presentation for the kids. (Thank you to Captain Super and his crew back there in the Bay and Two Harbors. You will be official film stars tomorrow! - - My Bible study from church up in Two Harbors, MN, helped me film some of the videos needed for summer school. It is such a blessing to have that. I tried to get live performers, but they all backed out and there was no way that I could get kids to learn their parts in one day. This is wonderful and it works! THANK YOU!)
This weekend I had a very fun outing! A few of us went over to Max and Aidy's house for praise team practice on Friday. I was the chauffer so I was just along for the fellowship and fun. I enjoyed it. Then on Saturday, a small group of us went exploring the Northern part of the island. Along the way, I had many adventures that were completely new to me. I ate at a famous Okinawan restaurant that Americans call "Pizza in the sky." It is WAY up on top of one of the mountains out on the Motobu Peninsula. I could clearly see Ie Island from there. When we finished eating we went to Ocean Expo Park and watched the dolphin show. It was the first time in my life that it has NOT rained while I was at Expo. I took advantage of that and went to explore Emerald Beach. After that, we drove North and actually took the bridge over to the Lepor Colony. It was faschinating to me. Then, we took another bridge from that island over to yet another island that I had never been to. It was great. We followed that up with the long drive to Hedo Point, the northernmost point of Okinawa. We stopped for dinner in Nago and didn't return home until after midnight. It was a great day!
On Sunday, Max was going to take us snorkeling. I was supposed to borrow my neighbor's car to get to church, but since we didn't get home until after midnight and I had to leave by 6:30 in the morning, I didn't know what to do. I wound up stealing Lisa's car - she had let us use it on Saturday, so I still had her keys. She goes to church right here at school, so I was hoping she didn't need her car. Because of that stress I only went to one service yesterday. I didn't go to Central at all. I decided to rush home in case Lisa did want her car. I am glad I did because she needed it 30 minutes after I got home. We all waited for Max to come, but around noon it started to pour and we were put into some lightening warnings. I called Max at 3 to cancel. It was nice to just spend a day around home.
Today, it is beautiful again. I might try to walk down to a beach and enjoy the day. Sounds like fun to me!
This weekend I had a very fun outing! A few of us went over to Max and Aidy's house for praise team practice on Friday. I was the chauffer so I was just along for the fellowship and fun. I enjoyed it. Then on Saturday, a small group of us went exploring the Northern part of the island. Along the way, I had many adventures that were completely new to me. I ate at a famous Okinawan restaurant that Americans call "Pizza in the sky." It is WAY up on top of one of the mountains out on the Motobu Peninsula. I could clearly see Ie Island from there. When we finished eating we went to Ocean Expo Park and watched the dolphin show. It was the first time in my life that it has NOT rained while I was at Expo. I took advantage of that and went to explore Emerald Beach. After that, we drove North and actually took the bridge over to the Lepor Colony. It was faschinating to me. Then, we took another bridge from that island over to yet another island that I had never been to. It was great. We followed that up with the long drive to Hedo Point, the northernmost point of Okinawa. We stopped for dinner in Nago and didn't return home until after midnight. It was a great day!
On Sunday, Max was going to take us snorkeling. I was supposed to borrow my neighbor's car to get to church, but since we didn't get home until after midnight and I had to leave by 6:30 in the morning, I didn't know what to do. I wound up stealing Lisa's car - she had let us use it on Saturday, so I still had her keys. She goes to church right here at school, so I was hoping she didn't need her car. Because of that stress I only went to one service yesterday. I didn't go to Central at all. I decided to rush home in case Lisa did want her car. I am glad I did because she needed it 30 minutes after I got home. We all waited for Max to come, but around noon it started to pour and we were put into some lightening warnings. I called Max at 3 to cancel. It was nice to just spend a day around home.
Today, it is beautiful again. I might try to walk down to a beach and enjoy the day. Sounds like fun to me!
Monday Morning, June 25
It is the official first day of summer school. I have the nervous jitters that seem to come, usually, with the first day of school. I feel underprepared, but there isn't much to do about that. Of course, things are not going smoothly. It wouldn't be OCSI if they did. I came to school at quarter to 7 to check on chapel. Nothing is set up, the computer cannot be found, I cannot get the sound system to work . . . I decided that was not where God wanted to me spend my time. So, I went upstairs to my classroom where I was met by one of our little cleaning ladies. (Those of you who worked here, you know who she is. She is the sweet little lady who always has some helpful hints for us. Yes, she is still working here. Yes, she has retired a couple of times, but she keeps coming back.) Anyway, she started giving me helpful hints right away, the problem was that the helpful hints were for the teacher next door to my classroom. It had something to do with stuff in places it shouldn't be. I tried to explain that we were switching rooms and it would be corrected. . . that didn't work.
Then, as I was reviewing my plans for the day, I was reminded that I don't have a student reproducable manual at all. All of my plans say, 'See student edition'....I don't have the questions, the worksheets . . . anything. So, I have to wing it anyway. I think all of these little pieces are not helping my nerves for the day. I have planned. I have done the work . . .God will take it from here. I need to trust that.
I have 21 students in second grade. We have well over 100 children in summer school this year. 93 in grades 1 - 8. That is a large number for us here.
Then, as I was reviewing my plans for the day, I was reminded that I don't have a student reproducable manual at all. All of my plans say, 'See student edition'....I don't have the questions, the worksheets . . . anything. So, I have to wing it anyway. I think all of these little pieces are not helping my nerves for the day. I have planned. I have done the work . . .God will take it from here. I need to trust that.
I have 21 students in second grade. We have well over 100 children in summer school this year. 93 in grades 1 - 8. That is a large number for us here.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Thursday, June 21
Hello from Sunny Okinawa!
Yesterday, the weather was so beautiful that I gave up trying to work at school around noon. The frustration of trying to track down a CD player for chapel use, and then finding one that actually worked, proved to be more than I wanted to deal with yesterday. I went home for lunch and decided to go for a walk. I wore just some plastic flip-flops because I truly felt I would end up down at the beach down the hill. Well, 5 KM later I found myself at the Alivila Hotel. I was able to buy some postcards there, and then I walked home along/in the ocean the rest of the way. I wish I had my camera with me because it was beautiful. I found a lot of beaches that I never knew existed when I lived there. It was a lot of fun. However, when I got home after that I was beat and didn't accomplish much the rest of the day.
Today, the weather is great again. Some friends of mine from Kadena Chapel 2, Randy and Kathy Fagan, picked me up and are taking me on some outings today. We are currently "wasting some time" at the library on base. I am happy though because I was able to upload some pictures. I guess we will be going to a beach later today and if I am really good I might be able to talk them into doing some Karaoke this evening. Time will tell. I have all day tomorrow at school, right?
Yesterday, the weather was so beautiful that I gave up trying to work at school around noon. The frustration of trying to track down a CD player for chapel use, and then finding one that actually worked, proved to be more than I wanted to deal with yesterday. I went home for lunch and decided to go for a walk. I wore just some plastic flip-flops because I truly felt I would end up down at the beach down the hill. Well, 5 KM later I found myself at the Alivila Hotel. I was able to buy some postcards there, and then I walked home along/in the ocean the rest of the way. I wish I had my camera with me because it was beautiful. I found a lot of beaches that I never knew existed when I lived there. It was a lot of fun. However, when I got home after that I was beat and didn't accomplish much the rest of the day.
Today, the weather is great again. Some friends of mine from Kadena Chapel 2, Randy and Kathy Fagan, picked me up and are taking me on some outings today. We are currently "wasting some time" at the library on base. I am happy though because I was able to upload some pictures. I guess we will be going to a beach later today and if I am really good I might be able to talk them into doing some Karaoke this evening. Time will tell. I have all day tomorrow at school, right?
Iriomote Jima
This is a picture of me, self portrait, by some of the huge roots of a "butress tree." I don't know the real name, but they were HUGE and very cool.
Some Pictures from Taketomi
The water bufalo cart on Taketomi Jima, the streets of Taketomi,
the cart, and the city.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Wednesday, June 20
Another sunny day here on Okinawa! Yesterday, I was unable to get everything done at school that I wanted. I was here almost all day. Lisa Sorely took Kathleen and I out to lunch and then hijacked us to go to Naval Kadena's 100 yen store. Of course I went kicking and screaming (kidding! Everyone loves 100 yen stores.) I did a much better job this time around of not buying all sorts of junk and presents for people. I bought things I needed for my apartment this summer and a few treats for my classroom next year. Other than that, no extras. Phew . . . my box to ship home gets bigger and bigger each day. Did I mention that I found a whole bunch of curriculum that I wrote a while ago. I know that it is far too heavy for me to bring home in a suitcase, so I will have to ship it. I haven't bought as much as it sounds like I bought, but it feels like it.
The missionary picnic was a lot of fun. They got a fire pit permit and we were able to spend most of the evening socializing out by out fire pit. Some of the newer missionaries bought fire works and set them off. It really was an enjoyable evening.
Today, I am back at school again. This time, I am hoping to finish the activities that I didn't get done yesterday. I have tracked down my old stereo (I think) so I need to go dig that out of storage for use in chapel next week. I am officially, 100%, a 2nd grade teacher this summer. I truly need to spend some time in my classroom getting that ready and making some lesson plans. In my spare time, I am busy making 120 wordless books to give to the kids at chapel. I am not presenting the book until the middle of July, but I know that making 120 books will take me a LONG time. It is brainless work though, so I can do it while doing other things (watching a movie, talking with people) at home.
However, since it is such a nice day, I am hoping to walk down to the beach today. I might have to go alone, but it is too nice to stay inside working all day! I have nothing big planned all day, so I can go as opportunities present themself.
Picture update. I have learned that I cannot get any photos off my camera here at school. They have a block on the network, so I cannot download them. So, until I get to a different place to download to a CD, the pictures you have are the only ones I can give you.
The missionary picnic was a lot of fun. They got a fire pit permit and we were able to spend most of the evening socializing out by out fire pit. Some of the newer missionaries bought fire works and set them off. It really was an enjoyable evening.
Today, I am back at school again. This time, I am hoping to finish the activities that I didn't get done yesterday. I have tracked down my old stereo (I think) so I need to go dig that out of storage for use in chapel next week. I am officially, 100%, a 2nd grade teacher this summer. I truly need to spend some time in my classroom getting that ready and making some lesson plans. In my spare time, I am busy making 120 wordless books to give to the kids at chapel. I am not presenting the book until the middle of July, but I know that making 120 books will take me a LONG time. It is brainless work though, so I can do it while doing other things (watching a movie, talking with people) at home.
However, since it is such a nice day, I am hoping to walk down to the beach today. I might have to go alone, but it is too nice to stay inside working all day! I have nothing big planned all day, so I can go as opportunities present themself.
Picture update. I have learned that I cannot get any photos off my camera here at school. They have a block on the network, so I cannot download them. So, until I get to a different place to download to a CD, the pictures you have are the only ones I can give you.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Tuesday, June19th
The sun is shining as I write this. It hasn't been shining all day, but it is now. Rumor has it that we have ended the rainy season and will probably see quite a bit of sun in the days to come. That sounds good to me.
I found out today that I will be teaching 2nd grade for the first couple weeks of summer school. The slotted teacher, had a family emergency and had to fly home to the states. I am glad that I am here to cover for her. I haven't started to look at my materials yet, but I will hopefully get to that later today. I spent the morning programing the chapel computer for our chapel songs and Bible verses. Now, I am waiting in the teacher's lounge to go to lunch. There is no shortage of food here!
By they way, I don't know how many of you have been to the school, but the entire "Elephant Cage" no longer exists. It was kind of here when I first got on island, but two days later there was an empty lot. I will try to walk up to the grounds and take some pictures today.
No big plans for this afternoon. There is an apartment picnic planned for the evening, but I will probably continue to work at school this afternoon.
Hope all is going well for each of you. I am happily staying busy here.
I found out today that I will be teaching 2nd grade for the first couple weeks of summer school. The slotted teacher, had a family emergency and had to fly home to the states. I am glad that I am here to cover for her. I haven't started to look at my materials yet, but I will hopefully get to that later today. I spent the morning programing the chapel computer for our chapel songs and Bible verses. Now, I am waiting in the teacher's lounge to go to lunch. There is no shortage of food here!
By they way, I don't know how many of you have been to the school, but the entire "Elephant Cage" no longer exists. It was kind of here when I first got on island, but two days later there was an empty lot. I will try to walk up to the grounds and take some pictures today.
No big plans for this afternoon. There is an apartment picnic planned for the evening, but I will probably continue to work at school this afternoon.
Hope all is going well for each of you. I am happily staying busy here.
Monday, June 18
Rain again! Janice Skillman was making her trip home to the states today, so Kathleen Rice and I took her to the aiport. After that, we made a rainy day trip to Kokusai Street. We suceeded in finding many a bargain, but also in getting soaked to the skin. I didn't mind until after we arrived back home - then I was tired of being soggy.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Sunday, June 16
The day started by heading off to chapel 2 at 6:15 in the morning! I did double duty as far as church's are concerned this day. After Chapel 2, I went to Central Baptist were I was surprised at how many people I still knew in the congregation. I went out to eat with Max, Aidy and Hazel - along with a lot of new OCSI people!
After that adventure, we truly spent the day just relaxing at home!
After that adventure, we truly spent the day just relaxing at home!
Saturday, June 16
The return of rain! Yes, it was raining again that day. I don't know that I have seen the sun much on Okinawa itself. Oh well. Today we a great connection day for OCSI. I was able to go out for lunch with a lot of the office staff, a Japanese teacher, and Okinawan/Hawaian friends. We spent a lot of time just catching up, and laughing. That evening, Hadley's had us up for supper and we just continued the catching up!
Friday, June 15
Again, a sunny day! We spent this day touring and shopping on Ishigaki. We visited an Okinawan weaving factory where Kathy and Kathleen actually did some weaving, a huge cave that was used during the war to hide people, and we drove around in circles (this was the norm for our time on Ishigaki) searching for places. At 4:00 we were headed back to mainland Okinawa. It was a great trip!
Due to traffic we weren't back to our place here at school until 7:15. I don't believe we did much of anything that evening!
Due to traffic we weren't back to our place here at school until 7:15. I don't believe we did much of anything that evening!
Thursday, June 14
Even though it was supposed to be pouring rain today, it was bright and sunny. Not a cloud in the sky! This completely confused us as we had made numerous rainy day plans, but few sunny ones. We got a late start as a result. After much discussion, we opted to ferry over to another island nearby. We went over to Iriomote where we toured a rain forest, hiked up to some water falls, visited a star sand beach again, watched the waterbuffalo pull some carts over to another smaller island, walked through gigantic buttress trees, and finally ferried home again. Needless to say, we did not return home looking, smelling, or feeling as fresh as when we left. It was VERY hot again and the humidity was high! It was a great day and the pictures speak for themselves (when I actually get them online)
Wednesday, June 13
When we woke up this morning, it was grey and very cloudy again. We left to head to the airport at 6:00 AM. It was my fear that we would get all the way to Ishigaki and have to spend all of our time in the rain again. I prayed the whole way there that God would lift the clouds while we were there. Praise God because He did!
About 20 minutues outside of Ishigaki we saw blue sky for the first time. By the time we set foot on the island, there were puffy white clouds around and the sky was blue! That was NOT in the forcast for the day, but God is bigger than the weather man!
We got a rental car as part of our travel package, so we spent some time trying to work out the details on that. Kathy Johnson is fluent in Japanese, so she took care of those details. I sure felt pretty stupid as I waited around unable to help in any way, but Kathy took good care of us.
We dropped our bags off at our hotel (very nice to my surprise!) We were unable to check in until later, but we could at least leave our bags there until later. Our hotel was right accross the street from the port, so we walked right on over to board a ferry. We took a short 10 minute trip over to an island called "Taketomi". This is a tiny little island with one small village. They have a K - 8 school there with 39 students, I think, and 29 teachers! Talk about small classes! Once the kids hit high school, they need to take the ferry over to Ishigaki for school. The village is a very traditional village. It has the old stone walls along the very narrow dirt roads. The houses are much more traditional in appearance, and they run a water buffalo pulled cart along the roads as their tourist 'bus service'. It was very interesting! We were also taken to a star sand beach, and we walked around to explore the island. At that time, I realized that by praying away the rain, we were smack dab in the middle of the heat and humidity of Okinawa for the first time since arriving. We didn't smell so great by the end of the day - and forget beauty. My hair was ....well, it was awful!
After we conquered Taketomi we ferried back over to Ishigaki for the remainder of the day. We took our rental car all around to explore the island. The weather forcast said that it would rain all of the other days we were there, so we tried to see everything that first day.
As we toured we saw a lot of Ishigaki Beef (cows at that time. A steak of the famous Ishigaki Beef would cost over $100 at some restaurants.) It is weird to see cattle on a tropical island! We also saw some very scraggly looking sheep which surprised all of us. The wool was falling off of them, but they were truly sheep. There were even some lambs in the mix. Very odd.
That evening, we ate dinner with a Christian Japanese couple. I mentioned the sheep before because as we were eating, they didn't really believe that there were sheep on the island. I showed them pictures and they were astonished. As we talked some more, I realized that there was a parallel into God's world in that picture. In Japan, only about 2% of the population is Christian. To encounter a couple that is professing Christianity and actively involved in a church is about as rare as running into sheep on a tropical island. However, with God all things are possible. We learned through their stories, and through stories of our graduates, how much impact even the smallest encounters can have on lives. One changed life as the result of some mission work, can impact so many people. What an honor it is to serve our Lord and Savior! I pray that I will be a willing vessle for Him to use - at any time!
About 20 minutues outside of Ishigaki we saw blue sky for the first time. By the time we set foot on the island, there were puffy white clouds around and the sky was blue! That was NOT in the forcast for the day, but God is bigger than the weather man!
We got a rental car as part of our travel package, so we spent some time trying to work out the details on that. Kathy Johnson is fluent in Japanese, so she took care of those details. I sure felt pretty stupid as I waited around unable to help in any way, but Kathy took good care of us.
We dropped our bags off at our hotel (very nice to my surprise!) We were unable to check in until later, but we could at least leave our bags there until later. Our hotel was right accross the street from the port, so we walked right on over to board a ferry. We took a short 10 minute trip over to an island called "Taketomi". This is a tiny little island with one small village. They have a K - 8 school there with 39 students, I think, and 29 teachers! Talk about small classes! Once the kids hit high school, they need to take the ferry over to Ishigaki for school. The village is a very traditional village. It has the old stone walls along the very narrow dirt roads. The houses are much more traditional in appearance, and they run a water buffalo pulled cart along the roads as their tourist 'bus service'. It was very interesting! We were also taken to a star sand beach, and we walked around to explore the island. At that time, I realized that by praying away the rain, we were smack dab in the middle of the heat and humidity of Okinawa for the first time since arriving. We didn't smell so great by the end of the day - and forget beauty. My hair was ....well, it was awful!
After we conquered Taketomi we ferried back over to Ishigaki for the remainder of the day. We took our rental car all around to explore the island. The weather forcast said that it would rain all of the other days we were there, so we tried to see everything that first day.
As we toured we saw a lot of Ishigaki Beef (cows at that time. A steak of the famous Ishigaki Beef would cost over $100 at some restaurants.) It is weird to see cattle on a tropical island! We also saw some very scraggly looking sheep which surprised all of us. The wool was falling off of them, but they were truly sheep. There were even some lambs in the mix. Very odd.
That evening, we ate dinner with a Christian Japanese couple. I mentioned the sheep before because as we were eating, they didn't really believe that there were sheep on the island. I showed them pictures and they were astonished. As we talked some more, I realized that there was a parallel into God's world in that picture. In Japan, only about 2% of the population is Christian. To encounter a couple that is professing Christianity and actively involved in a church is about as rare as running into sheep on a tropical island. However, with God all things are possible. We learned through their stories, and through stories of our graduates, how much impact even the smallest encounters can have on lives. One changed life as the result of some mission work, can impact so many people. What an honor it is to serve our Lord and Savior! I pray that I will be a willing vessle for Him to use - at any time!
Monday, June 11, 2007
Tuesday, June 12th
Before I forget, HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARRIE ABRAHAM!!!! Hope your day is great.
As I am sitting here preparing to write to you, I just want those of you who have taught at OCSI to recall our rainy days. I am soaked through and through. My shoes are soggy because I had to walk through huge puddles to get here. My hair is in ringlets because I got drenched as I walked over, and my clothing is sticking to me everywhere due to the water. We are having a downpour again today. The soccer field is flooded and the backroad to school isn't much better. Gay Grenninger mentioned to me that she heard some of the high school kids praying for cool weather as they took their finals this week. I think they got it. I'm not complaining though. I like having an excuse for my bad hair!
I wound up working at school all day yesterday. I went through my old classroom and found a whole box full of math curriculum that I wrote. Then, we had the summer school meeting. I learned that, once again, nobody really knows what I will be teaching. Right now, they are trying to compile numbers to see where the greatest need is. My options, at this time, are: Leading Chapel and teaching music to each grade pair, teaching elementary math, OR becoming the K4-C classroom teacher. (For those of you who don't know, K4-c, is a class for 3-year-olds who are getting ready to enter our pre-school program. It is the first time these little kids are in school. This is a regular school program, and it actually starts next week - a whole week earlier than the other summer school program. I taught K4-C one summer years ago, so if they cannot get a teacher soon, I might get pulled from other activities and placed there. I don't quite know what I think about that. I guess I will just leave it in the Lord's hands and pray for wisdom for my administrators here.) I will let you know what I will be teaching as soon as I know. For now, I will be planning the math lessons soon, and I have already spent the morning working on the chapel information.
Due to the rain, today's activities will really focus around the school again. I did some paper work for the office today and I hope to get into the music room to do some searching this afternoon.
I have had several people tell me to add more pictures . . . I am having technical difficulties! I just spoke with Randy Hadley and he told me that I can come over to his house to burn some photos onto a thumb - drive (I guess I had better buy one of those then, huh?) Then, I can post them for you. Next week, we should be able to do that. . .unfortunately, for now you just get words.
I will be leaving EARLY tomorrow morning (5:00 AM) to go down to Ishigaki with Kathleen Rice (former teacher who came over here with me) and her friend Kathy Johnson. Kathy teaches at a Japanese Christian College on the island and she has students that live down on Ishigaki. Apparently we will be making some house calls on the families and we will stay someplace by the port. I am not exactly sure what this excursion will hold, but time will tell. I hope and pray that it isn't as rainy down there as it is up here on Okinawa. Ishigaki is pretty far South, if I recall correctly.
Thank you all for your prayers. Things continue to go well, and they are picking up pace as is par for the course. :) I like that.
Until next time!
Amy
As I am sitting here preparing to write to you, I just want those of you who have taught at OCSI to recall our rainy days. I am soaked through and through. My shoes are soggy because I had to walk through huge puddles to get here. My hair is in ringlets because I got drenched as I walked over, and my clothing is sticking to me everywhere due to the water. We are having a downpour again today. The soccer field is flooded and the backroad to school isn't much better. Gay Grenninger mentioned to me that she heard some of the high school kids praying for cool weather as they took their finals this week. I think they got it. I'm not complaining though. I like having an excuse for my bad hair!
I wound up working at school all day yesterday. I went through my old classroom and found a whole box full of math curriculum that I wrote. Then, we had the summer school meeting. I learned that, once again, nobody really knows what I will be teaching. Right now, they are trying to compile numbers to see where the greatest need is. My options, at this time, are: Leading Chapel and teaching music to each grade pair, teaching elementary math, OR becoming the K4-C classroom teacher. (For those of you who don't know, K4-c, is a class for 3-year-olds who are getting ready to enter our pre-school program. It is the first time these little kids are in school. This is a regular school program, and it actually starts next week - a whole week earlier than the other summer school program. I taught K4-C one summer years ago, so if they cannot get a teacher soon, I might get pulled from other activities and placed there. I don't quite know what I think about that. I guess I will just leave it in the Lord's hands and pray for wisdom for my administrators here.) I will let you know what I will be teaching as soon as I know. For now, I will be planning the math lessons soon, and I have already spent the morning working on the chapel information.
Due to the rain, today's activities will really focus around the school again. I did some paper work for the office today and I hope to get into the music room to do some searching this afternoon.
I have had several people tell me to add more pictures . . . I am having technical difficulties! I just spoke with Randy Hadley and he told me that I can come over to his house to burn some photos onto a thumb - drive (I guess I had better buy one of those then, huh?) Then, I can post them for you. Next week, we should be able to do that. . .unfortunately, for now you just get words.
I will be leaving EARLY tomorrow morning (5:00 AM) to go down to Ishigaki with Kathleen Rice (former teacher who came over here with me) and her friend Kathy Johnson. Kathy teaches at a Japanese Christian College on the island and she has students that live down on Ishigaki. Apparently we will be making some house calls on the families and we will stay someplace by the port. I am not exactly sure what this excursion will hold, but time will tell. I hope and pray that it isn't as rainy down there as it is up here on Okinawa. Ishigaki is pretty far South, if I recall correctly.
Thank you all for your prayers. Things continue to go well, and they are picking up pace as is par for the course. :) I like that.
Until next time!
Amy
To Catch you up!
Hi everyone!
I am writing this from the faculty lounge at OCSI. It has been a busy, yet relaxing (however that works) first few days here on island. I'll give you a little summary of each day and then try to include some pictures for you!
Left MN - early June 5th. I flew from Minneapolis to Chicago to Tokyo to Okinawa. I arrived on Okinawa the evening of June 6th. A few of the flights left late, but I made all connections. I met up with Kathleen Rice (a former missionary - coworker) in Chicago and we made all the flights from there on together. Kathleen helped me with lifting my luggage and getting it from place to place (doctor's orders after my surgery). It all went smoothly until I got to Tokyo. It was there that we learned that one of my bags apparently needed more time in Chicago. It did NOT make the flight with us. We had to spend about 45 minutes filling out papers and figuring all of that out. Then, we took a short bus ride to the second terminal. Due to our delay we didn't have long to wait for our flight to Okinawa. Interesting note though, at that spot, we met up with Elle Mankin (former OCSI teacher and former roommate of mine.) She was also going to Okinawa for the reunion. That was fun.
At the airport Masako Migita and Hiromu Migita were there to pick up Elle (but I got hugs and greetings too) and my friends Randy and Kathy Fagan were there to pick me up. I was really tired by that time, but it was really wonderful to connect with friends (and a former student.)
At the apartments, Kathleen and I learned that both of our roommates were already asleep. It made it easier for us to just go to bed ourselves. Janice did wake up to say hello, but we saved most of our talking for later.
Thursday, June 7th:
In the morning I was able to get up and walk over to school. There I was able to reconnect with all of the office staff and people that I remembered from before. My favorite connection was with Max Cruzado who was mowing the lawn outside our apartment. It's so great to meet up with everyone again.
I surprised the seniors (my very first class) when I ran into them as they were waiting for the bus ride up to the town hall for graduation practice. A couple of the girls were so surprised that they started to cry (of course emotions were running high for everyone already.) My luggage hadn't yet arrived, so I wasn't able to take any pictures.
After that, I did some work in my apartment, and later walked up to the town hall to spend some more time talking with the kids.
Suellen Hadley gave me a ride to the grocery store after practice so I was able to have fun wandering the isles again. At the time I write this, I still haven't been to Max Value - or Primart as I still call it. I look forward to doing that soon. As it is, we are having too many school functions to worrry about having much food at our apartment.
Graduation was that evening. As a missionary apartment building most of us went to eat at the Royal Restaurant for supper. Yes, for those of you who wonder, the waitresses STILL remember me! The "Chicken Hot-o Sauce" is still as good as I remember! They have remodeled so I will have to add some pictures of the changes.
At graduation, there was an open house for former students. While it wasn't as attended as people had hoped I was able to connect with a few former students: Jammy Benter, Jessica Rhode, Takazumi Teruya, Charlie Henderson, Hadjime Kina, Sheryl Cruzado, and Hiromu Migita (again). It was great to see all of them.
Graduation itself was the special affair that it always is. The kids were honored and so was our Lord. Many of the kids presented me with flowers as a thank you for being a part of their life. That was special to me. Martha Migita and Laura Jefferson sang the special music for graduation!
Friday, June 8th: I was up early once again. I went for a walk up to the old post office road (for those of you who lived here) and enjoyed seeing the old sights. There has been quite a bit of business turn over, reconstruction, and new construction of buildings. It was fun to see the changes, but more fun still was running into Lisa Sorely on the way home. She handed me the keys to her car and said I could go anywhere I wanted that day! FUN FUN FUN! I mentioned to many that perhaps they should stay off the road as I ventured out, but wouldn't turn down the chance.
Janice Skillman and I went 100 yen store shopping! We had a blast together exploring all the bargains on those shelves. I drove on the correct side of the road all the time, and I only turned on my windsheild wipers incorrectly a couple of times! As soon as we got home, we got the news that my missing suitcase was on it's way. I waited for it at the school until 5:00. When it got there, Lisa took us down to a new salt factory down by the ocean. We had dinner at a pizza restaurant there. I found it odd that it wasn't normal Japanese pizza either. It was pretty American in nature!
Friday evening there was another school function. We had an open gym night for alumni and former teachers. Most of the atendees were older than I had worked with, so I opted to spend the night at Lisa's watching a movie. I didn't see much of the movie though - I fell asleep on her couch!
Saturday, June 9th:
I started out my morning this day by walking down to the ocean for the first time! I walked down to the marina and over to a park I used to come to as I did my devotions. It was great! Upon my arrival home, I cleaned out the little area outside where our washing machine is kept. The apartment hadn't been lived in for 4 years, so it was pretty well covered with spiders, gecko droppings, and dirt. I spent a couple of hours clearing it out so that we could use it. Now I can have clean laundry.
In the early afternoon, a whole bus load of former missionaries ran over to Plaza House shopping center. We just looked around and enjoyed an afternoon of exploration together.
That evening was the 50th Anniversary Celebration of OCSI. Over 300 people from all over the world had come for the celebration. There were former students and former teachers. This event was not what I expected from OCS. They had t-shirts printed, mugs made, books made . . . it was a big event and very professional. One of the rooms of the building had been turned into an OCSI History room. There was a very well organized program to accompany the meal. We were there from 5:30 PM until 11:30. The school webpage will have many photos and more information on that. See www.ocsi.org
Sunday, June 10th:
Randy and Kathy Fagan picked me up for church at 6:30 in the morning. I was able to play my saxophone with my formar praise team. It was nice because I still knew about half of the members (keeping in mind that there are only 6 people on the praise team.) Janet Clarke is still pianist, Randy still drummer, and Kathy still sings. It was fun to do old familiar songs with them again. After church we had a chapel picnic. It was very fun to see Randy and Kathy with their grandchildren. Puts them in a different light. :)
I spent Sunday evening at home reading and visiting. For the first time, I was able to sleep all through the night. I was in bed before 8:00 PM!!
Monday, June 11:
That's Today! I have been on the computer now from the time I got up! Today is my work day. I will be spending the day at school. We have a summer school meeting at 2:00 and I hope to spend some time in my classroom searching through materials. This evening I plan to make Yakisoba for my apartment and some friends.
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