Chris & Abbie

First of all, I apologize for not posting sooner. Things have been a little busy and I'm trying to finish a quilt for some friends who are having an auction this summer, with the spare time I do have. (more on the auction later)

So, maybe it's just that I grew up in a diverse area, or the fact that I had been living in such a diverse area before we moved to Japan, but sometimes I forget that here in Japan I stick out like a sore thumb. I kind of just feel like I fit in here - I say hi to people as I pass them by and bow. I, for the most part, have grocery shopping figured out and can find things at the store. I am fully confident in buying a train ticket and riding the train. And, the other day I even conquered the feat of learning how to pay my bills here (you pay them in person at the grocery store). So really, I feel like I can do most normal everyday activities and not feel like I stick out too much.

But then reality sinks in...

Everyday I walk past the Youchien (Preschool/Elementary school) and for about 50 yards away the 3 year olds will yell to me "Eigo no Sensei, Eigo no Sensei" (English teacher, English teacher), usually followed by "Hello" or "Bye-Bye". They are so cute so I, in passing, say Hello or Bye-Bye in return, and then greet the teachers in Japanese.

But the other day it dawned on me, if a 3 year old can recognize that I'm an oddball from 50-yards away, I must really stick out here! Japanese isn't diverse at all - Chris and I, and our fellow teachers, are the only foreigners living in this rural town, and probably the surrounding towns too. But sometimes I just forget how much I really stick out.

So then in thinking about that, it dawned on me even more, that being here, and realizing that everyone is watching me, my actions are not only a reflection on myself, but on my teammates, on the Japanese family that has invited us to join them here, and most importantly on the example of Jesus that I am trying to live out to and for the Japanese people I encounter here.

It's ok that I'm an oddball here, people are wonderful and continuously show me grace when I don't understand something about the culture here, but I must remember everyday, that every action I take is not just about me, but is about a much bigger picture here!

Well, I know it's almost the end of the week, but it's been a busy week and I wanted to tell you all about Sunday.

This past Sunday we were invited to go to a Japanese church about an hour away. There are two American missionaries that teach in the town, and they come to our bible study on Sunday nights. They go to this church and the people at the church offered to come and pick us up, once a month on Sundays.

So this past Sunday we went. They have a translator who sits in a booth and translates the entire service for us, while we wear ear pieces to hear the translation. Kind of like the people at the UN wear - very cool. (Gladdy should look into getting these - he'd love them!)

Anyways, even though we had to go an hour away, the people at the church were so nice and welcoming. Our Japanese is very minimal, but we can communicate a little, and people like to try out their English on us. So we already made a few friends, one who has already emailed us and wants to get together sometime. After church they host a lunch each week, so we had Japanese meatloaf, which is way different than American meatloaf, but pretty ok tasting.

The most encouraging part was seeing so many Japanese Christians together in one place. Japan is only 2% Christians, so it is a very lost country. It is not a part of their culture, so people grow up and many haven't even heard of Jesus. I had been wrestling with all of this lately - how can people never hear? It's just so foreign to me. So, seeing over 100 Japanese Christians gathered together, in rural Japan, was so encouraging!

We're going to go back in a few weeks, so I'll try to take pictures next time.

As a side note, most Sundays we go to a Japanese church in our town. We love it there, the people are very kind and wonderful to us - it's just nice to get a sermon in English occasionally, that's not a podcast.

On Saturday, one of the Elementary Schools I teach at was having their annual Undokai. Undoai is kind of like field day, but all of the parents and grandparents come and watch, and it's an all day event.

I teach at least once a week at the school, and a bunch of the students are in my classes at the English school (after-school classes), so I got to see a lot of my students outside of class, which was a lot of fun!


The school kind of looks like a castle to me.

There are 2 teams - red and white. Look at those cute hats!

One of my second graders waving hello. Her English name is Carolyn.

Tug of War

One of the 4th grad teachers on the Japanese drum.

A fun time was had by all! And it was so encouraging to interact with students and some Japanese friends outside of school!

The family was having lunch today and asked us to eat with them. On today's menu: Raw Seafood Sushi.

I was so nervous about it - not necessarily the taste, but I have a real issue with textures, and slimy isn't one I do too well with. But I have to say that I had about 7 different pieces and they weren't bad - they weren't my favorite, but they weren't bad. The other teachers said I did a good job, especially for my first time. I couldn't finish everything so I brought the leftovers home and Chris ate them for an after-school snack.

My teacher said to me this afternoon, "Abbie Sensei, lunch was maybe interesting for you today."

I said, "Yes, it was different, but it was pretty good."

This isn't my lunch, but really my lunch looked pretty much the same, only it also had some eel, which isn't in this picture.

Here's to trying new things, and thanking God for how different and unique He has made all of us!

The other day the 4 year olds at the Youchien (the kindergarten), asked the 5 teachers that teach at the English school (me, Bethany, Lis, Jeni, and Ashley) to come over for a Welcome Program.

The kids were SO cute! I really wish I had pictures of them, but we were busy introducing ourselves in Japanese. After that we taught them a song, the "Seven Steps" song. Basically you teach them to count from 1-7. They had lots of fun and so did I!

At the end of the program, 5 little kids ran out of the room and they came back in and presented us each with a Gerbra Daisy plant. They said "Domo Arigato Gozaimas" (thank you very much) and bowed and presented the plants to us - it was so adorable.

This is my plant - how perfect that it's pink, my favorite.

So pretty

The 4 year olds drew little pictures and put them in the plant.

On Sunday we got the chance to go to a Japanese Tea Ceremony. It took place in our town's cultural center, which is actually a 100 year old barn. It was very interesting to watch. They have formalities for the way they get the tea ready, the way they actually make it, the way it is served and even the way it is cleaned up. It was so fun to get to see a new piece of Japanese culture!

The 100 year old barn. The roof is actually made out of straw and mud and they have to put a new roof on each year.

Making the tea. The women wear such beautiful kimonos.

Chris and Peter eating the treat - ground rice with bean paste inside. A Japanese favorite - they have bean paste in lots of things here.

Chris getting tea served to him. To drink the tea you bow to the person who made it, then put the cup in your left hand, turn it twice, and then you can drink it.

Our hosts

After the tea ceremony they showed us all of the old farm tools - this is a raincoat and rainhat.

The back of the raincoat - look at all that hay!

I had such a fun morning at the elementary school today! The 4th grade teacher asked us to help the kids cook American Macaroni and Cheese. So, Jeni and I, brought our aprons to school and had a great time!

First of all, when the students cook, they each have their own apron they wear, then they wear a bandana on their head, and finally a facemask. They look so cute!

They were all really excited about cooking the macaroni and cheese - they got to pick between Spiderman or Spongebob shapes. And they laughed at the shapes of the pasta. Each student in the group had their own part: put the pasta in the water, put the milk in, the butter, the cheese and the "stir-er". They had lots of fun cooking - and even more fun eating Macaroni and Cheese. Only 1 student out of 23 had ever had it before.

I think they all liked it, and they think it's funny that American kids eat it for dinner so much.