Update on Relief Efforts in Japan

http://www.jler.org/

Another Step Into the Unknown

Recently I started doing something that I never imagined myself doing: teaching kindergarten.  I taught junior high and high school students before, but teaching 5 and 6 year-olds was a whole new adventure for me.  At first I was a little nervous that the students wouldn’t understand my English, but I decided that the important part was to smile, be friendly, and try to have fun.  Interestingly, those same principles apply to cross cultural communication at any age level.  Yes, there are times when we might not understand one another or might make language mistakes, but during those times, the smile speaks louder than words.

One of my favorite experiences so far with the kindergarteners was watching them with their teacher before our English class started.  This is a Christian kindergarten, so the class was praying.  I love that the teacher showed just how much prayer is like having a conversation with God.  They talked with God in an intimate, sincere, and heart-felt way as they told God good morning, thanked him for the beautiful day, and asked for his blessing as they learn and play.  Today and in the days ahead, I echo the beautiful prayer of my kindergarteners.

Kyushu Gakuin's Kindergarten

The Jungle Book

Last week was a busy week for the English department because we helped the students put on a play with the assistance of the Missoula (as in Montana) Children’s Theatre (MCT).  About 70 local elementary and junior high students participated in the musical version of The Jungle Book.  Students and teachers started meeting weekly back in February to go over lines and practice songs.  Then last week, we met every night from 5 until 9 for extra practice.  Two young adults from the United States represented the MCT and worked with students on their stage placements and the actions for their songs.  It was no small task for students to memorize the English and work on their pronunciation either, but Saturday’s two performances were a big success!  Saturday morning started with a dress rehearsal, and the students were so excited to try on their costumes for the first time.  Their stage make-up was the final touch to really put them in character.  I was so impressed with the high energy level that each of the students displayed.  Later we heard from audience members that this was the best performance they have seen during the ten years of doing MCT plays at Kyushu Gakuin.

The biggest blessing for me during the week was the relationships that I was able to form with my junior high students.  When I teach a class of about 40 students it is often difficult to get to know each student personally and for them to really get to know me.  Throughout the week students started to see me as more than an authority figure.  They saw that I am here to support and encourage them, to help them, and to show them Christ’s love through my actions and words.  The school year is just starting in Japan, and I am excited to see how the relationships with my students and coworkers continue to grow in the months ahead.

Missoula Children's Theatre and Kyu Gaku Present The Jungle Book

The entire cast of elementary and junior high students

One of my junior high students as Darzee

One of my junior high students as Shere Kan

The wolf pack with Mowgli

Three cute little monkeys

Flashbacks to Reading Rainbow

I've been in Japan for a little over 6 months now, but that makes three years total when adding it together with my last experience in Japan.  Wow, I still feel like I'm living in a dream sometimes.  I definitely think that my Japanese should be better than it is by this point, but that's something I am still working on.

Anyway, I just came across something that I wrote when I was in Japan in 2006 and felt like it was worth reposting...

As part of my Japanese experience, I try to read books related to Japan and watch some Japanese movies.  I thought I would pass along some of these recommendations in case you would also like to learn a little about Japan or the Japanese culture.  These are in no particular order, and I highly recommend all of them.

Books…

Kira Kira—by Cynthia Kadohata (Great choice for children or the young at heart)

This book recently earned the Newbery Honor award for children’s literature, and I can understand why.  It is about a Japanese family that lives in America and the challenges that they encounter.  The main character is Katie, a kindergarten girl, who has many interesting adventures and experiences with her sister (Lynn).  Kira Kira means sparkling or glittering in Japanese, and that emphasizes Lynn’s optimistic outlook on life.  It’s great but definitely a fast read.  I recommend checking this one out from the library.

The Golden Country—by Shusaku Endo

This was written by a famous Japanese Christian.  It is set in 1633 when Christians were being persecuted and killed for their outlawed beliefs.  It gives a very honest and powerful glimpse into the hardships that early Christians faced in Japan.  This book is a bit deeper and has a more serious tone but is worth reading.  This story is written in the format of a play, which some people find a little distracting.  Another option is to read the novel Silence by the same author.  Silence is an extended form of a similar story about Christian martyrdom in Japan.  I have not read Silence but hope to do that some day.

Memoirs of a Geisha—by Arthur Golden

This novel gives an amazing glimpse into a somewhat secretive part of the Japanese culture.  Geisha are girls who are highly trained in entertaining guests using the traditional Japanese arts.  The novel explores one young woman’s experiences are she grows into womanhood and how the world of geisha effects every part of her life.  The movie was mostly faithful to the book, but the book was of course better.  It was one of those books that I didn’t want to put down.

Lonely Planet: Japan

If you are ever planning on traveling in Japan, I strongly recommend purchasing this travel book.  It provides detailed information about how to get to sightseeing locations, has helpful maps, and even includes a little history about places. 

Films…

I used to have some prejudices against anime because I thought they were all violent, graphic, and showed a bit too much skin.  I was wrong, and I will be the first to admit that.  I have actually taken quite a liking to films that were directed by Hayao Miyazaki.  Have an open mind, and give them a chance.  Miyazaki really seems to use amazing creativity as well as capturing human emotions.  Sometimes I forget that I am even watching a cartoon.  If you feel adventurous, try watching these films in Japanese with English subtitles.  That is what I do to study Japanese.

Spirited Away  (PG)

Chihiro is a 10-year-old girl who finds herself trapped in a world of fantasy where anything could happen.  She is forced to work in a bath house in the hopes of discovering a way to free her parents, who were turned into pigs.  Anything can happen in this new world of magic, and the only way out is for Chihiro to remember her true identity.

I have watched several Miyazaki films now, and this is my personal ranking of them, including the Japanese title.

1. Spirited Away/ Sen To Chihiro No Kamikakushi
2. My Neighbor Totoro/ Tonari No Totoro
3. Kiki’s Delivery Service/ Majo  No Takkyubin
4. Howl’s Moving Castle/ Hauru No Ugoku Shiro
5. Castle in the Sky/ Tenku No Shiro Rapyuta
6. Whispers of the Heart/ Mimi Wo Sumaseba
7. Nausicca of the Valley of the Winds/ Kaze No Tani No Naushika
8. Porco Roso/  Kurenai No Buta
9. Princess Mononoke/ Mononoke-hime

Shall We Dance? (PG)(not anime)

This was a Japanese comedy before it was redone in America.  The remake was pretty good, but I prefer the Japanese version.  It captures some interesting aspects of the Japanese culture and shows some exquisite dancing.  This movie shows how one man transforms from being a tired office worker to an energetic and talented ballroom dancer.  This movie is in Japanese with English subtitles.

I really enjoyed all of these books and films.  I hope that you visit your local library or video rental store, but you don’t have to take my word for it….

Japan's Earthquake and Tsunami

Yesterday afternoon the movers came to pick up my boxes and suitcases for my move to Kumamoto.  I was so impressed by the efficiency and warm customer service that I see time and time again in Japan.  Cindy helped with translating and keeping us organized, so we quickly finished.

Then, Cindy, Allyson, Ally, and I decided to visit a local restaurant.  We made it about a block away from home when the earthquake started at 2:46 p.m.  The four of us stopped in place as residents nearby left their homes to stand away from possible falling structures.  The power lines above us shook, so we backed away from the electric pole next to us.  The shaking continued for about two minutes while we huddled together in groups.  People commented on how strong the earthquake felt and how they’d never felt anything quite like it.  Actually, Japan has never had an earthquake this strong in recorded history.  As the shaking slowed down, the aftershocks continued off and on, and it was like we had just left a ship but couldn’t quite get our landlegs back.  We parted from neighbors with comments of “take care” and continued to the restaurant.  While there, rather large aftershocks continued, so everyone sought shelter under tables.  The restaurants could only sell limited items since it wasn’t safe to use the gas so soon after a big earthquake, but most people there seemed relieved to have friends or family nearby and didn’t care.  At this point we had no idea about the tsunami or the magnitude of destruction that it left in its path.  Meanwhile, the trains all over Tokyo stopped running so that thorough inspections could be done to ensure everyone’s safety. The trains, subways, and bullet trains throughout the eastern side of Honshu remained stationary for the remainder of the day, leaving millions of people stranded at work or school overnight.   

It wasn’t until I returned home and turned on the news that I started to understand the damage that the earthquake and tsunami did.  Hundreds of people lost their lives, and that number continues to grow.  Many were injured, lost their homes, or were without power on a cold night.  It’s hard to turn away from the images on the news, even though about the only Japanese word that I can understand in the reports is じしん (jishin, meaning earthquake). 

Because the movers had taken away almost everything, I didn’t even have cooking supplies or eating utensils, let alone food in the refrigerator.  Cindy, Allyson, Ally, and I ventured out to a nearby grocery store only to find the lights off and the doors closed.  The clerk at the 7-11 next door told us that the merchandise fell off the shelves during the earthquake, so the store was forced to close.  The shelves at 7-11 were pretty bare, but we managed to stock up on some water and cups of noodle.

Ally, Allyson, and Cindy at the nearly empty convenience store.

Throughout the night the tremors continued off and on, but I feel guilty even mentioning my lack of sleep when I think about all the people who are struggling with much bigger problems right now.  Especially for those communities closest to the tsunami, the challenges are just beginning.  While other people may return to their normal lives, they face the loss of friends and family, homes, and all their possessions.  My heart and prayers go out to the people of Japan right now who are in the midst of this turmoil and tragedy.  Please pray for them not only today, but in the weeks and months ahead as they try to rebuild their lives.

Picture of the tsunami taken from the Associated Press website

The Times They Are A-Changin'

It’s that time again…moving time! 

Last week I received my official job placement.  The Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church pastors and higher-ups meet once a year to make decisions about where to place seminary graduates and new missionaries.  For the next two years I will teach English at Kyushu Gakuin in Kumamoto (that’s on the southern island of Japan).  I will teach English to kindergarten, junior high, and high school students at a private Lutheran school.  Religious schools in Japan are a bit different from the States though.  In America, generally students go to religious schools because their family is Christian, and the parents want those values instilled in their children.  In Japan, many students and staff working at the schools are not Christian, but they choose the schools based on their reputations for strong education programs.  The churches and Christian schools view this as an opportunity to introduce students to Christianity, and this is usually done through daily chapel services, religion classes, and staff members who are Christians.  I am looking forward to giving chapel speeches and openly share my faith as opportunities arise. In a country where less than 1 % is Christian, I am thankful that I can share my faith through my daily interactions with others in words and actions.

This is my last week of intensive Japanese language training, but I will continue studying Japanese once I arrive in Kumamoto.  I still have times when I get frustrated over not having the vocabulary to say what I really want to say, but I can also see that I have made significant progress in my language skills.  I hope and pray that I can continue improving my Japanese in the years ahead and use those skills to assist me in forming meaningful relationships.

Currently I’m having mixed feelings about moving.  On the one hand, it will be hard to leave the people and places that I’ve come to love in the Tokyo area.  On the other hand, I am definitely looking forward to meeting my new students, co-workers, church members, and friends.  This is my fourth move since June, and the moving process and transition time is not something that I enjoy.  Please keep me in your prayers during this time of transitions as one chapter ends and a new one begins.

Ally, Allyson, and Me on Placement Day