After a busy couple of weeks, it has been nice to be back “home” for a regular week of readers and classes. We are grateful for the experiences we’ve had, but also thankful to get caught up a bit on our rest and our relationships here. Consequently, this week’s report will be a good bit shorter than recent weeks.
We did manage to get out for a wonderful lunch with the Fukushimas. I think this was my first experience with shabu shabu. It was delicious! They bring a hotpot to your table and fill it with your choice of broth. Note: this restaurant has custom pots that allow you to have two different broths going at the same time. You order a set amount of beef and pork and then there is an unlimited buffet of ingredients, side dishes, and desserts. The meat is cut extremely thin (1- or 2-millimeters), so it doesn’t take long to cook in the broth and pickup the flavors of whatever you add with it. It was a fun experience, and of course the company was the best.
Our last Casual Party of the summer was the most fun! We finished off our tour of Texas by dividing into two teams and playing a game of Texas Trivia. One of the members brought a piñata that she and her granddaughter made at a recent craft event, so we let the winning team have the first crack at it with a broom handle. It was a tough one! Everybody managed to get in a swing or two before it spilled its candy. The parties this year have been so much fun! The activities were a hit, but more importantly the fellowship and getting to know each other more deeply has been very encouraging. We look forward to the possibility that we will return next year and begin holding Casual Parties again.
One of our secondary goals for this trip was to find out more about what language schools we might be interested in next year. I had researched a number of schools online, but after talking with Leslie Taylor a couple of weeks ago, it became obvious that we should start with TAC – Tokyo Academy of Communication. WOW! We were blown away. I filled out the inquiry form online, and we received an invitation to spend a morning observing class. It is a small language school, so the class at each skill level contains just a handful of people. More importantly, nearly everyone involved is a Christian, and most of them are also involved in some sort of ministry. The school is located in the Ochanomizu Christian Center building which contains offices for a number of Christian organizations and ministries. The large black placard pictured above hangs in the lobby. It references Romans 12:11 which reads, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” Takahashi sensei employs a rather unique “coaching” method instead of the usual textbook and lecture approach, and we both came away ready to sign up and forget the rest of the schools on the list!
Not only did we get to observe the whole class session, we were included in the lesson and got to participate in the discussions! Furthermore, they had planned a potluck lunch that day as a farewell sendoff to one of the classmates. She and her husband head back to the States for six months to raise additional support funds. Without hesitation, we were invited to stay for lunch and everyone was very warm and engaging. I popped next door to a konbini (convenience store) to add to the meal, and we enjoyed getting to know everyone a little bit better. After the festivities were over, we stayed a bit longer and chatted with both of the teachers. Takahashi sensei and Yamamoto sensei truly see this as a ministry, and we can’t wait to get started learning how to communicate more effectively with them.
Just like last year, this trip included my birthday. Unlike last year, this time I reached the half-century mark! Emily found some really yummy sweet corn and fixed some delicious steak, and we topped it off with some castella cake. If you are wondering why it looks like the candles are suggesting I am 73 years old, it’s because those were the only two candles we had on hand. Then, I realized that they could also mean 7/3 as in July 3rd – my birthday! I’m grateful for what God has done in these first 50 years, and I’m excited for what is coming next.
For a parting shot this week, here are a pair of sisters exploring one of Emily’s instruments. It is a guiro (pronounced “wee-roh”) that produces a neat sound when the scraper is rubbed along the bumps on the hollow part – in this case a frog. Such a sweet interaction between these girls as they explore together.
We have one more week until it’s time to head back to Memphis. These past five weeks have gone so fast! But as I think back to everyone we have been blessed to interact with this Summer, it’s hard to imagine how we fit it all in. We treasure the people here, and we pray that God will use our feeble efforts in service of His kingdom going forward. Thank you to those of you who have been praying for us, sending encouraging messages, and finding ways to engage with this work. We truly appreciate it!
~ Clay
Fowlers in Japan 