Homecoming, Exercise Shows, & Changes

Well sometimes things come up and you just have to run with it.

Last Thursday I found out that the missionary I worked with last year in Nagoya was unexpectedly returning to England after sixteen years of ministry at the youth center. I was asked to substitute while they look for a replacement. So I have packed a month’s worth of clothing and am residing in Nagoya for the next month or so. Going back to Nagoya was like returning home. It has been wonderful seeing friends and former students. I also loved returning to my wonderful St. Stephen's Church family.

While they were fixing the apartment I will be living in, I stayed with one of my coworkers and my Japanese grandmother. My coworker speaks fluent English, loves American TV shows, and is an amazing cook. So I felt right at home. My Japanese grandmother is also an amazing cook and a very lively person. One evening after dinner we watched a concert on TV. The entire time she and I made fun of the young singers. I know it’s kind of bad but we were enjoying ourselves. At point in the evening we changed the channel to an exercise program. You should have seen us! We were trying all the exercises right along with the people but most of time we just laughed at how bad we were. 

Most of my work in Nagoya is comprised of teaching English at St. Luke’s youth center. But I have also taken up the task of organizing all of the materials. Never in my life did I think I would enjoy this task so much. Occasionally I also eat with the kids of ELCC. During the day at the St. Luke’s Church there is a school for Filipino children. This school prepares the kids to go onto Japanese school or to go to school in the Philippines (if they end up going back). Last year I taught English, art, and helped with a PE class there. During lunch there is a mixture of at least three languages (Japanese, Tagalog, English) being spoken. I love listening to them go back and forth. There is never a dull moment. 

While I am working in Nagoya I am also continuing some of my work from Sendai. I have recently taken up writing a weekly blog about the events happening in the project. Please check out letuswalktogether.blogspot.com. This last week was the second year anniversary of the disaster. I know I say this a lot but there is still so much that needs to be done for the victims. Please continue to keep the victims and the Let Us Walk Together Project in your thoughts and prayers.

Katie