Wow. It's been a long time.
Sorry everyone! My internet has been a bit in and out these past few weeks, but that's really no excuse for my total negligence of this blog. I'm pretty busy these days, but I have settled into the swing of my daily life and I'm enjoying my life in Tokyo very much. God's blessing on Chi Alpha and the various ministry projects of each of the Chi Alpha missionaries, YWAM friends, and pastors I've met is really astounding. The depth of His love for this nation is unfathomable - if only more would open their hearts to receive it!
I have had some incredible opportunities lately. In my Japanese class, I participated in a traditional tea ceremony last week. At work, I met a representative from a U.S. Department of State funded educational project between Japan and America. They want me to help them next summer when they bring in 30 American high school students. The native check job is educational. My most recent project is checking the homepage for a Nano-satellite project. I get to constantly explain why I'm really in Japan - which is great. I started tutoring a 12 yr. old Korean boy last Thursday nights after my English class at Megumi Christ Church, which is also going well. On average, we have about 20 kids each week and the parents are really getting involved. Teaching English has actually been super refreshing for me. I love going to the yochien and to Megumi each week. The kids are adorable. I was worried about how I would feel about these classes when I first came to Japan - as I'd never taught children before and didn't really know that I'd be able to do well at it all - but God has really used it to bless me! This weekend, I was finally able to meet up with the girl who sat next to me on the plane in September. She took me to an incredibly beautiful open-air architecture museum. On the way to meet her, I saw Mt. Fuji on the horizon for the first time. Words can't describe it.
Japan is beautiful. Even in the city, everyone is out and about taking pictures of the fall leaves. The trees on Todai's campus are unbelievable! I have some pictures up on Facebook - but they don't do the golden leaves justice at all. Everyone loves the leaves, so they leave them on the major walkways of the campus while they are turning and falling. It's a bit like walking on a street of gold, and the leaves are continuously falling - it's just amazing!
We had a Monopoly game day a few weeks ago at the Chi Alpha Student Center. I think 44 people came! Praise God! It was so, so, so much fun! We played Monopoly for HOURS and then fed everyone curry rice! Pray for the new friendships we made that day! I have been meeting weekly with a couple students from each of the campuses we focus on, so please be in prayer for those meetings as well! I need more wisdom, and they need more understanding - and God has plenty of both! Thank you!
Now, we are preparing for our Chi Alpha Christmas events. Our first outreach is this coming Friday, Dec. 10, at the Student Center. The following week, we have two Christmas parties at Todai, I have one at Megumi Christ Church, the yochien, and a friend's bridal shower that Friday as well. It's going to be a busy couple of weeks, but I'm excited about what God has in store! Please remember Chi Alpha Japan this holiday season - as it is everywhere, Christmas is a time of special openness to the Gospel - so please remember Chi Alpha and the churches of Japan (specifically my churches here: Tokyo Urban Church and International Christian Assembly - both have Christmas services on Dec. 19, and Megumi Christ Church - our English class has a party on Dec. 16 and they will also have a main church service). Thank you so much!
I'll try not to stay gone so long next time! Thank you for all your encouragement and your prayers - they really mean the world to me!
Until soon!
Amanda
