The past two days have been a blur for me. Lots of things going on in a short time. But it has proven again how helpful it is to have the GRIT team here. Let me tell you the Daycare story!
Our neighbor, who is a cook for the nearby daycare center, invited our whole group to view fireflies one night with the daycare children. Norman and I were too busy preparing for other things, but the GRITers jumped at the chance. Even though they didn’t know much Japanese, they happily went. Turned out that a couple daycare staff knew some English. And the principal of the school invited them to visit the following week at 10 a.m. to join in their English time.
We had time in our schedule to do this, so I accompanied them to the daycare. Our friend and fellow-Christian Keiko joined us, too, and hit it off with the principal and the kids! We sang silly songs in English, introduced ourselves, had a question and answer time, and then were invited to stay for lunch! Despite the fact that some of the GRITers are less than adventurous when it comes to food, they did an admirable job cleaning their “bowls.” Good job!!
Our family has a standing invitation to drop by the daycare any time, and because of the GRITers being here, we now have new contacts right down the road!
That evening, we attended my English conversation class at the cafe downtown. It was a small group, but we got to meet and talk.
Today (Thursday) was very interesting and fun, too, with God at work again. We attended an English time at a Japanese friend’s house, and she invited about 6 sixth grade girls over to learn English from Amanda G., whose dream is to be an English teacher some day. They had a Q&A time, and then the whole group played a game in English.
While the young people were doing that, I was able to spend time talking to a new person from Singapore. We got to discuss our religious backgrounds, the common bond we have in learning Japanese, and getting to know each other. I hope to be able to meet her again soon.
Earlier this week, the GRIT girls were able to share the gospel with some Japanese ladies who spoke some English. They gave us their contact information, so who knows what God will do with that!
Coming up next is homestays in Japanese houses and the GRIT concert. Thank you for your prayers! God can do more than we can imagine!
Every day, the students take one hour to study the Bible and pray. Keeping close to the Lord is vitally important to spiritual growth.
The concert is on Sunday afternoon at a tearoom. Time to practice!
More practicing!
Song time at the daycare
“Look at my boo-boo right here!”
“Hmmm. I hope it’s good!”
(clockwise from top left) Green tea, salad and deep-fried vegetable ball, tofu side dish, pork broth soup with bean sprouts, and special rice! Would YOU like some?
This was my table mate. He was rather quiet!
Coffee and English conversation time
The whole group at the English conversation class
The GRITers help prepare food for the group each day. Amanda’s eyes were bothered by the onions, so she tried a new method to counteract it!
Playing an English game with the sixth grade girls
The girls had fun, and the winners each received an authentic dollar bill! The losers got real American quarters!