That's right - I'm home. My first couple of days here felt like I was floating through a dream. Mostly because I've had countless dreams about this place, so it would make sense for it to be a figment of the hopes that once filled my sleep.
When I came home from Japan last year, there was an indescribable hurt, a longing, that filled every part of me. I went through such a dark period for a long time, and I don't think I was ever really clear of it. Things didn't seem right where I was. I kept telling myself that God wanted me to be home for a reason - but why? What reason could He have had for me being home? I wanted to go back. I wanted to go back so badly! It hurt me so deeply. I've never been in a relationship, but I think I can say with certainty that I experienced my first feeling of a broken heart. (I explained this to one of my friends later as a "geographical breakup.") I had countless dreams of me going back. I woke up sad each time.
I was bitter and angry. No one understood what I was going through. How could they? Especially after all that had happened while I was gone. No one had experienced an earthquake like that! No one knew! But that was because I didn't tell anyone. I didn't open up. I locked myself up inside, putting barriers all around. I was full of anger, bitterness, and hurt, yes - but also pride. I didn't want anyone to know. I assumed all they would try to do would be to sympathize with me, so why bother? I didn't want sympathy!
After months upon months of these feelings, there came a time where I mentioned something to a large group of people about Japan. Someone made a remark about the earthquake, and I suddenly found myself pouring out my heart about the whole experience. I felt a giant weight lifting off of me as I talked. Afterwards, a few of my friends approached me individually and told me how meaningful it was for them to hear that and how much it impacted them. I stopped in my tracks and realized how self-absorbed I had been prior to that day. I kept thinking of how it would affect me to tell people these things - how it would make me feel. I never once stopped to think of how it would affect others because of the experience God put me through. It's all for HIM! His name be praised! "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9
A little while later, God landed an absolutely incredible passage of scripture in my lap.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our
troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort
we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the
sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we
are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are
comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient
endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is
firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also
you share in our comfort." - 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
There were two occasions where I sent this passage to friends who were hurting, and when I did, it affected me so powerfully. God put me through the pain of leaving the land I loved so I could comfort others later on who would experience similar hurts. God shares in my sufferings. He shares in my comforts.
This summer, I really feel like I grew so much closer to a lot of my friends - many of whom I had grown up with my whole life. In the past few months I feel like I really came to know them better than I had in the past 5, 10, 15+ years. I think it was because my being gone from them for six months made me appreciate so many things about them that I never stopped to take the time to notice before. I have such amazing, beautiful, wonderful friends. They are such blessings to me. And that worried me.
As the time drew closer for me to return to Japan, I became sad. I felt like I had just gotten to know everyone so incredibly well, and then I was leaving. I didn't want to leave them behind - I loved these people!
Last time I went to Japan, I couldn't get out of America fast enough. I was beyond excited and was throwing myself full steam ahead. I had just graduated high school, and I think I had that feeling of, "I need to find myself," along with the fact that I loved everything I knew about Japan. Two weeks after my 18th birthday, I moved to Japan. (Nothing like graduating into adulthood by moving to the other side of the world.)
This time, I was sort of oblivious to the fact that I was going to Japan. I mean, I knew I was going, it just didn't hit me that I was going. I figured that until it did hit me, I would just assume that my feelings and emotions would be the exact same as last time. So, while I waited, I acted super excited (which I was in a way,) and kept telling people I couldn't wait to go.
One week before my plane was set to leave - it hit me. But this time, instead of throwing myself as hard as I could against the reigns to go, I dug my heels into the dirt with such intense vigor. I was having an internal war with myself. "How can I leave?! I can't leave! I'm just getting so close to everyone here! I love these people! How can I leave this?! And for a year? Impossible. But no, I miss my students in Japan so much. No! I want to stay!" It was mayhem.
But then I had a talk with one of my dearest friends, who knew exactly how I was feeling. After talking to them, I felt so encouraged and comforted. I was excited to go back. Sure, it wasn't with the same intensity as last time, but I was excited.
The day I left, I was at the airport surrounded by my family and a few friends who braved the early morning hours to see me off. I felt loved. As I was sitting there with them, I felt at peace. Peace with the relationships I had, peace about leaving, peace about what God had in store for me.
Then I entered dreamland. I was on a plane to Japan. But was I really? There was a close call at LAX (my connecting flight) where I was told I wouldn't be allowed to go to Japan because I didn't have a return-home ticket. After countless prayers and what seemed like ages, things worked out just fine and I was allowed to go to my gate. I was ecstatic. It hit me then that there was absolutely nothing that could get in the way of me and Japan if that was where God wanted me to be! I was so confident as I boarded my flight. I knew I would have to go through immigration when I got there and that I had had issues with that last time, but I didn't care. I knew that if God wanted me there, I was getting in!
As the plane drew close to Tokyo, I peeked out the window to see if I could catch a glimpse of the city. We weren't close enough to see it yet, but I did get an eyeful of the gorgeous star-strewn night sky! It was absolutely beautiful. The moon was shining brightly on the ocean and made such a beautiful image. I stared at it for about 10 minutes... and then the city came in view. I can't remember the last time I smiled so big. There it was - the place that caused so many tear-filled nights and my broken heart. It was there. It was waiting for me! The lights of the city were shining so brilliantly. I could feel God's love for me in the lights of a city. I almost burst into tears as the plane hit the airfield. I was back. I was home. (I almost screamed this in Japanese, but thought better of it as I looked around at my fellow sleepy passengers.)
I got off the plane and bolted to the bathroom. There it was - a Japanese toilet! Yes, this may sound odd, but that was the first thing I saw that really made me aware that I was in Japan! The insane amount of buttons on the side, the strange stream noise that goes off as soon as you sit down so as to drown out any "embarrassing sounds." Yeah, it's weird - but it's Japan!
After that, I walked to immigration. There were so many people there, so it took a really long time. There was a lady going through the crowd checking everyone's passports and forms to make sure everything was filled out correctly. She came to me and I was able to use a little bit of Japanese, which was awesome. When it was my turn, I walked up and confidently gave the person there my passport. 2 minutes later, I was walking through customs with all my luggage (PRAISE GOD, MY LUGGAGE WAS THERE!!) and a huge smile on my face! But... no one was there waiting for me. Uh-oh. That was unexpected. I meandered about for a couple of minutes, but found no one there. I pulled aside for a second and tried to figure out what my next step should be. I was just convincing myself to exchange the few dollars I had into yen to I could make a phone call when I spotted my ride. Apparently, my flight was a little early. My host mom and my roommate from last time (she's studying at a university in Tokyo this semester and came to visit) came to pick me up.
As we started driving, I realized how normal I felt. Yes, I was excited to be back in Japan and to see the two of them, but at the same time things felt completely normal. Last time I couldn't keep my eyes off of the street signs and buildings and cars and everything. This time, it felt like it was a normal day in my normal life and I was driving to my normal home. It was good to be back.
We got to the house and I sat down with the rest of my host family and we all caught each other up on the goings-on in our lives. After that, I unpacked all of my bags (into the same room I had before, so I knew exactly where to put everything) and then plopped down on my Japanese futon. I had missed that so much.
Just like last time, I had no jetlag. What a blessing! I woke up the next morning and was ready to conquer the day! Carol (my host mom) and I drove to the school where I will be working again. I spent most of the day going over the curriculum I will be using for English class. I got to see the other teachers and a couple of the students as well! It was so good to see everyone again.
That evening, Jenna (my roommate) and I went to the city to get one of the greatest Japanese foods of all time - ramen. We took the bus there, and I had my first stupid foreigner moment. I was getting off the bus and paying, but apparently I was putting my
money in the wrong slot. Every time I put a coin in, it shot out a ton
of coins, and I was SO confused! Apparently there was a place to pay,
and a place to make change for yourself. Ugh, the poor bus driver - he
was so nice and patient as he told me how it worked. I felt like such an
idiot, though. The embarrassing part was that there was a line of people
behind me waiting to get off, and they were probably thinking, "stupid
foreigner." Oh well, we learn from our mistakes! And I was due for a moment of humbling.
We walked to the ramen shop, which is owned by one of my very good friend's dad. He was very welcoming and excited to see us. He kept thanking me, because his daughter had come and stayed with me in America last month. (He ended up not charging us for the ramen. The only thing better than ramen is free ramen!) One of the other members (who is also my neighbor here) of the team I'm working with just happened to be at the ramen shop as well. It was fun being there with people I know and laughing together.
That evening I came home and took my host family's dog, Rusty, for a walk because he was whining a lot. While I was walking him, someone pulled up and parked their car right by me on the road. It was the wife of the man who owns the ramen shop I had just come from! It was such a random encounter, but it was so good to see her!! One thing I love about Japan is that I feel like I'm always running into someone I know.
The next day I went to the school again for more lesson planning and saw even more of the students! They never fail to bring a smile to my face. :) I had to go to the post office to get some money out of the ATM, so I decided to walk there from the school. I was asked, "Do you remember how to get there?" I don't think I could forget. I walked around so much last time I was here. I loved walking along the familiar road, stopping to get one of my favorite drinks out of what would be a randomly placed vending machine by America's standards, but here is completely normal.
That evening, some of my Japanese friends dropped by to say hello. They brought me delicious Asian pears and Japanese snacks!
On Sunday morning, I awoke to the familiar smell of coffee cake for breakfast. I had forgotten - every Sunday morning, this was what was eaten in this house. I am so excited to be a part of this routine again.
After breakfast, we went to church in the building right next to our school. I joined in on an adults' Sunday School before the church service. It was in English, which I was thankful for, because the church service is entirely in Japanese. Right now they are talking about Romans in SS. I was pleasantly surprised when I found that out. It's been a desire of mine for maybe two years to be a part of a Sunday School or Bible Study focusing on Romans. It's so cool that God has given me that opportunity, even if it has been two years since that desire of mine began.
During the church service, we sang well-known worship music in Japanese. I can't tell you how much I had missed this. I have such an attachment to Japanese worship songs, because that's how I taught myself one of the Japanese alphabets last time I was here. It was so cool being able to sing and actually understand a lot of the words this time, though. I even understood a good amount of the sermon, which was also in Japanese!
After church, so many people came up to me and welcomed me back. I got to see more of my students from last time, as well!
God also answered another huge prayer of mine that day! Last time I was in Japan, I feel like I spent a lot of time hanging out with the other interns - going to do lots of fun things together. This wasn't exactly a bad thing, but I knew a little bit then and think back strongly on it now about how much I wished I could have spent more time with my students and the Japanese people. Last time I would work hard at the school during the day, but at the end of the day and on the weekends, the interns and I would go out to eat or go to Tokyo or whatever. I realize how much of my free time was spent doing fun touristy stuff, instead of getting to know the people here more. This time around, I've been praying that God would provide opportunities for me to spend time with more people. Well, after the service on Sunday, I had multiple people come up to me, people I didn't really see much last time, and they said how much they wanted to hang out with me! I was blown away and so excited! God is answering my prayers in such unbelievable ways!!
I went home on Sunday afternoon, and got the urge to go on a photographic extravaganza. The rice paddies right by my house were in bloom and looked absolutely beautiful! So, I packed up my camera and my iPod and went on a walk. As soon as I stepped outside, I was amazed at how cool it was. The weather has been in the 90's since I got here with so much humidity, but a breeze had rolled in and made it feel wonderful out! I decided to walk to the park about 5 minutes away by foot. I found a little grassy spot in the middle of this pond area that was secluded and beautiful, and just sat there for about half an hour, enjoying the day. (I couldn't help but think of Winnie the Pooh and his "thinking spot" as I sat there.)
That evening, I asked Jenna if she wanted to come with me to the Starbucks just down the road. It's a favorite spot of ours, so we walked there together. It was fun ordering my usual drink in Japanese again. Last time I didn't speak much Japanese, but man, did I know how to order my Starbucks!
I spent most of the day today setting up and organizing one of (yes, this implies more than one) my classrooms at the school. Today I focused on the middle school room, where I'll be teaching pre-algebra, language arts, Bible, and tutoring someone in English. It was fun organizing desks and shelves how I wanted them organized. :D
The rest of this week, I will be lesson planning in preparation of school starting next week. There is lots to do, so please be praying!
Also, I seem to have come down with a nasty cough. I absolutely detest coughs more than any other illness, so obviously it makes sense for that to be the first sickness I catch in Japan. Please, please be praying for my health! I would hate to not have a voice the first week of school, and it's just not fun being sick!
I am about to keel over from exhaustion, so I'd better go. I apologize for the length of this blog. I really didn't expect it to be this long! If you read it all the way through, you are a champ!!
Thank you for your prayers and messages and comments and all of the wonderful things people have been messaging me. I am one blessed girl. :)
Melanie
Monday, August 27, 2012
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Yard Sale Update
I can't believe how much stuff was donated for this yard sale!!! We ended up raising over $2,100! AMAZING!!! God really does provide! This brings me up to about 42%. So grateful for all of the donations brought in, the people who shopped around, and the people who donated their time to setting up on Friday night and running the thing on Saturday! I know some absolutely wonderful people. I could really feel Christ's love for me through these people this weekend. :) Here are some pictures:
These are some people who came in to shop before our official "open" time! Who knew yard salers were so hardcore?! CRAZY!
Thursday, July 19, 2012
The Support, the Friends, and the Yard Sale
Hi friends! I'd say it's about time to write an update, wouldn't you agree? Let's get crackin'!
So, support raising is a bit sluggish at the moment, but it's thanks to my previous learning experience with support raising that I can say that I am really trusting God through this whole process. If He taught me anything from last time, it was that He has a plan and timing for everything! It could be so easy to feel heavyhearted that the support isn't coming in very quickly, and there are times when I begin to get discouraged, but at the moment I am so thankful that He has provided any support at all! I feel confident that He wants me to go back - I'm just unaware of how long He wants me to be there. But that's okay, because however long I will be there will be by His timing, and I can only pray that I would glorify Him through the whole experience and that He would use me in whatever way He chooses.
About a month ago, I had the wonderful opportunity of having one of my good friends from Japan visit with me for a few days. It was so wonderful being able to see someone from Japan after being away for over a year! I loved having my two worlds - my American family and my Japan family - together! And it was all through Christ that it was possible! While she was here, I was able to practice my Japanese, and she her English. It was so nice having a one-on-one tutor to answer all of my silly questions, and to teach me origami. :) It was also fun introducing her to many new things! We went to the D.C. Zoo together, made pizza at my house (her pizzas looked so much better than mine, which is a little embarrassing considering my occupation is making the stuff ;-)) and she got to experience her first American wedding! Having her here made me appreciate the little things about my everyday life that I take for granted. Every morning when I woke up I would find her looking out my bedroom window at my yard, and she would always say, "So green!" I had forgotten how much I had loved when I came home from Japan last time to find the beautiful green of Virginia, and realized how much I had missed it while being away. Having her here also fed the fire of my excitement of going back to Japan. It was so cool when we were saying our goodbyes and were able to say, "Bye! See you in Japan!" and talk about the plans we've already made of what we're going to do together when we both return.
I'm very excited because my church is hosting a giant yard sale this Saturday as a fundraiser event for my Japan trip! It's going to be so much fun, and I am so overjoyed and grateful for the (literal) mounds of donations my church and friends have brought for the yard sale! Please be praying that it would be a successful event, and that the weather would stay nice!
One thing I've been realizing recently is how much more difficult leaving will be this time. When I returned from Japan last year, I think I realized how much I had taken all of my wonderful relationships here for granted. I feel like in the last year I've become so much closer to so many people than I have in the decade or more that I've known them. It's so wonderful, but at the same time I am sad to be leaving so soon after building these relationships up even stronger. When I left for Japan for the first time, I honestly wasn't sad at all. I was so incredibly excited beyond belief, that there was no trace of sadness. It was a wonderful, adventurous experiment that I was looking forward to braving through! This time, it's so familiar and yet new at the same time. I am a changed person from the last time I left. This time will be different on many levels.
Yes, I will be sad to leave this time, but I am still incredibly excited to return to the country I love so dearly! I can't wait to see my old students! I can't wait to walk the streets of Chiba and Tokyo again! I can't wait to be able to speak and learn more Japanese! I can't wait to see my friends and Japan family! I can't wait to worship in Japanese again! I can't wait for the new experiences God has in store for me!
So, support raising is a bit sluggish at the moment, but it's thanks to my previous learning experience with support raising that I can say that I am really trusting God through this whole process. If He taught me anything from last time, it was that He has a plan and timing for everything! It could be so easy to feel heavyhearted that the support isn't coming in very quickly, and there are times when I begin to get discouraged, but at the moment I am so thankful that He has provided any support at all! I feel confident that He wants me to go back - I'm just unaware of how long He wants me to be there. But that's okay, because however long I will be there will be by His timing, and I can only pray that I would glorify Him through the whole experience and that He would use me in whatever way He chooses.
About a month ago, I had the wonderful opportunity of having one of my good friends from Japan visit with me for a few days. It was so wonderful being able to see someone from Japan after being away for over a year! I loved having my two worlds - my American family and my Japan family - together! And it was all through Christ that it was possible! While she was here, I was able to practice my Japanese, and she her English. It was so nice having a one-on-one tutor to answer all of my silly questions, and to teach me origami. :) It was also fun introducing her to many new things! We went to the D.C. Zoo together, made pizza at my house (her pizzas looked so much better than mine, which is a little embarrassing considering my occupation is making the stuff ;-)) and she got to experience her first American wedding! Having her here made me appreciate the little things about my everyday life that I take for granted. Every morning when I woke up I would find her looking out my bedroom window at my yard, and she would always say, "So green!" I had forgotten how much I had loved when I came home from Japan last time to find the beautiful green of Virginia, and realized how much I had missed it while being away. Having her here also fed the fire of my excitement of going back to Japan. It was so cool when we were saying our goodbyes and were able to say, "Bye! See you in Japan!" and talk about the plans we've already made of what we're going to do together when we both return.
I'm very excited because my church is hosting a giant yard sale this Saturday as a fundraiser event for my Japan trip! It's going to be so much fun, and I am so overjoyed and grateful for the (literal) mounds of donations my church and friends have brought for the yard sale! Please be praying that it would be a successful event, and that the weather would stay nice!
One thing I've been realizing recently is how much more difficult leaving will be this time. When I returned from Japan last year, I think I realized how much I had taken all of my wonderful relationships here for granted. I feel like in the last year I've become so much closer to so many people than I have in the decade or more that I've known them. It's so wonderful, but at the same time I am sad to be leaving so soon after building these relationships up even stronger. When I left for Japan for the first time, I honestly wasn't sad at all. I was so incredibly excited beyond belief, that there was no trace of sadness. It was a wonderful, adventurous experiment that I was looking forward to braving through! This time, it's so familiar and yet new at the same time. I am a changed person from the last time I left. This time will be different on many levels.
Yes, I will be sad to leave this time, but I am still incredibly excited to return to the country I love so dearly! I can't wait to see my old students! I can't wait to walk the streets of Chiba and Tokyo again! I can't wait to be able to speak and learn more Japanese! I can't wait to see my friends and Japan family! I can't wait to worship in Japanese again! I can't wait for the new experiences God has in store for me!
Friday, June 8, 2012
Update: Japan Round Two!
This past weekend I had the wonderful privilege of
spending some much needed vacation time at a young adults’ retreat in Pennsylvania with my church friends. While I
was there, I had some great conversations that made me realize I haven’t done a
good job at communicating exactly what I’m preparing to do in regards to Japan, and felt very
compelled to write to you all when I returned.
I can’t even begin to describe the joy God has given me at the chance
to return to Japan! Every day
I get one step closer to returning to the land God has put on my heart to love
so dearly. At this point, the only duties I am aware of receiving upon my
arrival will be teaching and tutoring English. I will be teaching first-sixth graders, a
majority of whom are past students of mine, which I am absolutely thrilled
about! I will also be tutoring two of my previous Japanese students in English
as they begin to take all of their seventh grade classes in English for the
first time. I will be helping them conversationally and with writing as they
start to write essays. There is always the high likelihood that I will take on
many other tasks while there. I am so excited about the new - and yet familiar -
duties I will be taking on!
My prayer is to be able to stay in Japan an entire
school year, unlike last time where I was only there for six months, meaning I
left in the middle of the school year. I have been invited and welcomed with
many loving and open arms to this idea. My correspondents and I have been
talking about me leaving in late August of this year and returning in early
July of next. In order for me to stay this long, I will need to raise a total
of $20,000. (With the funds I have raised so far, that leaves about $16,000 I still need to raise.) This will cover my travel, housing, utilities, food money, on-field
transportation, and other on-field ministry expenses. With this in mind, I ask
that you would support me in prayer that I would be able to raise these funds
before I leave. I ask that you would also pray to ask God if He may be calling
you to support me financially. While this may seem like a large sum of money, I
have assurance that God will provide for however long He wishes me to be there,
and that the support will come in His timing.
Should you feel God is calling you to help support me financially, please feel free to email me at flipflopsinwinter7@yahoo.com and I will give you the information you need. To put the amount of money I have to
raise into a different perspective, if 50 people pledged $30 to my account
monthly, this would cover all of my costs of living in Japan.
I would also like to ask for prayer for some friends of mine in Japan whose
daughter, Maia, has been experiencing heart issues since she was born almost
one year ago. She has a doctor’s appointment today, and they are praying to
finally receive a surgery date to repair the hole in Maia’s heart. (They
haven’t received a surgery date in the past because of other health issues.)
I would like to thank you for your prayers and support as I prepare to
leave. I can’t thank God enough for the loving church, family, and friends He has given me. I
have received so many loving words of encouragement, and I am incredibly
grateful!
If you would like to contact me about Japan, please
feel free to email me:
“I will instruct you and teach you in the
way you should go; I will counsel
you with my loving eye on you.” – Psalm 32:8
Through
Him,
Melanie
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Insomniatic Realization
I can’t sleep. I can‘t stop thinking about Japan! As soon as I think one thing about Japan, my mind immediately goes into Japan overload and I start thinking about everything Japan related!
I want to go back. That’s a definite. Of course, I wanted to go back the day I got back to the States in May. I knew I would go back, but when? My ideas for when to go didn’t seem at all as concrete as the last time I felt compelled to go. Every time I came up with a date, the idea would crash and burn harder than the Titanic vs. the iceberg. I got in contact with MTW about the possibility of me going for a month in July. I was told there wasn’t a need at that time. Hrm, okay, God was telling me no. That’s all right. Oh, but they asked if I’d be willing to stay for a longer period of time because of the need for teachers the next school year. I was kind of planning on studying Japanese next school year so… no? But then I started thinking about it.
Why couldn’t I stay later? Was it crucial for me to study Japanese at that exact time? Wasn’t it silly to say, “No, I can’t come to Japan because I’m busy studying Japanese”? Why did I feel more inclined towards the idea of staying longer than I did for going for only a month? I was pretty set on only being there for a month, and then this request was made of me and I suddenly felt more confident to do that? Okay, God was definitely telling me something! But unlike the first time I went, I wasn’t sure with every ounce of my being that this was what God was calling me to do. Okie dokie, time to pray, Melanie! So I did.
I’ve been praying about it, and although I don’t feel the same fiery, intense, I-know-beyond-a-shadow-of-a-doubt-that-this-is-what-I’m-being-called-to-do feeling behind going as I did last time, I really am starting to think that this may be what God is calling me to do.
I became sure of this just a few minutes ago as I realized that God was showing me for the bazillionth time that it’s His timing - not mine - that matters! When am I going to lock that away and remember it forever? It’s so dang important!
And so, while Melanie frolics about saying, “I’m going to Japan in July for a month and then I’m coming home to study some more, blah, blah, blah-“ God decided to roll up a newspaper, smack her across the nose (in the most loving way possible, of course) and say, “Oh, nu-uh girlfriend! You’re going to go next school year and teach!” To this Melanie responded with an articulate, “Wha-?” God nodded. Melanie looked puzzled, and proceeded to impress the masses with the beautiful use of the conjunction, “But!” God shook His head and finger and said, “Get the picture, girl! You may want to go in July for a month, but guess what? What I want and need is for you to go for the whole school year.” Melanie nodded slowly, still not grasping His words entirely.
I’m finally starting to get it. “His will, not my wants.” I said this to myself about an hour ago, and it finally hit me. This is what He wants, and if it’s not, then it’s not going to happen – I’m sure of that.
So I could use some prayer, because I’m going to be saying “yes” to working at CCSI next school year – and I can’t tell you how excited that makes me!
I initially decided to write this as a journal entry to myself in an attempt to organize the thoughts running through my head, but as I kept writing, I realized this is stuff I want and need people to read so they can be praying for me. Would you mind doing so?
I’ve already begun the application process, now it’s just a matter of letting the right people know that I really do feel like this is what God seems to be leading me to do.
“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” – 1 John 2:17
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” – James 1:5
I want to go back. That’s a definite. Of course, I wanted to go back the day I got back to the States in May. I knew I would go back, but when? My ideas for when to go didn’t seem at all as concrete as the last time I felt compelled to go. Every time I came up with a date, the idea would crash and burn harder than the Titanic vs. the iceberg. I got in contact with MTW about the possibility of me going for a month in July. I was told there wasn’t a need at that time. Hrm, okay, God was telling me no. That’s all right. Oh, but they asked if I’d be willing to stay for a longer period of time because of the need for teachers the next school year. I was kind of planning on studying Japanese next school year so… no? But then I started thinking about it.
Why couldn’t I stay later? Was it crucial for me to study Japanese at that exact time? Wasn’t it silly to say, “No, I can’t come to Japan because I’m busy studying Japanese”? Why did I feel more inclined towards the idea of staying longer than I did for going for only a month? I was pretty set on only being there for a month, and then this request was made of me and I suddenly felt more confident to do that? Okay, God was definitely telling me something! But unlike the first time I went, I wasn’t sure with every ounce of my being that this was what God was calling me to do. Okie dokie, time to pray, Melanie! So I did.
I’ve been praying about it, and although I don’t feel the same fiery, intense, I-know-beyond-a-shadow-of-a-doubt-that-this-is-what-I’m-being-called-to-do feeling behind going as I did last time, I really am starting to think that this may be what God is calling me to do.
I became sure of this just a few minutes ago as I realized that God was showing me for the bazillionth time that it’s His timing - not mine - that matters! When am I going to lock that away and remember it forever? It’s so dang important!
And so, while Melanie frolics about saying, “I’m going to Japan in July for a month and then I’m coming home to study some more, blah, blah, blah-“ God decided to roll up a newspaper, smack her across the nose (in the most loving way possible, of course) and say, “Oh, nu-uh girlfriend! You’re going to go next school year and teach!” To this Melanie responded with an articulate, “Wha-?” God nodded. Melanie looked puzzled, and proceeded to impress the masses with the beautiful use of the conjunction, “But!” God shook His head and finger and said, “Get the picture, girl! You may want to go in July for a month, but guess what? What I want and need is for you to go for the whole school year.” Melanie nodded slowly, still not grasping His words entirely.
I’m finally starting to get it. “His will, not my wants.” I said this to myself about an hour ago, and it finally hit me. This is what He wants, and if it’s not, then it’s not going to happen – I’m sure of that.
So I could use some prayer, because I’m going to be saying “yes” to working at CCSI next school year – and I can’t tell you how excited that makes me!
I initially decided to write this as a journal entry to myself in an attempt to organize the thoughts running through my head, but as I kept writing, I realized this is stuff I want and need people to read so they can be praying for me. Would you mind doing so?
I’ve already begun the application process, now it’s just a matter of letting the right people know that I really do feel like this is what God seems to be leading me to do.
“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” – 1 John 2:17
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” – James 1:5
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Shaken, Not Stirred
I was teaching English class on the second floor of the school when it all happened. At first, we all noticed the rumbling and didn’t think much of it because earthquakes happen so frequently here. But then it started gaining in intensity. Everyone stopped what they were doing, and you could see it in everyone’s faces as the realization hit that this wasn’t just another earthquake – this was a big one! The building started shaking like nothing I’d ever felt before. Everyone bolted for the stairs. We all ran to a small field right outside of the school and stood or sat there, feeling the earth shaking beneath our feet. A few of the younger students ran straight at me when we got to the field and they wrapped their arms around me, clutching my coat with all of their strength. I sat on the ground with them, holding them as tight as I could. So many scared faces could be seen in clusters all around me.
As we were all sitting there, prayers could be heard in English and Japanese coming from small groups of students and teachers alike. I had my Bible out at one point and started reading Psalm 46 aloud. A few people came over to listen, including some of the Japanese kids who could only understand limited amounts of English.
If I had to describe what the earthquake felt like, I’d say it reminded me of when I was little and I used to spin around in circles very fast in my living room and then plop to the floor. The ground beneath me would feel as though it were twisting and turning back and forth. It certainly doesn’t make you react the same way when it’s happening without you being dizzy.
When the initial earthquake was over, which lasted a little over five minutes, we were told that where we were it had reached 7.8 on the Richter scale, and that the epicenter was at 8.9. Most of us rushed into the school to see if everything was okay. Some of us went to the third floor of the school where we keep all of our books and curriculums. They were strewn across the floor. Pieces of shelves lay there with nails sticking up dangerously. It was a mess. We all went back downstairs and I watched as the students tried to call their families and weren’t able to get through due to the lines being busy. I felt odd not calling anyone, because the only people close enough to me that could be in danger were all in that building. (Thank God my family was home in Virginia, safe and sound!)
As I was in the building, the first aftershock hit. We all ran back outside to the field. The aftershock was long and intense, a lot like the earthquake. At one point, we could all smell a dangerous amount of gas. A couple of adults ran into the school and church to turn off the gas so the buildings wouldn’t explode. Lots of kids were crying, so a couple of the teachers and I were doing our best to comfort them. I was going from student to student until I was sure they were well enough that I could go to another person. There was one little boy in particular who was standing alone covering his face and shivering, so I ran up to him and wrapped my arms around him and held him tightly. After a long time, I could finally feel him relaxing.
When the earthquake and aftershocks were happening, I didn’t find myself scared at all. I was more in awe than anything else. I kept thinking, “Whoa! My God made this!” I could really feel His power as He shook the earth! The lyrics to “I Lift Up My Eyes” kept running through my head as well: “He will not let your foot be moved. He who watches over you will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord Himself watches over you; He is your shade at your right hand. So the sun will not smite you by day, nor the moon by the night.”
Parents began to show up at the school gradually and took their kids home. Those who were still at the school went into Honda Chapel next door because it was a very cold day going on an even colder evening. Everyone had cell phones, iPods, and laptops out to keep trying to get in contact with loved ones or to read articles and watch videos from the news. At one point most of us were crowded around one laptop and watched live footage of the tsunami and all the destruction it brought with it. We watched as a giant wall of water chased after cars that were desperately trying to escape on the roads. At one point it showed an aerial view of the water encircling a few cars that immediately stopped driving and just stayed there as the water closed in around them. The video feed ended just before it hit the cars. We all started praying right then and there and many of us were crying, including me. It really changes your perspective on things when you’re in such close proximity to a historical natural disaster as it unfolds. The footage we’ve been seeing has looked just like something out of a natural disaster movie. But this was really happening. Real people were dying and it was happening so close to where I was staying. And the chances of those people being Christians was so slim. We were all praying for them, that somehow God would have made Himself known to them in their last moments.
I was able to pull my computer out and Skype with my family at one point. As I was talking to them and assuring them that I was okay, everyone in the chapel went crowding over to the windows. I looked out and saw a mound of fire shooting into the sky. An oil refinery just five and a half miles from the house I’m staying in had exploded. 100 foot high flames could be seen easily from the chapel. I was able to show my parents some of the flames as it was happening. I talked to one of my English students and he told me that he was counting when the explosion happened, and five seconds later the doors to the chapel slammed shut with the force of the explosion. I saw two other explosions after the first one come from the same refinery.
As we were all sitting there, prayers could be heard in English and Japanese coming from small groups of students and teachers alike. I had my Bible out at one point and started reading Psalm 46 aloud. A few people came over to listen, including some of the Japanese kids who could only understand limited amounts of English.
If I had to describe what the earthquake felt like, I’d say it reminded me of when I was little and I used to spin around in circles very fast in my living room and then plop to the floor. The ground beneath me would feel as though it were twisting and turning back and forth. It certainly doesn’t make you react the same way when it’s happening without you being dizzy.
When the initial earthquake was over, which lasted a little over five minutes, we were told that where we were it had reached 7.8 on the Richter scale, and that the epicenter was at 8.9. Most of us rushed into the school to see if everything was okay. Some of us went to the third floor of the school where we keep all of our books and curriculums. They were strewn across the floor. Pieces of shelves lay there with nails sticking up dangerously. It was a mess. We all went back downstairs and I watched as the students tried to call their families and weren’t able to get through due to the lines being busy. I felt odd not calling anyone, because the only people close enough to me that could be in danger were all in that building. (Thank God my family was home in Virginia, safe and sound!)
As I was in the building, the first aftershock hit. We all ran back outside to the field. The aftershock was long and intense, a lot like the earthquake. At one point, we could all smell a dangerous amount of gas. A couple of adults ran into the school and church to turn off the gas so the buildings wouldn’t explode. Lots of kids were crying, so a couple of the teachers and I were doing our best to comfort them. I was going from student to student until I was sure they were well enough that I could go to another person. There was one little boy in particular who was standing alone covering his face and shivering, so I ran up to him and wrapped my arms around him and held him tightly. After a long time, I could finally feel him relaxing.
When the earthquake and aftershocks were happening, I didn’t find myself scared at all. I was more in awe than anything else. I kept thinking, “Whoa! My God made this!” I could really feel His power as He shook the earth! The lyrics to “I Lift Up My Eyes” kept running through my head as well: “He will not let your foot be moved. He who watches over you will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord Himself watches over you; He is your shade at your right hand. So the sun will not smite you by day, nor the moon by the night.”
Parents began to show up at the school gradually and took their kids home. Those who were still at the school went into Honda Chapel next door because it was a very cold day going on an even colder evening. Everyone had cell phones, iPods, and laptops out to keep trying to get in contact with loved ones or to read articles and watch videos from the news. At one point most of us were crowded around one laptop and watched live footage of the tsunami and all the destruction it brought with it. We watched as a giant wall of water chased after cars that were desperately trying to escape on the roads. At one point it showed an aerial view of the water encircling a few cars that immediately stopped driving and just stayed there as the water closed in around them. The video feed ended just before it hit the cars. We all started praying right then and there and many of us were crying, including me. It really changes your perspective on things when you’re in such close proximity to a historical natural disaster as it unfolds. The footage we’ve been seeing has looked just like something out of a natural disaster movie. But this was really happening. Real people were dying and it was happening so close to where I was staying. And the chances of those people being Christians was so slim. We were all praying for them, that somehow God would have made Himself known to them in their last moments.
I was able to pull my computer out and Skype with my family at one point. As I was talking to them and assuring them that I was okay, everyone in the chapel went crowding over to the windows. I looked out and saw a mound of fire shooting into the sky. An oil refinery just five and a half miles from the house I’m staying in had exploded. 100 foot high flames could be seen easily from the chapel. I was able to show my parents some of the flames as it was happening. I talked to one of my English students and he told me that he was counting when the explosion happened, and five seconds later the doors to the chapel slammed shut with the force of the explosion. I saw two other explosions after the first one come from the same refinery.
We think this may have been the sun setting behind the fire
Aftershocks just kept coming and we would all run out of the building if it were a particularly strong one. Those of us still there at the chapel were fed by some of the moms there who cooked up some rice and heated up whatever other food there was on-hand. We entertained the little ones so they would be distracted and not scared.
After what felt like ages, I left the building with my host family and Jenna and Jessica. Jenna and I were spending the night at the house where Jessica is staying. We had been planning on having a movie night and shopping this weekend. That was the last thing on our minds then. We spent the entire night informing family and friends as they began to wake up in America that we were safe and sound, and also kept reading and watching the news. There were six of us in the house and each of us had our laptops out, spitting out facts and statistics whenever we’d find something new online or sharing pictures we’d find of the damage. One of our team members here had taken video footage of some disturbing cracks in the ground where he was working. You could see the ground moving as the cracks increased and decreased in size. The ground looked like it was breathing! His video was picked up by CNN, so some of you may have seen it.
At 10:00ish, Jenna, Jessica, and I decided to try to go to bed. There were still frequent aftershocks, so we didn’t know if we’d be able to sleep or not. We were exhausted enough to try, though. As we were climbing into bed, we decided to read the Bible, pray, and just talk about some things that really impacted us that day. We all came to the agreement that it was the longest day of our lives. We started talking about some things that had happened earlier in the day prior to the earthquake, things that had bothered and irritated us. Those things seem so petty and insignificant to us now! We prayed for a long time after that. After shocks just kept coming, so I prayed, “Lord, could you please have these aftershocks stop soon? We’d really appreciate some sleep-“ and at that exact moment, a huge aftershock started, so I continued, “or, that works too!” We all started laughing so hard. (God really does have an interesting sense of humor!) I looked down at my watch at one point and saw that it was midnight. We all sighed in relief that the day was finally over. We fell asleep a little bit after that.
At 4:30 in the morning, I was awoken and told that we were all going to go downstairs to the living room. There was a loud announcement we could hear, but we didn’t understand it because it was in Japanese. We decided to be safe and stay on the first floor just in case. It was freezing. We all bundled up in blankets and waited. An hour later, nothing had happened except more aftershocks, so we all went back upstairs to sleep.
We slept until 8:15, then we got up and Skyped with our families. After that, I went to the grocery store to buy some things with the wife of the couple we were staying with. The lines at the store were ridiculously long. There was absolutely no bread or eggs on the shelves.
I’m now back at my host family’s house. For those of you worried about the close proximity of this house to the oil refinery, things are just fine here! Just a few things fallen off of shelves and a little bit of broken glass. Aftershocks just keep coming. I’ve lost count of how many have happened just as I’ve been writing this. I was woken up a couple of times last night by some pretty intense aftershocks. We were listening to the news today and they’ve said that the 8.9 earthquake was actually a 9.0! After going over the seismic waves, they realized it was more intense.
Today has been the warmest day we’ve had in a while. There are no clouds in the sky, but instead of a bright blue clear day, there’s this dark hue to the blue. The sky looks dirty. It’s a little scary. We’ve been warned that if it starts raining sometime and we get rained on, we need to wash ourselves off immediately because of toxins in the clouds. Please keep us in your prayers that we would all stay healthy and that we would not get affected by the toxins or radiation in the air. We’re far enough from the coast that we haven’t had any effects from the tsunami, thank God.
Thank you to those of you who have written to me to see if I’m all right, to those who have called my family for updates on my safety, and to all of you who have been praying! I love each of you dearly, and I’m so glad you all are safe back home in America!
After what felt like ages, I left the building with my host family and Jenna and Jessica. Jenna and I were spending the night at the house where Jessica is staying. We had been planning on having a movie night and shopping this weekend. That was the last thing on our minds then. We spent the entire night informing family and friends as they began to wake up in America that we were safe and sound, and also kept reading and watching the news. There were six of us in the house and each of us had our laptops out, spitting out facts and statistics whenever we’d find something new online or sharing pictures we’d find of the damage. One of our team members here had taken video footage of some disturbing cracks in the ground where he was working. You could see the ground moving as the cracks increased and decreased in size. The ground looked like it was breathing! His video was picked up by CNN, so some of you may have seen it.
At 10:00ish, Jenna, Jessica, and I decided to try to go to bed. There were still frequent aftershocks, so we didn’t know if we’d be able to sleep or not. We were exhausted enough to try, though. As we were climbing into bed, we decided to read the Bible, pray, and just talk about some things that really impacted us that day. We all came to the agreement that it was the longest day of our lives. We started talking about some things that had happened earlier in the day prior to the earthquake, things that had bothered and irritated us. Those things seem so petty and insignificant to us now! We prayed for a long time after that. After shocks just kept coming, so I prayed, “Lord, could you please have these aftershocks stop soon? We’d really appreciate some sleep-“ and at that exact moment, a huge aftershock started, so I continued, “or, that works too!” We all started laughing so hard. (God really does have an interesting sense of humor!) I looked down at my watch at one point and saw that it was midnight. We all sighed in relief that the day was finally over. We fell asleep a little bit after that.
At 4:30 in the morning, I was awoken and told that we were all going to go downstairs to the living room. There was a loud announcement we could hear, but we didn’t understand it because it was in Japanese. We decided to be safe and stay on the first floor just in case. It was freezing. We all bundled up in blankets and waited. An hour later, nothing had happened except more aftershocks, so we all went back upstairs to sleep.
We slept until 8:15, then we got up and Skyped with our families. After that, I went to the grocery store to buy some things with the wife of the couple we were staying with. The lines at the store were ridiculously long. There was absolutely no bread or eggs on the shelves.
I’m now back at my host family’s house. For those of you worried about the close proximity of this house to the oil refinery, things are just fine here! Just a few things fallen off of shelves and a little bit of broken glass. Aftershocks just keep coming. I’ve lost count of how many have happened just as I’ve been writing this. I was woken up a couple of times last night by some pretty intense aftershocks. We were listening to the news today and they’ve said that the 8.9 earthquake was actually a 9.0! After going over the seismic waves, they realized it was more intense.
Today has been the warmest day we’ve had in a while. There are no clouds in the sky, but instead of a bright blue clear day, there’s this dark hue to the blue. The sky looks dirty. It’s a little scary. We’ve been warned that if it starts raining sometime and we get rained on, we need to wash ourselves off immediately because of toxins in the clouds. Please keep us in your prayers that we would all stay healthy and that we would not get affected by the toxins or radiation in the air. We’re far enough from the coast that we haven’t had any effects from the tsunami, thank God.
Thank you to those of you who have written to me to see if I’m all right, to those who have called my family for updates on my safety, and to all of you who have been praying! I love each of you dearly, and I’m so glad you all are safe back home in America!
*~*Melanie
PSALM 46
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come and see what the LORD has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Internationally Traveling Oompa Loompa
My goodness, it’s been quite some time since I’ve written anything here on this blog! My apologies! I just know this is going to be a rather lengthy post, as usual, so I may as well just get started! My last update was at the beginning of January, so I have two months of activity with which to catch you all up to date!
Our school had a mochi pounding event a while back. Rice was boiled then put into a large wooden basin where it was then smashed with a very large hammer. In the end it is smashed into a doughy consistency and is rolled into balls and then topped with various edible things. I can’t say I enjoyed it very much. It was far too sticky and difficult to chew! (Apparently a certain amount of people die each year due to choking on mochi. And when choking on mochi, I was told the only way to get it out of your throat is with some kind of vacuum. Hm, that sounds pleasant…) Overall it was a very cool cultural experience!
The church in Tokyo here wanted to start a youth group, so I went to Tokyo one weekend and helped in the decision making process of the group. We were all trying to come up with a name for the youth group, and eventually I came up with a name that everyone really liked: Band of Grace. (The church’s name is “Grace City Church Tokyo,” so they wanted “grace” in the title. And everyone in the group loves music. Tada!) I love witnessing youth groups come into existence! And it really made me excited that one was starting in Japan while I was there! That was super cool!
God answered a lot of prayers and sent a new intern to our team here to help at the school! Her name is Jessica, and it’s been so wonderful meeting her and fellowshipping with her. She and I really hit it off when we first met, and we’re growing closer and closer all the time! God also sent yet another teacher (not an intern) to help at the school! The Lord has definitely been providing!!!
A girls’ Bible study has finally come into existence after about 3 months of talking about it! Carol, Jessica, Jenna, one of the other teachers at the school – Megumi – and I are reading through the “Prodigal God” together. It’s a much needed time to grow together.
While Jessica has been here, she has wanted to go to as many of the churches planted by the team here as possible. I tagged along with her because I’d only actually been to 3 churches, and I wanted to see the other ones. It’s been really neat seeing how God is using each church here for His glory!
Back in January I went to kabuki, which is Japanese theater. It was definitely another cultural experience! It was all in Japanese and very, very odd, but I loved it! (I’m always a fan of weird stuff.) I think the only way to describe it is to say that it was like watching the members of the rock band “KISS” performing a play… with spears and a giant spider thrown into the mix.
At the end of January I flew to Taiwan for a week because of my visa situation. It was the week of Chinese New Year, so there were many festivities going on. I stayed with one of Carol’s close friends, who was very kind and hospitable to me! The MTW team there tried to recruit me, but I had absolutely no draw to go there as a missionary. We can just say that country isn’t exactly my cup of tea. I tried many different foods while I was there, one of which has me permanently scarred to the point where I would not be disappointed were I never to mention it to anyone ever again! (Just this subtlety is grossing me out!) I was very happy when I was on a plane back to the country I loved so dearly! I literally got teary eyed as the plane descended over Tokyo. “Lord, I love this country! May Your love be made known to all of its inhabitants!” I prayed these words aloud as I gazed excitedly out of the plane window.
Taiwanese dollars, Japanese yen, and US dollars.
My excitement to be back in the country was shattered when I was pulled aside at immigration and was questioned in a side room as to why I was coming back into the country for another 90 days. That definitely scared me out of my wits! But as I was sitting there, I was praying the whole time that God would give me wisdom in what to say. I wasn’t keeping track of how long I was held there, but it was probably half an hour or more. Then they let me pass through with another stamp in my passport! I was shaking as I ran for the escalator down to customs. So many emotions and I didn’t know which to express first. So I just shook. As I was lying in bed that night, heart still racing furiously, I wanted to pray so many things, but I could only pray this prayer over and over: “God, hug me, please! I need a hug, and You give the best hugs! Please hug me!” My heart rate began to steady itself, and I felt God’s comfort enveloping itself around me like my blanket, which I pulled tighter around me. Then this single thought raced through my brain: “God wants me in Japan, and He’s bigger than immigration!”
The day after I returned from Taiwan, I went to school in the morning and was waiting in the teachers’ office for the other teachers to show up. As I was in there, a bunch of the younger kids ran into the office just to hug me and welcome me back. God is awesome! He really does hear our prayers, and then tops it by giving us things we didn’t even ask for! He gave me physical hugs along with the feeling of His hug.
I’ve gone to two more college ministry events, and one jr. high/high school Valentine’s Day event, where I received the title of “Best Oompa Loompa.” Band of Grace had a fellowship time in Tokyo at karaoke. I’ve really enjoyed all of these events where I get to meet new people, especially when they’re closer in age to me.
Jessica and I at the college Valentine's party.
Friends at Crossway Valentine's party.
On Valentine’s Day I went to Harajuku, which is a fashion capital of the world. It was Jenna’s birthday, so Jessica and I were spending the day with her. We did lots and lots of window shopping, and occasionally bought a couple of things. It was a lot of fun!
My mom has been sending me sermons by Pastor Jack, my pastor back home, which has been so wonderful! For a little under an hour I feel as if I’m sitting in church back home with those I know and love dearly. (I love when the congregation laughs and I can pick out the different voices.)
One day at school I took my 7th grade algebra 1 class out for ice cream when they finished all there work. It was lots of fun, and everyone kept exclaiming that it was the "best math class EVER!!!" Haha! I really love working with these kids!
Last week I went on a ski trip with the middle school and high school classes from school. It was a lot of fun! I attempted skiing this time, and it was much less of a failure than my attempt at snowboarding! Yay! Although it wasn’t a complete failure, I did have an encounter with one of the slope patrol men. Apparently you aren’t supposed to walk down the slopes. Hm, who’d have thought? So, Mr. Patrol Man and I had a nice adventure back down the mountain on the ski lift. Hehe! Well, Mr. PM was very nice! He spoke to me in broken English, and I spoke to him in what Japanese I knew. It was such a fun trip overall!
I’ve been put in situations where I’m watching kids a lot since I’ve been here. It’s so awesome! There are all the school days where I’m surrounded by youngsters all day, and on top of that I’ve babysat, I’ve taught younger kids English outside of school, and I’ve watched over kids while their parents are in meetings and things of that sort. As I watch over these kids, I grow more and more attached to them. The kids at school always run up and crowd around me to hug me if I’ve missed school for any number of days, whether it is because I was in Taiwan, I was on a ski trip, or there were holidays where there was no school, they always act like it’s been forever since they’ve seen me. This makes it so hard for me to think about leaving.
It seems like we have a date nailed down for my departure. It’s been decided that I will probably come back the first week in May. Now that I have an actual date of departure instead of all this uncertainty, I feel like there’s a huge load off of my back. While there are very positive things about me coming back in May, I can’t help but grow sad at the idea of leaving. These kids definitely have me wrapped around their little fingers. A piece of my heart is definitely going to be here in this country for a long, long time!
Well, I think this is a good place to stop. I’ll leave you with these prayer requests:
1) Please pray for my emotional state of mind as I grow closer to leaving. It’s going to be so difficult to leave this country.
2) Please pray that there would be no complications with getting me a ticket home.
3) Please pray that new interns would come in May! It sounds like there is at least one girl who wants to come then, which would be wonderful to have someone replace me!
Thank you all again and again! I love you all and I’m definitely looking forward to coming home and seeing my America people!
-Melanie =)
*~*Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.” – Acts 10:34-35*~*
Our school had a mochi pounding event a while back. Rice was boiled then put into a large wooden basin where it was then smashed with a very large hammer. In the end it is smashed into a doughy consistency and is rolled into balls and then topped with various edible things. I can’t say I enjoyed it very much. It was far too sticky and difficult to chew! (Apparently a certain amount of people die each year due to choking on mochi. And when choking on mochi, I was told the only way to get it out of your throat is with some kind of vacuum. Hm, that sounds pleasant…) Overall it was a very cool cultural experience!
The church in Tokyo here wanted to start a youth group, so I went to Tokyo one weekend and helped in the decision making process of the group. We were all trying to come up with a name for the youth group, and eventually I came up with a name that everyone really liked: Band of Grace. (The church’s name is “Grace City Church Tokyo,” so they wanted “grace” in the title. And everyone in the group loves music. Tada!) I love witnessing youth groups come into existence! And it really made me excited that one was starting in Japan while I was there! That was super cool!
God answered a lot of prayers and sent a new intern to our team here to help at the school! Her name is Jessica, and it’s been so wonderful meeting her and fellowshipping with her. She and I really hit it off when we first met, and we’re growing closer and closer all the time! God also sent yet another teacher (not an intern) to help at the school! The Lord has definitely been providing!!!
A girls’ Bible study has finally come into existence after about 3 months of talking about it! Carol, Jessica, Jenna, one of the other teachers at the school – Megumi – and I are reading through the “Prodigal God” together. It’s a much needed time to grow together.
While Jessica has been here, she has wanted to go to as many of the churches planted by the team here as possible. I tagged along with her because I’d only actually been to 3 churches, and I wanted to see the other ones. It’s been really neat seeing how God is using each church here for His glory!
Back in January I went to kabuki, which is Japanese theater. It was definitely another cultural experience! It was all in Japanese and very, very odd, but I loved it! (I’m always a fan of weird stuff.) I think the only way to describe it is to say that it was like watching the members of the rock band “KISS” performing a play… with spears and a giant spider thrown into the mix.
At the end of January I flew to Taiwan for a week because of my visa situation. It was the week of Chinese New Year, so there were many festivities going on. I stayed with one of Carol’s close friends, who was very kind and hospitable to me! The MTW team there tried to recruit me, but I had absolutely no draw to go there as a missionary. We can just say that country isn’t exactly my cup of tea. I tried many different foods while I was there, one of which has me permanently scarred to the point where I would not be disappointed were I never to mention it to anyone ever again! (Just this subtlety is grossing me out!) I was very happy when I was on a plane back to the country I loved so dearly! I literally got teary eyed as the plane descended over Tokyo. “Lord, I love this country! May Your love be made known to all of its inhabitants!” I prayed these words aloud as I gazed excitedly out of the plane window.
My excitement to be back in the country was shattered when I was pulled aside at immigration and was questioned in a side room as to why I was coming back into the country for another 90 days. That definitely scared me out of my wits! But as I was sitting there, I was praying the whole time that God would give me wisdom in what to say. I wasn’t keeping track of how long I was held there, but it was probably half an hour or more. Then they let me pass through with another stamp in my passport! I was shaking as I ran for the escalator down to customs. So many emotions and I didn’t know which to express first. So I just shook. As I was lying in bed that night, heart still racing furiously, I wanted to pray so many things, but I could only pray this prayer over and over: “God, hug me, please! I need a hug, and You give the best hugs! Please hug me!” My heart rate began to steady itself, and I felt God’s comfort enveloping itself around me like my blanket, which I pulled tighter around me. Then this single thought raced through my brain: “God wants me in Japan, and He’s bigger than immigration!”
The day after I returned from Taiwan, I went to school in the morning and was waiting in the teachers’ office for the other teachers to show up. As I was in there, a bunch of the younger kids ran into the office just to hug me and welcome me back. God is awesome! He really does hear our prayers, and then tops it by giving us things we didn’t even ask for! He gave me physical hugs along with the feeling of His hug.
I’ve gone to two more college ministry events, and one jr. high/high school Valentine’s Day event, where I received the title of “Best Oompa Loompa.” Band of Grace had a fellowship time in Tokyo at karaoke. I’ve really enjoyed all of these events where I get to meet new people, especially when they’re closer in age to me.
On Valentine’s Day I went to Harajuku, which is a fashion capital of the world. It was Jenna’s birthday, so Jessica and I were spending the day with her. We did lots and lots of window shopping, and occasionally bought a couple of things. It was a lot of fun!
My mom has been sending me sermons by Pastor Jack, my pastor back home, which has been so wonderful! For a little under an hour I feel as if I’m sitting in church back home with those I know and love dearly. (I love when the congregation laughs and I can pick out the different voices.)
One day at school I took my 7th grade algebra 1 class out for ice cream when they finished all there work. It was lots of fun, and everyone kept exclaiming that it was the "best math class EVER!!!" Haha! I really love working with these kids!
Last week I went on a ski trip with the middle school and high school classes from school. It was a lot of fun! I attempted skiing this time, and it was much less of a failure than my attempt at snowboarding! Yay! Although it wasn’t a complete failure, I did have an encounter with one of the slope patrol men. Apparently you aren’t supposed to walk down the slopes. Hm, who’d have thought? So, Mr. Patrol Man and I had a nice adventure back down the mountain on the ski lift. Hehe! Well, Mr. PM was very nice! He spoke to me in broken English, and I spoke to him in what Japanese I knew. It was such a fun trip overall!
I’ve been put in situations where I’m watching kids a lot since I’ve been here. It’s so awesome! There are all the school days where I’m surrounded by youngsters all day, and on top of that I’ve babysat, I’ve taught younger kids English outside of school, and I’ve watched over kids while their parents are in meetings and things of that sort. As I watch over these kids, I grow more and more attached to them. The kids at school always run up and crowd around me to hug me if I’ve missed school for any number of days, whether it is because I was in Taiwan, I was on a ski trip, or there were holidays where there was no school, they always act like it’s been forever since they’ve seen me. This makes it so hard for me to think about leaving.
It seems like we have a date nailed down for my departure. It’s been decided that I will probably come back the first week in May. Now that I have an actual date of departure instead of all this uncertainty, I feel like there’s a huge load off of my back. While there are very positive things about me coming back in May, I can’t help but grow sad at the idea of leaving. These kids definitely have me wrapped around their little fingers. A piece of my heart is definitely going to be here in this country for a long, long time!
Well, I think this is a good place to stop. I’ll leave you with these prayer requests:
1) Please pray for my emotional state of mind as I grow closer to leaving. It’s going to be so difficult to leave this country.
2) Please pray that there would be no complications with getting me a ticket home.
3) Please pray that new interns would come in May! It sounds like there is at least one girl who wants to come then, which would be wonderful to have someone replace me!
Thank you all again and again! I love you all and I’m definitely looking forward to coming home and seeing my America people!
-Melanie =)
*~*Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.” – Acts 10:34-35*~*
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