July 30

So, I haven't written for the past few days, but I can sum up two of the three days in one sentence, so I really didn't want to do a separate blog on them.

July 28 - Took the bullet train back to EBS from Yokohama, followed by intense team time.
July 29 - Went to Umeda, got lost, and went back to EBS.

Today was a tad more interesting however, so I'll start with that now. We headed out to Sojiji church, to be involved in a kids program, and then have supper with the youth (youth in Japan means 20 years old). The kids program went surprisingly well, and when we played our games with them, they actually understood. They may not all have sung, but I saw many trying too, and that was a huge encouragement. One little boy caught two secadas (spelling unknown), which are MASSIVE bugs, that make the most annoying sound in the world. We smashed a watermelon, and did our drime, and then they headed out. We sat in the church playing Dutch Blitz with the people who were there, and had a blast. The supper with youth started at 5, so at 4:55pm we packed up Dutch Blitz and waited for the youth. 5:10pm rolled around, and we asked where the youth were. Turns out, it was actually the people we were just playing Dutch Blitz with. So we had supper, had fellowship, and enjoyed each others company. They took cream puffs and filled one with wasabi (a very spicy, horrid green mush) and then everyone picked one, and the loser had to eat the wasabi ball. I was, of course, the loser. I almost hurled, and did not feel good the rest of the night at all. So I've now made the decision to say no to things I do not want to eat, because I've almost thrown up eating the wasabi ball, and the squid sushi. Obviously, not my favourite things. I still think the squid is trying to crawl back up my throat!!

BUT, if you can't tell, I'm loving Japan, just not all the food. That's for your help in getting me there, I'm meeting many amazing people, finding myself in God, and learning what it means to be a missionary. God bless all of you!! Time for me to sleep!

July 27

Another successful day in Yokohama.

Today was like yesterday. We had a kids program, where we sang songs, made puppets, and had a bible story. The kids were just as insane as yesterday, and still bundles of fun. Again I sweated like I've never sweat before. Today there was a few new kids though, and it was nice that we managed to round up a few more.

Tomorrow we go back to our teams. I'm sad to leave this place. There were some amazing people here, and our hosts were just amazing. They did everything for us, we have no way to repay them. Well...if you know any single Christian guys looking for a Christian Japanese woman with a heart of gold, I happen to have an email for you =)

God has blessed me in this church. If I come back, I want to come here!!

July 26

Who knew kids could be so crazy? Oh...wait...I already knew that...

Today was day one of two for the kids program here in Yokohama. The kids were excited to be here, but it is so hard to communicate with them, because we both have no idea what the other is saying. So trying to explain games, and sing songs, is quite hard. We have a translator, but it takes away so much from the actual game and song, because it takes forever to just explain a word. But they all seemed to have a blast. We did a bible story with them, and while some kids were insane, others were just sitting there entranced. Whether by the story, or the tall white people in front, I'll never know. We made a couple crafts with the kids, where they finally calmed down. Then we played a couple more games, and said our good byes.

Or, we tried. Four boys stayed behind, and attacked Kyle and I to no end. It was a blast, but I was drenched in sweat like never before afterwards. We were playing dodgeball with them, throwing them around, and found out they are tough little kids. Like, you can drop them on their head and they'll just get up and keep going. I don't know if it's because they have been taught that pain is a weakness. It is such a different culture here, I'm just not quite sure what they are thinking all the time. But from my English eyes, they appeared to have a lot of fun, as they just kept attacking us. You think North American kids are light, come over here and pick these kids up. I can hold a ten year old upside down by their leg with one hand, and not even break a sweat. Now, doing twenty kids like that does indeed break a sweat.

All in all, it was a very good day. Why am I reporting so early? Well, there is nothing else today. We are having supper, and then I'm going to take a nice long nap. God bless you all!!

July 25

Yesterday presented me with the chance to participate in another Japanese church service. Even though the entire thing is in Japanese, I found a lot of similarities between the Japanese and my own church (mainly because we had an amazing translator behind us). The Christians here are unbelievable, and they are so strong in their faith. The church is their family, and their new home. Some of the church members are the only Christians in their family, and continue to stay strong in the face of adversity. I need to learn from them!
We sang songs for Sunday School, did a drime, and just listened in. Then we sat through the church, and played a couple songs, and Alyssa shared her testimony. After that was a lunch at church, where my team sat with the college students, and we had a blast getting to know them. Then there was a beautiful nap time that followed. Finally we ended with a BBQ, where we got to talk to many people about everything. The food was amazing (just ask Alyssa, I think she basically ate an entire cow), and the people were amazing.
Today we start the kids program. We are very excited, and a little nervous. Or, at least I am. It's been a long time here already, and I'm really starting to miss everyone at home. But God called me here, and I don't think he is even close to done with me. Pray for me, because I know my life will change drastically after this experience!
God bless you all!!!