We have been in Japan for nearly 2 months now. We may be a few pounds lighter but we are still alive. Although we haven't mastered the language yet, we are studying hard. We have japanese lessons every thursday with the coolest lady that is obviously very patient. We can order food and make simple sentences that usually don't make sense but they get us by. Usually they can understand but there are still many "deer in the head-lights" looks!
Classes are going really well. The students are starting to warm up to us and actually attempt to speak english. Some of the classes are more difficult than others usually based on how much they are willing to talk, and of course there are the few annoying loud mouths that you would rather have be quiet. But all in all we are enjoying teaching. Last friday we went on a 23km (14miles) hike with the entire student body around our volcano. Although, it was fun hanging out with our students, it was a difficult trek!! Our legs and backs were pretty sore by the end, but we made it!
We are starting our Bible study in June which will be held every other week and yes it will be in Japanese. 2 of our teacher friends will be translating which is awesome of them!! The Bible study will be with some of the teachers at our school along with other Christians in the community. We also have joined the Holy club which is a group of students that get together at lunch and talk about stuff. We haven't quite figured out what they do, but we don't think any of them are Christian so that will be really cool. We also joined the JRC (junior red cross) which does volunteer work around the community like trash pick up and visiting nurseries and nursing homes. We both have given our sermons to the school body of 1,000 people, and it wasn't as nerve-racking as we thought (it is much easier to speak when someone is translating for you!).
So i think that is enough about us for now--how about your life? Please email us with an update of your life. We want to keep up on the lives of our friends and family. We also have booked plane tickets to come home this Christmas so mark your calendars for Dec. 20 to Jan. 8 cause we want to see you all!
Love,
The Appelgates
1 comment:
It's great to hear that you'll be starting that Bible study again! I'm glad you found some translators. Have you talked to April about it? She and her husband used to come too.
"The Holy Club", that sounds interesting. I'll be praying for that as well.
It sounds like you guys have a lot of opportunities there. That's really great. I forgot to ask. How was English club on Saturday? How did they like Narnia?
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