The End Is Near...

My apologies to all for my lack of pictures and blogs. The end stretch is finally here, and one large trip away from being done. The final trip is to Ooshima, an island off the coast of Tokyo/Yokohama. This will be four days long, from Friday through Monday, and will include a number of 'pair talks' with the students. After this trip, all that is left is a day off, a day for cleaning, and departure. This is the last opportunity to connect with the students. Please pray for two friends of mine here, Hiro and Tomohito, whom I have gotten to know rather well since I have come to Japan.

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I had not blogged in awhile, so I decided it was about time to do so. Things here in Japan have been up and down, to be certain, but I shall spare you the details. We have had numerous events with the students here in BEST club, including a trip to Kyoto. Through these we have been able to learn more about each of the students, and which ones we connect with the most. Thus far, I seem to relate well with two, by the names of Tatsuya and Hiro. Both of these are great guys whom I look forward to spending more time with. Please pray that I will be able to connect with these guys and speak to them in such a way that interests them in the Bible (or something to that extent). I have no idea what they believe.

Yet another blog...

So much has been happening that it has been difficult to post another blog. I don't have time at the moment to upload pictures, but I'll be sure to do that eventually. I have had so many great experiences here already, such as karaoke and kakurenbo (hide and seek). The rest of the team gets here tomorrow, and I'm excited to have them join us. This next weekend, we're going to Kyoto, which I must say, I have been anticipating going to for a long time. I am still not fully funded, and I don't think anyone actually is except Ross. I currently have about $3,600. Hence, I have about $1,400 left to raise. If anyone reading this blog has given, and wishes to give more, please do so.

Thanks a bunch!

Flew in from America and boy are my arms tired...

So, I have been in Japan for a week now, so I figured it was about time to post a blog. Thus far, everything has been quite busy, so there has not been much time to post. Also, there are only two computers in the house, and neither are mine. Anyway, I have been greatly enjoying Japan. The food is so much better (and cheaper) than in America. Also, there are so many people around! However, I must say that I had expected Tokyo to be this busy. You can see from the photos which will (hopefully) be below how busy it is. I am living in a house with Ross, Chris, Masashi, Tai (Masashi's older brother), and Mitsuru. We don't see Mitsuru very much, but Masashi and Tai are normally around.

Yesterday was our first day at ELT (English lunch table). This was at Chuo University, which has the best cafeteria in Japan (at least 3 stories of cafeteria). Students came in during lunch, and we spoke English to them. There were so many students that there weren't enough seats...and we had four tables, with one or two Americans at each table.

Also, Ross, David, and I went with Masashi and Tomohito (whom we had just met) to an onsen (public bath) the other day. It's a very relaxing experience. Very different from America, but after overcoming primary anxieties, it turns out to be great. Evidently this is a great social event, and now I see why. Tomohito is a really fun guy. I'm going to try and spend some time with him in the days to come.

And now, that which you have actually read this blog to find is here: pictures! (maybe)

Tokyo Team! (from left: Aiko, Ross, Susan, Me, Ashley, David)

The house with Ross and David (aka Satoshi)

Shinjuku (Downtown Tokyo)

Prayer corps: pray that daily irritations do not defeat me by attrition.

Update on Funds 5/27

So after calling what seemed like an endless stream of people, more funds have been raised. I am now at $3000, which is 60% of the funds. This means that I am able to go to Japan for sure, but I will need to raise the rest of the funds at some point in time. I know that some people will not be able to give until I'm actually in Japan, which is fine. I have enough to get there, so the rest of the funds will hopefully come while I'm there.

Prayer squad: keep praying for the rest of the funds to come. Also, pray that I obtain some sense of humour so that I don't become so frustrated with myself when I can't adapt to the culture instantaneously.

Update on Funds 5/16

So, the funding is not going terribly well. I suspect that this is due in part to my lack of contact with those to whom I gave support letters. Today I have been calling people for this, but I really should have done this weeks ago. Alas, I have raised $1,600 thus far (Goal is $5,000), so I am only around 1/3 of the total amount. Thus, I must now raise twice the amount I have already raised in a quarter of the time. For those of you praying for me, please pray that God will raise the funds I need to go on this trip.

First blog

So, for all of you that have taken the time to check up on this blog, thank you. This post is here just so that you will know that you have found the correct site (assuming you have, of course). The title of this blog (at least for now) is "Nihon no Ryokou" (Japanese: 日本の旅行), which just means "Japan trip" (I think...I'm only in Japanese 201). I will probably not add another blog until June, so until then, thank you for at least checking the site.