Team Taiwan Recruiting Season!

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Some Summary, Some Video!

As I consider what the most important lessons of this day could mean for you and what I really want to share, its great to know that God is love and that people care.

Having said that, I want you to know I often consider what is relevant and what I can or should post. I think about what all this means - much more than I probably should. Although I feel like I can be a person of action, sometimes I feel "on the fence". This applies to my blogging as much as it does my: work, relationships, and various other areas of my life! It is my prayer that I begin to "just do it" and get out there with whatever happens to be the results - trusting that God will lead the way.

There are quite a number of celebrations and reasons to give thanks which have taken place over the last two months. There has been a lot of activity in the lives of my students, my coworkers, and espcially my friends and family. Praises for health miracles, birthdays, and celebrations. Concerns for new adventures and undertakings in life. For all of the things I missed the opportunity to share, I hope to eventually take care of doing some quality writing and make it worth your while.

There are anectodatal things which I found extremely interesting, and just enjoyed them for what they meant in my upbringing and life as it relates to understanding culture and diversity - reading about Marian Anderson and knowing such a God-fearing woman was able to break through many barriers. I considered sharing that for February (Black History Month, and then doubling-up or rather two-for-one, because February turned into March, Women's History Month) Ah well, here's a video and I suggest further reading and sharing about this woman's fantastic impact on culture...not only in America, but throughout the world.



Moving through March, there was National Lutheran Schools Week. And although we are across the Pacific, I do have hopes of one day there being an equal amount of celebration and connection regarding this school's heritage and connection with the Lutheran church. With the theme being, "Securing Each Child's Future - Making Disciples" - John 8:31b-32, I pray for the many celebrations, festivities which took place in various Lutheran Schools.



Speaking of the school, we have been helping contribute to the school by adding to the ministry as well as to promote the school by going out to elementary schools. We sing songs, do skits, and participate in special events. Usually once or twice a semester, we are asked to do something for the chapel. To help promote the school, we do a skit and one of the school officials does a presentation. We pray Concordia Middle School can continue to maintain it's high level of academic standards as well as reach out to those students most deserving of this education. We also pray for the current students, staff and faculty. Pray that God may be ever present in their life and that their relationship with Him grows (for many - it needs to start!). Here is a video from our participation in the 30 Hour famine that is hosted throughout Taiwan by World Vision. It came here to CMS during Holy Week and we tried to raise some money by doing a dance while also trying to send a message!



Blessings to you and Hope to talk with you soon!
James

Youth Camp Fun! Saved By Grace!

Over the days of Sunday, February 27, and into the Monday holiday of 2-28, we spent a fantastic amount of time in prayer and fellowship while focusing on being "Saved by Grace". The Bible verse that was used to illustrate the gift of grace was Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus."

The overnight, almost-24-hour, youth camp was an effort by both the Taiwanese and the Americans to provide a time for the young and old alike to sing songs, play games, and to understand more about their Lutheran heritage.

We pray thanksgiving for the many people involved in this as well as the hope for a renewal of evangelical efforts by the churches involved. Also, we pray for those who attended, that their questions and concerns about their relationship with God be answered.

Here are a few pics:

The official camp t-shirt with the theme, Saved By Grace:















My group, we had a good time together. Thank You!

Rainy Days, Crunchy Water Chestnut Drink and A-Team (Chinese Version)

A couple pictures and a video of some things I have "happened upon" in the last few days. Enjoy!

It's been raining for the last couple of days....actually quite a downpour in the morning yesterday. Caused a backup on the streets and shut many things down for a while. But as for me, I put on my crocs (plastic slipper-shoes) and my shorts, and skipped, jumped, jogged, and splashed my way to the Center.

Then, after a day of work, I had the chance to watch some T.V. One of the other volunteers and I were flipping through some channels and came across this, I might even go and see the A-Team movie this summer:

And, almost as much fun as the random T-shirts with slogans and misspellings, I found this can of drink: Nothing like a "COOL, Crunchy Water Chestnut Drink" to quench your thirst on those hot afternoons!

Memorial Days: May 31 and June 4th, 1989

Freedom. Enjoying life. Pursuit of Happiness.
Remembering the Past.
Hoping for an Even Better Future.

This child is loved by God, he has freedoms which are intended to be his by Creator and may at some point be cut short by people, systems, or simply the lack of being taught: God loves you.

There are numerous "left-overs" from the wars, conflicts, uprisings, coups and other actions which have been taken to defend the cause of freedom within groups and nations. This is a war cannon, located at the Guia Fortress Lighthouse (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guia_Fortress)that is from the time when the Portugese were defending themselves against possible "invaders".This past week has given us a variety of days for which we can give thanks and reflect the special, unique and yet very common realities the Chinese and the Americans are experiencing at this time.

May 31st, June 1st, and June 4th, 2010:

A week to remember; A foundation for the future.

May 31st, 2010, was the last Monday of May, which has been set aside as the formal day of Memorial Day in the U.S.A.. Then you have June 1st, which is largely considered to be International Children's Day. Some people recognize these days for their deeper meaning, and others seem them as a day for "holiday" or "school celebrations and special treats" or, as is the case with Memorial Day, it is the 3-4 day weekend which marks the "beginning of summer". Regardless of how you feel or what you think about the history and current celebration of these days - there is no denying that there is something special about these days and celebrations.

Now, on to June 4th, 1989. I vaguely recall this summer and this day back in 1989. As an elementary school kid, my main focus was the summer. I recall news shows and newspapers covering this incident called "Tiananmen Square" and student protests. Today, June 4th, 2010, 21 years later, those protests and actions of the State of China are the topic of many conversations. The desire is for all of the truth to be shared and it is my prayer that there will continue to be constructive and truthful discussion taking place because of the many newspaper and blog headlines across the globe.

Now, more than ever, I realize the importance of the sacrifice which God went through to give me freedom. He did the same thing for you and for all people.

"For God so Loved the World that He Gave His Only Begotten Son, (Jesus Christ), that whoseover believes in Him (Jesus) shall not die but have Everlasting Life." - John 3:16

Freedom was, and is now, the reason why protestors and soldiers in every field have ever fought. This is regardless of their leadership or philosophy of their tactics. Even those who were mislead, they started their journey with the mindset of this action being the means to secure a "free" future.

As far as this commentator understands, (and I will readily concede my ignorance on details of most matters) it is my opinion that the reason why countries, nations, and individuals have launched any kind of protests or outright attacks on another person or nation is because at some point there was the feeling of themselves being under attack, controlled, and ultimately, not being allowed to be free.

I find it interesting that the reason why America was first founded was because a group of people didn't want to be controlled by a State; a State which tried to enforce a specific religion onto the people. Then, fast forward to today, the State of China (and other countries) goes to great length to keep faith in the control of the State so as to not allow the influence of "outsiders" to corrupt it's people or so-called heritage. I think there's a connection in there somewhere.

The connnections - similarities and differences - over the years have not been as clear as they are today.

When God wants to teach, sometimes he is very direct, clear, and to the point. Always, He allows us, his children, to have choice in our life. It is our choices and the choices of others, which ultimately effect us. It was choice that caused people to follow Jesus, it was choice for those who wanted Jesus killed. His choice to allow that to happen, gives me the freedom and gratitude which I now enjoy as a Saved child of God.

May we all choose peace and love as the way for which to celebrate and to resolve.

- James

Akememashte Omedetou Gozaimus!

Which means: HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

A Winter Wonderland! And a light on in the home.



My camera has a way of making these moutains seem a bit smaller than they were in real life. (Maybe you should come and see for yourself!; and there are more pictures on my picasa page)



In this land of varying contrasts, the weather is certainly one area which gets attention. Sunny southern island(s)including Okinawa and Iwo Jima; freezing tundra of Hokkaido; and here I am in the "middle" - right on the coast, close to the mountains. Ahhh, creation. What a beautiful testimony to our Creator. Fortunately, I returned "home" to the colder temperatures, somewhat snowy and frigid Niigata after a few great days around the Tokyo area (actually, about an hour train ride outside of the capital city). Here in Niigata it is city and urban, but I was taken out to the "countryside" and into area that is basically the foothills leading into the ranges which run down the center of the island. I will certainly suggest you go to my Picasa Pics if you would like to see more!

The Winter Wonderland from which I welcomed the New Year with a church family who let me visit for a few days. Praise be to God for our Brothers and Sisters who openly share their homes, lives, and FOOD!


Oh Yea! Reindeer!


Santa was happy to know they have some "young ones" in training!

A CHRISTmas Message from James

To my family and friends, if I recently met you or have known you for a while, Merry CHRISTmas. May you know God's love this day and always.

Shogyou Commercial High School Festival!

As I mention in the following (previous) blog entry, the school festival was a chance to put homcoming and a church bazaar – into one! The students did an exceptional job of using their creativity. Most of them made their decorations out of recycled plastic and paper. What great stewardship!

My time there was one of shock-and-awe, complete hysterics, and just-plain enjoyment! I was shocked at the number of costumes which were pretty “out-there” and also pretty “childish”. What I have found is that having gaudy, “sexy” and very provocative is accepted just as readily as a 17-year-old dressing up as “Pokemon”!






My laughter couldn’t be contained as I encountered a couple soldiers who had ENTIRE gear, down to the mask-goggles. We did an impromptu skit. Check it out.



They made me give a classmate her money for the ice-cream I took!

Also, there was an emphasis on "cultural" activities like: Traditional Tea Ceremony







and Caligraphy







In closing, I can definitely say that I enjoyed myself with these students and this event. This is a main reason I truly love the education community and the opportunities it gives students to build relationships with each other, connecting to the past as well as making some new stories for the future. Take a look at these pictures to see more. If you have questions, feel free to email me and I can give you details.

Great job, Shogyou Students (and teachers!) – James Sensei

Kamo Kindergaten's Krazy Kids and KoKuTai

During the week I take about an hour train ride to go to one of our Lutheran Kindergartens in the small town of Kamo. There I teach two different classes, 3 year olds and then 4-5 year olds. The time at this school has been a joy so far and the kids are always pretty excited to see: Teacher James/James Sensei. During the last week of September and first week of October, there was a very special National Sports Festival which takes place ever year. Each year the festival is in a new prefecture (consider them counties for states, or states/provinces for a nation). This year, Niigata was the host prefecture. Many people from all over Japan came here for competitions. AND....in the little town of Kamo - there was Boxing!

The Official Poster of the Koku Tai - National Sports Festival

The Official Poster - for the Handicap/Special Olympic equivalent of the Koku Tai-National Sports Festival

Kamo's Contribution to the Koku Tai: Boxing!

As part of the community, the Kindergarten was able to perfom a dance that went along with the theme song for the games. This song was sung and played at various locations and times as an encouragement for the athletes and spectators. The kids went at it for about 4 minutes, but I thought a shortened version would be best for the internet. If you want to see more - just let me know!