Long times...

Ok, so when I said coming soon what I meant was coming in a month.  And in a little less than a month here is the update.  I have begun teaching and so far I'm liking it.  I teach at Takenotsuka Lutheran church 3 days a week: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.  On Thursday I teach at Ikegami.  Last month was also a difficult month for me because my fiance' Katrina left to go back to America.  It was and is difficult to react to this new experience.

So far teaching has been very enjoyable for me. for someone who left the education program because he didn't want to teach it's going surprisingly well.  I love my students and with very few exceptions I like being able to teach them new things.  I'm most excited about my adult classes though.

At Ikegami I have 2 adult classes and two Bible studies.  The later adult class has one student in particular who is very excited about the Bible and what it teaches.  Each week he comes with good questions and a desire to read and learn about God.  He impressed me so much with his desire to learn that I bought him a bible in Japanese so that he can study the whole work instead of only the new testament.

My Takenotsuka students have really been encouraging also.  Especially my Friday afternoon class.  While all of my students have asked questions and expressed interest in both the christian faith and my personal view of what Jesus means to me.  However, my Friday class has expressed this interest along with borrowing a book called the Manga Messiah.  This book is basically the first four books of the New Testament in comic book format.  This is a great way to reach Japanese people because comic books or manga is a big part of their culture.  

Anyways, over the past two weeks 5 out of 6 of my students have borrowed this book.  Last week we had a discussion in class all about what it means to be a Christian and the differences between Protestants and Catholics.  Now, many of you know how difficult these things are to explain in English.  Now, imagine trying to explain them in a language that it not your own.  It's very difficult work but I'm so glad to do it.  They're interested in the differences between religions and as such next week we will be talking about mormons and how they view Jesus.  I desperately ask for your prayers in regards to this class.  They seem to be drawn to Christ and I know it's only because of the work that Christ is doing through me.  

For now that's my update but I'll try to be more consistent with my posting once I get internet installed in my apartment.