General Overview of a Week.

     Although every week is different, and there are certain events which only happen once or twice, this is a general overview of the things I am involved with every week.

     On Mondays Delia, Alyssa and myself all go to the ‘English Speaker’s Society’ (ESS) at Hokkudai University.  ESS is a club at the university for Japanese students who wish to practise speaking English.  We go, as English speakers, to support them and so that they might practise with us.  Being involved with ESS provides a lot of opportunities for meeting and getting to know students.

 ESS have been preparing for an English Competition;

they are performing Snow White. It's actually very

 good and funny, though I don't recall the original 

ending with a Pokemon battle... 

     On Tuesdays we all go to SACLA, which is also held at Hokkudai University.  SACLA stands for ‘Studying All Cultures and Languages Association’.  Unfortunately SACLA and ESS do not get along with each other, so it is very unwise to mention that you attend both!  A number of international students also attend SACLA, so it provides an opportunity to reach non-Japanese students.  On Tuesdays I also meet with a girl individually.

     Once a month there is an FM Zero party on a Tuesday night.  FM Zero is the name for OMF’s work with students and young people in the Sapporo area.  This once a month party provides something that we can invite the contacts we’ve made to.  The usual format is to base it around a country (usually one of the countries which someone serving with OMF is from) and have a fun night finding out about that country’s culture through games, quizzes and food.  Towards the end of the night there is also an opportunity to speak about God, either through a short message or Testimony.  

     This month’s party will be happening tomorrow (Tuesday 29^th May) , so we have been busy preparing for that.  The theme is Romania, which has actually proved quite convenient for me!  I have been asked to use my knowledge of Romanian to provide team names....so team ‘Wardrobe’ and ‘Spirit-level’ it is then...  Bianca, a deaf girl from Germany, who was born in Romania will be sharing her testimony, so please pray for her.

     We hold a Bible Study in Basic English for anyone who is interested on a Wednesday.  It has been really encouraging, even in the two weeks I have been here, to see 4 new people start coming (three of whom were from ESS or SACLA, the other is the girl I have been meeting individually).  For most of the people attending, however, it is largely just another way to learn English and find out more about Western culture (which has been heavily influenced by the Bible).  However I do pray that studying God’s word, even for these reasons, will plant a seed in their hearts which might cause them to become interested in finding out more about God.

 Currently we are studying Daniel chapter 2 

(King Nebuchadnezar's dream of a terrifying statue).

     Thursdays are the day when all the OMF missionaries in the area meet up to worship God and pray for each other.  It’s been great on these days to hear how God is working throughout the Hokkaido area.  I’ve also been asked if I can help with childcare on some of these days, though I haven’t been requested to do so yet.

     Friday is my main English teaching day.  There is a group of young people which Karin has been teaching, and which I so far have been helping out with.  However Karin says that she would like me to take over this group. 

After class these three decided to give me a guided 

tour of a nearby botanical park.

Afterwards I have been helping Alyssa out with her English class at the University.

    We should have Saturdays off, however so far we have been having ‘Open House’.  As the others have just moved into this house they have been inviting everyone round to visit.  Consequently I have introduced everyone to the great Northern Irish delicacy which is the Fifteen. 

 Dear Japan, meet the Fifteen.

 So far they have been successful (the Open House that is, not the Fifteens, though they have also gone down well) and we have had a good number of people come.

    On Sunday we have Church.  I have been attached to Sapporo International Church (SIC).  As suggested by the name, this Church is attended by people from a large number of nationalities.  Consequently there are at least 4 services on a Sunday; Japanese, Japanese with simultaneous English translation, Japanese with simultaneous Korean translation and Chinese.  Once a month there is an English service (with Japanese translation I believe).  Translation for the service is provided by the way of a small radio, which you can listen to with earphones.  After the service the congregation stays behind for lunch. Different groups provide the meal each week. On my first Sunday it was Delia's group, so I helped out too.

 Preparing and serving the meal at SIC.

After lunch there is an English Speakers Fellowship, which is a Bible study with people from various different English speaking countries.

    After ESF Delia (who also attends SIC) and myself make our way across the city to have Japanese lessons.  These free lessons are provided by five young adults who want to teach Japanese, so they are practising with us.   

 Delia and her teacher.

Currently there are only three students, considering my level of Japanese is so low, this means I get two teachers all to myself!  All in all Sunday is quite a busy day!

     Well, this has been just a brief introduction to things.  I hope to be able to provide more information about each event and ministry as I become more acquainted with them, and more involved with mission here in Japan.