柿大好き！

Hello Everyone! Welcome to week five of our Japanese adventure. That's right we have been gone for over a month already. Miss us yet? :P So here is what has been going on lately... we have gotten set into a nice routine and are adjusting well to the classes. I have to be honest that they are still pretty difficult especially the second Japanese language class and the Japanese culture class. We got our first care package from John and Colette (<3 Thank You!!). I must say we are loving the nuts and jerky from Trader Joe's. There is one thing that I have come to love in Japan and that is the kaki. [Note the title of this post 柿= Japanese persimmon　大好き=love] I am fairly certain that I had never had a persimmon in my life before coming here and wow are they delicious! They are a Japanese late summer/fall fruit and they are everywhere right now. speaking of fall, I am seriously longing for some pumpkin pie, apples and cinnamon. The reality that we are not going to be home for the cozy holiday season with all its tasty food and warm company is a bit saddening to say the least. However, we have found a very welcoming and warm group of people that we spend Sunday with: the awesome folks at ヨハンキリスト教会(Yohan Christian Church).

First a brief summary of the church's organization and set up...This church is part of a large network of small Christian churches throughout Japan. This particular branch is located in Gojo (an area in downtown Kyoto) and about a one hour commute from Kameoka. The building is a small 5 story apartment-like place each floor has one large sized room or two smaller ones. The first floor is the sanctuary room, the second is the dining/meeting area, the third is half kitchen and half male living area, the fourth is female living area and honestly I have never been to the fifth floor so I don't know whats up there but probably more living space. It is a bit hard to imagine so I'll see if I can take a video and upload it here sometime.
It is headed by a lovely female minister Noh-Sensei who is a native of Korea. The staff there is a mix of Japanese and Korean people so the church conducts a morning service in Japanese and an early afternoon one in Korean (both services hold the same content and are given by Noh-Sensei who is fluent in both). The average attendance is about 35-50 people each service (some people stay for both). After service they prepare a meal and feed everyone while catching up about the week and welcoming new visitors. Post meal Bible study time is next. Basically we break up into small groups and read a passage together and talk about the meaning God is speaking to our hearts. This part is especially difficult to do in Japanese when its a more complicated passage... After that, the Japanese staff helps prepare for the Korean service (cooking, setting up, ect. as the Korean staff did before and during the Japanese service). Many people spend all day there and a lot of the week too! It is an entirely different experience than the larger organized churches we are used to in America. They are a strong bunch dedicated to spreading the Word and conveying the love of God to a people who know little of him. Truly I am blessed to know them.

Ryan and I have taken to spending most of our day there too. We attend service at 10AM and after stay for food and study time (until about 1:30ish). Then we usually go out to the nearby shopping area and walk around. At about 3:30 (after the Korean service ends) we return to do an English conversation table for the Japanese and Koreans who know some English and wish to improve their language ability. We end up leaving at about 5pm or so each time. Its a long day but nothing is more fulfilling. This small church family has truly taken us in and made us feel loved. Just goes to show you that God's family is everywhere in the world and wherever you are you can be apart of it too.

So we power through the hardships of the week, classes and studying looking forward to spending our Sundays at church. Mallory Out. (^.^)v

Okay, so...

I apologize for my truancy here, but I've never really been the type of person to journal regularly-- it's just not a habit I've built up. Anyway, Japan so far has been a total blast. I just can't quite describe how blessed the two of us are to be here and be so well taken care of. We've made so many new friends lately, and it has been great getting to know them and spending time with them all. It's also been a blast exploring Japan (specifically the Kyoto area) and seeing what sights it has to offer.

As Fall rolls around though, I'm really beginning to miss home, its tastes and smells, and our families. I miss the fresh garden harvest, the sight of pumpkins, and apple cider. I miss chili and Mexican food too. But in any case, I'm hoping to make the most of Kyoto's Autumn season, which is supposed to be basically the most beautiful time of year here. Until I can come back though, I'm eagerly awaiting a supply drop of some of our favorite South African spice, maybe some pumpkin candles, and dried pepper flake from the garden.

In other news though, last night was a ton of fun. We got six of our friends together and had a party in our room where Mallory made us some Thai curry with rice and veggies, then we snacked a bit and watched Inception. Pretty much every group we've hung out with has had great chemistry due to personality overflow from a certain person who shall remain unnamed. Definitely looking forward to hosting more get-togethers here in our spacious apartment.

Until next time, take care everybody! For now there's some Japanese homework calling my name...