It’s the last and final day for Joy English Club. To wrap things up, Takahashi-sensei taught today on the Resurrection. Interestingly enough, it’s also where I was reading in Luke 24 this morning.
We had about the same size group as usual, and the older kids were back, as expected. Your favorite wild child and mine, Yuki, wasn’t there though. But I did get four very talkative first grade girls. The only problem is, it was English time, and they only wanted to talk in Japanese about what they did yesterday, where they went, what they bought, who they saw, which moms they saw downstairs from the 3rd floor interior window, what game they were playing, giggle, giggle, giggle. It was incredibly cute! And to top it off, several moms came in during English time to watch or take a photo, much to Katami and Takako’s embarassment.
For group game time we unloaded two bags of colored balls into a room of kids then asked them to put certain colors into buckets spread throughout the room. Chaos, pure unadulterated chaos, but boy was it fun!
Then Takahashi-sensei reviewed the last few day’s Bible time stories and taught on the resurrection of Jesus. I love watching him teach kids! It’s so easy to follow and he’s incredibly energetic. From walking on water, to lifting net-loads of fish, to hanging on a cross, it’s a delight to watch and listen.
Then up to the 4th floor for crafts and American lunch. By American lunch, we mean Californian lunch, which equates to Tacos (not to be confused with tako, or octopus). We had more than enough food, and only us Americans ate tacos with sour cream, guacamole, and salsa! Since that meal was so unhealthy, every single one of us had to throw kids around. First there was a pile on Isaiah, then they ran over to me, then they wanted Mike to throw them around, then it was tickle Michelle, and then attack Carolyn.
Moms and kids alike had a ball at this week’s class. Several moms came up to Yoshie and requested to be a homestay family next year. They were touched to find out that we had raised our own support, taken time off work, and flown to Japan just to spend a week with the church to do the VBS. How much of that they think is cultural exchange, and how much is because of our relationship with our Creator through Jesus Christ, I don’t know. But, God knows their hearts and hopefully the truth takes root and comes into bloom soon!
Our afternoon was successfully wasted making plans for Saturday and then going down to Shinjuku. Mike absolutely had to go to the Square-Enix Company Store which we saw on the ride in. There were Dragon Quest slime plushies everywhere! And figurines and models galore. Personally, I’m not a big fan of Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest, but I might be convinced to branch out from Brave Fencer Musashi and Threads of Fate (Dewprism) and try something new when I get back. There was a Famicom and original cartridges for the Dragon Quest series back at another store in Tachikawa, that I may be convinced to buy since it’s at a very reasonable price. Needless to say, Mike is the proud owner of Dragon Quest IX which won’t see a release in the States for another year.
In honor of Carolyn’s last trip to Japan, we stopped in Koenji for dinner at her CCC team’s favorite resturant. The owner’s eldest daughter brought out a photo the team had taken with them, and we had to take one after we left, too. Chapan, miso, and peaches were perfect. I can’t believe how awesome and cheap it was!
We ran down a few side streets and did some more pikura before heading home, via the church in Tachikawa. I’m so tired! But tomorrow morning, we’re going to Odaiba to the Onsen museum and maybe to see the life size Gundam!
