Have I ever told you that I love kids? Especially these 2... Nico is so FUN... and although Alondra is somewhat of a prima donna, she's adorable when she wants to be. Tonight was one of those nights... even though I accidentally caused her to bump her head on the door, she was still pretty easy going about it! Here's some pics of my 2 favorite kids (other than Myles, of course!).
Here's my dear friend, 6'7" Nate. He's got a lot of talents, but last night we discovered a new one that made us all laugh. The Lord gave us funny bodily functions didn't He? Thanks for the laughs, Nate!
Ma-ko, you're a lot of fun! I enjoyed hearing about Hiroko-sensei and what you'd want to do if you were a guy!
昨日は沖尚のESLキャンプに参加しました。このキャンプは特に英語に興味ある中学生のためです。１０日間の間、アメリカからわざわざ沖縄に来た二人のESLの先生に講座を受けて、昼はアクティビティーをやって、夜はキャンプファイヤーを囲んでおしゃべりなどをしてる。残念ながら朝から昼までしか参加できなかったけど、授業の進み方や内容を参観して良かったと思う。普段、中学生と関わるチャンスがないので、とても良い機会だった。７人生徒しか入ってないけどみんなの名前を教えてもらって、そして少しゲームなどに参加させてもらってとても楽しい一日でした。授業のあと、数分間ファド先生とポール先生とフリスビー投げをして快晴をエンジョイしました。来年度はたぶん僕かファド先生が担当・引率となるので、昨日は研究して良かったです！ 
今週の金曜日で沖尚での勤務、一年目を終えることになります！本当に充実した一年間でした。とても良いコーワーカー(同僚員)に出会って、そして積極的で明るい生徒たちのために全力を尽くして本当に主に祝福された一年間でした。来年度もとても楽しみしてます！名城校長先生、来年度も頑張っていきたいと思いますので、宜しくお願い致します！
Yesterday a good sister left the island. Melissa Duran is one of the most talkative people I have ever met… but she was also a great confidante and prophetess. She is filled with the Holy Spirit and speaks words of truth and love. She’s so unafraid of saying pretty much anything, even if it might leave people feeling unsettled. It was cool getting to know you, Melissa! We may not be BFFs (sorry “dude” but it’s true – my BFF is the principal’s granddaughter) but I still enjoyed our chats! Be blessed in Last weekend was so blessed. We had services all weekend to celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Friday night, we showed The Passion of the Christ on a big screen down at Araha beach. It was so cool… well, the movie itself is incredibly disturbing, but in a sense that is also a good thing. Check out my journal for deeper thoughts on the movie. We had about 40 people come and watch, and of course we were all moved by what Jesus went through to forgive us of our sins. Then on Saturday night we had “Sambi Fest” (Worship Festival) which featured various worship groups and bands. Hakugaijin put in an appearance too, which was sweet. Then on Sunday, we had planned to have an afternoon beach day, but because of the rain we postponed it to April 6th. Anyways it was awesome to hear a resurrection message on Sunday morning, too. How was your Easter, everyone?
先週末はイースターでした。その週末にとてもいいスターの死と復活を祝いました。その良いスターはイエス・キリストだよ！金曜日の夜はアラハビーチでパッション－キリストの受難を観賞しました。観賞といっても、『観て楽しむ』じゃなくて、『観て感激する』ことになった。観たことある人はわかると思う。普通の映画ではない。終わったら立って、「楽しかった」などを言えない。あんまりにも悲劇的で衝撃的だよ。しかし、イエスの死ではこのストーリーは終わらない。３日後に復活されて勝利を得た。土曜日の夜に、同じくアラハビーチで主をほめたたえながら歌いました。その勝利を祝った。そして、日曜日はトロピカルビーチで弁当バッシュする予定だったけど天気都合が良くなくて中止になった。４月６日に行う予定です！どうぞ皆さん、そのために祈ってください！何人かがバプテスマ(洗礼式)を受ける予定です！ビーチパーティーが中止となっても朝の礼拝があって、復活のメッセージを聞いていて良かったです！皆さんのイースターはどうだった？私のヒーロー、良いスターに出会った？
Then the judo club did a little entertainment, and finally the Vietnamese students did a little dance.
Speeches ensued and then at last the presentations were set to begin. I only got to see one of my groups present, and they did a fine job! Then we took photos with each other, exchanged gifts and contact information, and the kids all went out for lunch and sightseeing together! I hope we will have more chances to do exchanges with Vietnam... and even other Asian countries, too!
土曜日はとても長～い一日だった。一人で東村まで運転して、ベトナム交流に参加しました。色んなゲームして、ロッククライムなどやったりして生徒たちはめっちゃ楽しんでた！バーベキューもあってフリスビーもやって超楽しかった！残念ながら僕は疲れたため、ノーテンションだった。フリスビー以外はほとんどのろのろしてた。でも。。。新しいフリスビー仲間を見つけた！１年３組の彰くんはすごい上手だった！またやりたいです！彰！オレのフリスビーはどこだ？？？
今日はプレゼンがあるので、写真撮ってまたブログ更新しま～す！
Yesterday was a monumental day at Okisho. A group of elite students from Vietnam came to our school as part of the Jenesys Exchange Program. They learned flower arrangement (生花), tea ceremony (茶道), and worked with our students on presentations about topics ranging from sports and music to environmental issues and Asia's role in the world. Last night there was a welcome reception, too, and the fun we had was beyond measure! Okisho students did traditional dances, performances, and even a funny little number at the night's end. The Vietnamese students did a great job of matching (surpassing?) our kids by doing dances, songs, and a karate demonstration. It was so COOL! Here are a few pictures - I can't write much more because I have to leave for Higashi-son to attend Day 2 of the exchange. Keep me in your prayers, please!
Well, Saturday night was so much fun that I decided to have another nabe party! This time it was a more American crew... Andrew, Nate, and Tim and Ayu. It worked out nicely because Andrew had a bit of a lean dinner, and Nate was on his way home from work. Well anyways, it was just as tasty as Saturday's version... Tim and Ayu even broke out the raw egg dipping bowl to make things interesting! The rest of us refrained but looked on in fascination as they showed us how to be Japanese. Also, last night featured the answer to one of the world's mysteries that has been plaguing humanity for ages: How tall would Nate be if he were cut off at the knees? Answer: He'd be exactly 1 Ayu tall!
土曜日はこの冬の最後の鍋パーティー。。。と思ったら、昨夜はまた開きました！今回は外人グループだった。。。あゆを除いたらね！でも、あゆも外人の名字あるから外人と認めようね（笑） また美味しい料理をキリストにある親友（家族）と食べて最高だった！たぶん１２月までには鍋パーティーしないかもしれないけど、先週末、２度やって良かったと思う！これから温かくなるけど、どうぞ皆さん、またトレバーん家に食べに来てね！
昨日は卒業式の日だった。沖尚の卒業式じゃなくて、前の職場の卒業式に参りました。すごくなつかしく思いながら、何か違うなぁと思った。なぜなら、体育館は真新しいものになりました！本当にきれいです！
先週の土曜日は才門とお昼食べた後、僕ん家でヨシュア、リョウタ、ジュンと鍋パーティーしました！最高だった。。。満腹になった！これからも土曜日を「友達の日」として定めたい！もちろん色んな行事もあると思うけど、やっぱ神様に与えられた友達と親しい、楽しい時間を過ごしたいなぁ！
Can it be? Yes! On Wednesday I was given the opportunity to join the worship team at church! Those who know me, know that I don't play guitar... but I have recently been seen playing the cajón after church, and I guess that prompted Andrew to ask me to join him up front for our mid-week service. Playing a full set and being counted on to keep rhythm is a lot different than just jammin' with friends! But anyways, God blessed the time, and hopefully He'll give me the ability and motivation and correct heart to continue to develop as a worshiper.
