School's back

Greetings from Kobe,

The Japanese School year starts in April, so after almost two weeks without regular classes we are getting back to the flow of things. We've rearranged a few classes and have gained several students, so things seem a bit busier than before the break. Pastor Taniguchi is letting me take lead and teach a few other these classes (using a curriculum and adapting it to the situation, especially since the curriculum is aimed more towards full sized classes rather than only a few students at a time). It is pushing my skills a bit but it is a good growing experience. Please pray that I continue to improve in my teaching skills and that the students learn effectively.

Also, having been here just over two months, I've been noticing a few physical changes. I've lost some weight, I'm down a few kilograms (several pounds), my belt is down to it's smallest notch, and the Mother's class, which hadn't meet in almost a month, noticed my face was looking much thinner since the last class. Granted, It helped that I had the flu and lost some weight then and now I am cooking a bit more rather than eating just instant noodles, so we'll see if this weight loss continues or if I maintain this current weight. (personally, I wouldn't mind losing a bit of weight) Please pray that I continue to be healthy, losing weight at a healthy and safe rate.

I am learning Japanese slowly. I was at the Pre-school this past week, looking around the classroom waiting for our next class, when I saw some letters posted in the front of the classroom. I figured out what the letters were, sounded it out, and understood what the word was. I am also learning a few kanji (Chinese characters used in Japanese writing) which is making grocery shopping a bit easier. I still need to build up a vocabulary, but hopefully soon be able to practice conversations sometime soon. Please pray that I continue to learn and become effective in Japanese.

As for future plans, I am working with Pastor Taniguchi and the missionary Charles about what we are going to do over the summer. I am also working with Pastor Taniguchi about long term plans, nothing has been set in stone yet but we could use the pray for our planning.

I still have the fund raising stuff up and will keep it up for the time being until I am sure what the long term plans are going to be. I may keep it up to cover other items long term, for example a new computer (the netbook I am writing this on is rather under powered for anything beyond word processing), but it depends what type of income I would have if a long term option opens up in Japan.

Thank you for your prayers and support,

Carl