Tom: The Last Day!

Sorry, we been too busy or tired with Prayer Walks, VBS and sightseeing to blog. Some much has happen. The kids have been awesome. (I'm starting to sound like Heather) One of the missionary apologized for some older girls having bad attitudes and didn't want to be there. Compare to American kids it was nothing. They just weren't as enthusiastic as some of the younger kids. In fact they came everyday and invited a friend on the last day.

Mame and Haruna are happy now

I wish I had a whole school of these kids to teach. The parents are so appreciative of every little thing you do and helpful too. Many of the moms have been helping out as well as observing our program. They have been correcting Richard's Japanese which has been somewhat suspect. They gave him feed back by him the correct Japanese word or phrase or by laughing at what he says.
We had our final VBS yesterday. We had a great time but a sad time too. This may be the last time we may see them this year. (I may be back next year, God willing) Instead pre-VBS game, Chieko ask me to show my student generated slideshow of my school. She thought the kids would be interested in seeing what American elementary schools are like. They seem interested. At least they were quiet and under control.
The singing time has been one of the kids favorite part of VBS. They especially enjoyed "Choose Jesus" and "Ride of your Life." Our youngest boy, Aoto has been trying to imitate Matt's 360 jump in the video. He puts so much effort into the jump that he almost falls down. (All the women team members have a crush on him because he's so cute and enthusiastic about everything.)

Aoto and Lisa: They complete each other. Aoto's wild and Lisa' shy.

At Bible story review time the younger group have has been so loud when they repeat the Bible verse. Not only are they loud but in perfect unison. (I thinks that's what they learn at school.)
After the craft Heather had the young kids sit in a circle to played a English speaking game. You throw the ball to someone and they have to say, "My name is____________. I am ___ years old." I was blown away that all the kids could say it correctly even the youngest and quietist ones. It was a little embarrassing when they threw the ball to me, being the oldest of the team members.
This last day was a special day because it was the first day we had recreation outside at the park. We started with an Olympic style relay and then did a water balloon toss. Finally at the end I told the kids they could throw the water balloons at their favorite teacher. The teachers scattered and the kids went wild. Everyone got wet.

Sharon getting nailed!

This day was also our Barbeque. About a dozen mother brought all sort of food like Barazushi (sp?), musubis, yakisoba, watermelon and so much more. One mom brought a couple of bags of fresh vegetables from their garden. What a treat! I had okra for the first time. Jon and Chieko barbequed chicken, beef and hotdogs. Everything was so good! It was a great celebration and a sad one. One girl asked if she can still come next year even though next year she will be in middle school. Taichi and his sister, Miwa made personalized cards for each of the team. Kids didn't want to leave. They played and ran around outside and to the park. Some didn't leave until evening. Aoto and Yume's mom french braided Vincy and all the Nakamura girls hair and were the last to leave. We are all going to miss these people.
Children with their Manga Bibles