So it's July. It's come so fast. Friday was our last day of regular classes before Summer break. We have a week of half-days coaching our students in their English speeches and then Hannah's parents arrive here in Japan on Friday night! We're so excited to see them and share our life here with them. We've got lots of plans, but we'll wait to see what we actually get to do. Let's just say, we're looking forward to a very exciting next couple of weeks.
One exciting piece of news is that in August we'll be starting a Gospel choir here in Funehiki as one of the evening Ekaiwa (conversation) classes. Mr. Maki is very excited about the opportunity. It's been advertised in the local cultural newsletter that there are 40 spots which we expect will all be filled.
The Japanese have a passion for the "spiritual" and "gospel" genres, and this is one more way for us to reach out to people in the community. We'll be able to have lots of fun with the music (a new style for most people here) as well as delve into the meanings behind many of these wonderful songs of faith.
Now, "gospel" in Japan is not the same as what we'd call "gospel" in Ohio. It's not southern gospel and it's not contemporary gospel, as such, but a sort of all-encompassing title for everything from negro spirituals to hymns to popular "gospel" style music (O Happy Day).
I'm looking forward to the opportunity to lead a chorus, and I know that the enthusiasm for the music is really what it's all about, so that takes a lot of the pressure off. We'll only be meeting once a month, so I don't think it's going to become a serious performing ensemble, but that would be difficult for most Japanese people (who are so busy already). This format seems like a great place to start. Please keep it in your prayers and thoughts.
More later!
Check out the new pictures in the WebAlbum linked on the right!
