Ever since I was a child, I have loved to travel even if it was only to visit relatives in a neighboring city. My favorite part is all the different modes of transportation we use to get around. In countries like the U.S. and Japan I think that our perception of space and distance can be distorted by the ease by which we travel. We start to think of ourselves as being transported to a different place rather than physically going from one place to another. On our journey to Bangladesh we were forced to actively participate in getting ourselves from one place to another whether by running to catch our bus or bargaining with a rickshaw driver. In this way, we used all of our senses to experience another lifestyle and way of ‘being’.
Active Participation: From the moment we stepped off the airplane we could see, smell, hear, taste, and feel that this was a place drastically different than the ones we’d come from. Our participation in this journey continued on into all of our daily activities like eating using our hands, taking cold bucket baths, washing our clothing by hand, or cooking a meal using fresh ingredients. These activities reminded me the importance of making time to take care of myself. In Japan or the U.S. there are machines that do all of these things for me and free my mind to do ‘more important things’. But these ‘more important things’ are what distract me from seeing what is going on around me and who is there.
Language: Communication was often a stumbling block when most of our group spoke only Japanese and most of the people in Bangladesh only speak Bengali and the language of their village. Some of the young people we met at L’Arche did not speak at all. I learned from Naomi when I stayed at Pushpo Nir that young Bengali women are not different than Japanese women in that they are shy and often speak amongst themselves. Japanese and Bengali share a common unspoken dialect even with all the differences in culture and language. The same is true for the core members of L’Arche. They are human just like us in that they need to eat and bathe and be loved even when they are trapped inside their own minds unable to communicate.
Hospitality: While we were in Bangladesh we could not go anywhere without help and almost everyone was willing to help us (even if they didn’t know the way). Our 10 days in Mymensingh would have been infinitely harder if we had not had the guidance and hospitality of the Taize brothers and the‘Taize boys’ or Naomi and Ayako. They were constantly checking on our health and well-being. I will always remember the way that Ayako described life in Japan as being very stressful because a person could go from their homes to Narita airport all by themselves without talking to anyone or asking for help. I know that this was difficult for some of the members of our group because we are used to doing things for ourselves but perhaps this is because we are not yet acclimated to this form of extravagant hospitality. We learn if we can trust those around us that perhaps we can make a new friend along the way.
I was touched by the stories of everyone we met in Bangladesh. And I was inspired by how all the various projects have come out of the work that the Taize brothers began about 20 years ago. I’m sure we were only able to see a small bit of it but I’m excited to see what will happen in the future.
As my life continues on after Bangladesh one story always stands out in my mind from our conversation with Brother Joseph. He compared life to riding a bicycle in Bangladeshi traffic. If you hesitate or look back for even a moment you could be crushed between two buses or hit by the rickshaw behind you.
After returning from Bangladesh, my life has definitely felt like a long-distance bicycle race in Bangladeshi traffic. It is comforting to imagine travelling through life this way when I remember all the different modes of transportation we used to navigate these hazardous roads; both actively participating in our journey and accepting the guidance and wisdom of our hosts.
What an amazing journey both physically and spiritually. Thank you to everyone who was there to experience it with me, both seen and unseen.
Showing posts with label SHARE. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SHARE. Show all posts
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Monday, December 7, 2009
December Sycamore Tree
Recently, I walked down to a dam near my house. I was told that there was salmon swimming upstream trying to cross the dam. So, me and a couple of my neighbors got together and woke up early before work to walk to the river. We must have sat there for over 30 minutes watching the fish as they writhed and jumped out of the water. Some of the salmon fell in their attempts but they continued to struggle against the current.
Later that week, I went back to the river by myself. There was a large group of young men in rubber suits and another older man explaining how on both sides of the river there were more gradual gradations that were constructed so that the fish could go around water that was falling quickly down the dam. I walked a little bit farther down to where the JR and shinkansen tracks cross the river and found there were fish in this part of the river as well, swimming up to where other fish were trying to cross the dam. Eventually, I began to get hungry and, inspired by images of fish in their own daily efforts to survive, I decided to go home and eat something vegetarian for breakfast.
I’ve seen similar images on television of salmon being stalked and eaten by grizzly bears in the rivers of Alaska but this was the first time I had ever seen this kind of event in nature so close to where I live. I started to think about all of the other miraculous things that are probably happening around us if we only get up early in the morning and go looking for them.
Later that week, I went back to the river by myself. There was a large group of young men in rubber suits and another older man explaining how on both sides of the river there were more gradual gradations that were constructed so that the fish could go around water that was falling quickly down the dam. I walked a little bit farther down to where the JR and shinkansen tracks cross the river and found there were fish in this part of the river as well, swimming up to where other fish were trying to cross the dam. Eventually, I began to get hungry and, inspired by images of fish in their own daily efforts to survive, I decided to go home and eat something vegetarian for breakfast.
I’ve seen similar images on television of salmon being stalked and eaten by grizzly bears in the rivers of Alaska but this was the first time I had ever seen this kind of event in nature so close to where I live. I started to think about all of the other miraculous things that are probably happening around us if we only get up early in the morning and go looking for them.
Friday, October 9, 2009
October SHARE
For the second year in a row, this September I returned to California to visit my family and to participate in the annual bazaar at Sycamore church. One of the reasons this trip is so important to me, perhaps more than Christmas or New Year’s, is that this is an event that gathers not just my family but many other families that are a part of the Sycamore community. Friends from college, middle school, and even elementary school have come to know that they can always find me working at the bazaar every 3rd Sunday in September.
It was interesting to see so many people, most of whom I hadn’t seen since the past year and to see how much all the young children have grown-up or changed. And it was also sad to remember the people who were such a vital part of the bazaar every year but have either passed away or become to ill to continue. Every year, the older members of the church start to grumble that they were getting a little too old to continue and couldn’t they just give a larger donation to the church than coming out to help.
This year was my 12th bazaar and there is one year that I remember when I was about 16 years old. It was so foggy in the morning that the people who came at 5am to cook rice and grill chicken could barely see in front of them. It looked as if it was going to rain. It cleared up a little by 11am but that year was one of the worst years ever. Afterwards, we had so much food leftover we had to give it away to 3 different homeless shelters. But that year was also the year that we made the most new improvements. One of our church members designed new tents that could be put together without hammers or screws out of steal pipes and we replaced the old wooden tables with new plastic ones that are lighter and easier to set up. People realized how important the bazaar is to the community and they made extra donations to help with these improvements.
The older people are still getting older but they are the ones who have made it possible for us younger members to continue in this event that has been happening for almost 60 years. This year they were very grateful to have 3 young people from Sendai come out to help and we always welcome anyone else who’d like to participate in our annual tradition.
It was interesting to see so many people, most of whom I hadn’t seen since the past year and to see how much all the young children have grown-up or changed. And it was also sad to remember the people who were such a vital part of the bazaar every year but have either passed away or become to ill to continue. Every year, the older members of the church start to grumble that they were getting a little too old to continue and couldn’t they just give a larger donation to the church than coming out to help.
This year was my 12th bazaar and there is one year that I remember when I was about 16 years old. It was so foggy in the morning that the people who came at 5am to cook rice and grill chicken could barely see in front of them. It looked as if it was going to rain. It cleared up a little by 11am but that year was one of the worst years ever. Afterwards, we had so much food leftover we had to give it away to 3 different homeless shelters. But that year was also the year that we made the most new improvements. One of our church members designed new tents that could be put together without hammers or screws out of steal pipes and we replaced the old wooden tables with new plastic ones that are lighter and easier to set up. People realized how important the bazaar is to the community and they made extra donations to help with these improvements.
The older people are still getting older but they are the ones who have made it possible for us younger members to continue in this event that has been happening for almost 60 years. This year they were very grateful to have 3 young people from Sendai come out to help and we always welcome anyone else who’d like to participate in our annual tradition.
Oct SHARE article
Sycamore Bazaar
サンフランシスコ空港に到着し、入国のために審査を受ける。アメリカに何度も行っているハさんは楽々通過。さすが！
ピくんは英語で色々と聞かれているようで、少し困っていた。英語という名の最初の関門を突破し、無事アメリカに入国！
「お～、アメリカだ～！」と言って、アメリカっぽい雰囲気を体いっぱいに感じるのかと
思ったら、それほど異国に来たのだという感じは強くなかった。私は2年前のインドスタディツアーに参加し、インドの強烈な異国感を体感した。アメリカはインドと比べて、日本とのギャップが小さいこともその要因かもしれない。
今回のアメリカの旅のメインイベントは、シカモア教会のバザーに参加すること。シカモア教会は、1904年にアメリカへ来た、日本人3人によって始まった。
シカモア教会のバザーは規模が大きく、1年の行事の中で最も大きいものだ。今回のバザーも1,500人の方がシカモア教会へ足を運んだ。
私たちはこのバザーの準備からお手伝いをしたのだが、意外にやることが多かった。大きなテントを建てたり、ステージを組み立てたりと力仕事も多く、なかなか良い労働だった。印象に残っていることは、栗まんじゅうを作ったこと。栗まんじゅうなんて、日本でも作ったことがないのに、初めて作るのがアメリカとはおもしろいなぁ。
確かにやることは多かったが、その分だけ深くバザーに関われて良かったと思う。どうせやるなら、思いっきりやった方が楽しいもの！
私たちと同じ力仕事を、私から見るとおじいちゃんのような年齢の方がせっせとしていた。日本の教会でも同じようなのだが、シカモア教会も特に平日は若い人は仕事でおらず、高齢の方が教会の仕事を多くしている。アメリカも日本も同じなのだなと感じた。
バザーは大成功に終わり、お手伝いをした私たちも、心地良い達成感をたっぷりと感じることが出来た。
シカモア教会とセンターの繋がりがより強くなったので、今後もセンターからエネルギーのたくさんある若者が、バザーに参加するのもおもしろいと思う。きっとシカモア教会の人々も歓迎してくれるだろう。繋がりは本当に大事だなぁ。
今回の旅は、全てのプランを立ててくれたサンディを初め、毎回車を出して頂いたサンディのお父さん、受け入れて頂いたホストフォミリー、シカモア教会の皆さまなど、本当に多くの方の助けによって成り立つことが出来た。本当にありがとうございました。
I want to join Sycamore Bazaar again someday. I’ll be back!
K
Sycamore Bazaar
As we were passing through customs upon entry into the U.S., Ha-san passed through
without any problems like a veteran traveler. M-kun has a few problems understanding questions asked in English. So, we overcame our first hurdle and entered America safely!
I kept thinking, "Ah! I'm in America!" and that my body felt like it was in America. But, slowly I started to feel less strange. Two years ago, I participated in the India study tour. In India, you feel a strong sense that you are in an exotic place. But when you compare the U.S. with India, maybe the differences between Japan and the U.S. are not as great.
The main purpose of this trip was to participate in the Sycamore Church Bazaar. Sycamore Church was created in 1904 by 3 students from Japan. The Sycamore Bazaar is the biggest event of the year. This year there were over 1,500 people in attendance.
In this year's bazaar we helped with many difference parts of the preparation, including many things that surprised me. We worked pretty hard helping to pitch large tents and assembling the stage. One thing that was interesting to me was the we make Kuri-Manju (Translator's Note: Kuri-Manju are Japanese cakes that are baked and filled with a chestnut paste.). I have never made Kuri-Manju in Japan so this was a very interesting experience. We did a lot of different work but I think that this helped us to experience the bazaar more deeply. If you get to try everything then it is so much fun!
We did a lot of heavy lifting with members of the church. But, even though they are older than us they worked much faster., As in Japan, younger people often work on weekdays so the main work of the church is done by the older men. I felt that this was one similarity between Japan and the U.S.
The bazaar was very successful and because we helped we also felt a good sense of accomplishment. Now that ths ties between Sycamore Church and the Student/Youth Center have become stronger I think it would be interesting for other energetic young people to participate in the bazaar. I think the members of Sycamore Church will certainly welcome their help. This relationship is very important.
This trip was possible because of S, S's father, the hospitality of our host families, and the members of Sycamore Church, and so many more. We are very grateful for their help. Thank you so much!
I want to join Sycamore Bazaar again someday. I'll be back!
K
サンフランシスコ空港に到着し、入国のために審査を受ける。アメリカに何度も行っているハさんは楽々通過。さすが！
ピくんは英語で色々と聞かれているようで、少し困っていた。英語という名の最初の関門を突破し、無事アメリカに入国！
「お～、アメリカだ～！」と言って、アメリカっぽい雰囲気を体いっぱいに感じるのかと
思ったら、それほど異国に来たのだという感じは強くなかった。私は2年前のインドスタディツアーに参加し、インドの強烈な異国感を体感した。アメリカはインドと比べて、日本とのギャップが小さいこともその要因かもしれない。
今回のアメリカの旅のメインイベントは、シカモア教会のバザーに参加すること。シカモア教会は、1904年にアメリカへ来た、日本人3人によって始まった。
シカモア教会のバザーは規模が大きく、1年の行事の中で最も大きいものだ。今回のバザーも1,500人の方がシカモア教会へ足を運んだ。
私たちはこのバザーの準備からお手伝いをしたのだが、意外にやることが多かった。大きなテントを建てたり、ステージを組み立てたりと力仕事も多く、なかなか良い労働だった。印象に残っていることは、栗まんじゅうを作ったこと。栗まんじゅうなんて、日本でも作ったことがないのに、初めて作るのがアメリカとはおもしろいなぁ。
確かにやることは多かったが、その分だけ深くバザーに関われて良かったと思う。どうせやるなら、思いっきりやった方が楽しいもの！
私たちと同じ力仕事を、私から見るとおじいちゃんのような年齢の方がせっせとしていた。日本の教会でも同じようなのだが、シカモア教会も特に平日は若い人は仕事でおらず、高齢の方が教会の仕事を多くしている。アメリカも日本も同じなのだなと感じた。
バザーは大成功に終わり、お手伝いをした私たちも、心地良い達成感をたっぷりと感じることが出来た。
シカモア教会とセンターの繋がりがより強くなったので、今後もセンターからエネルギーのたくさんある若者が、バザーに参加するのもおもしろいと思う。きっとシカモア教会の人々も歓迎してくれるだろう。繋がりは本当に大事だなぁ。
今回の旅は、全てのプランを立ててくれたサンディを初め、毎回車を出して頂いたサンディのお父さん、受け入れて頂いたホストフォミリー、シカモア教会の皆さまなど、本当に多くの方の助けによって成り立つことが出来た。本当にありがとうございました。
I want to join Sycamore Bazaar again someday. I’ll be back!
K
Sycamore Bazaar
As we were passing through customs upon entry into the U.S., Ha-san passed through
without any problems like a veteran traveler. M-kun has a few problems understanding questions asked in English. So, we overcame our first hurdle and entered America safely!
I kept thinking, "Ah! I'm in America!" and that my body felt like it was in America. But, slowly I started to feel less strange. Two years ago, I participated in the India study tour. In India, you feel a strong sense that you are in an exotic place. But when you compare the U.S. with India, maybe the differences between Japan and the U.S. are not as great.
The main purpose of this trip was to participate in the Sycamore Church Bazaar. Sycamore Church was created in 1904 by 3 students from Japan. The Sycamore Bazaar is the biggest event of the year. This year there were over 1,500 people in attendance.
In this year's bazaar we helped with many difference parts of the preparation, including many things that surprised me. We worked pretty hard helping to pitch large tents and assembling the stage. One thing that was interesting to me was the we make Kuri-Manju (Translator's Note: Kuri-Manju are Japanese cakes that are baked and filled with a chestnut paste.). I have never made Kuri-Manju in Japan so this was a very interesting experience. We did a lot of different work but I think that this helped us to experience the bazaar more deeply. If you get to try everything then it is so much fun!
We did a lot of heavy lifting with members of the church. But, even though they are older than us they worked much faster., As in Japan, younger people often work on weekdays so the main work of the church is done by the older men. I felt that this was one similarity between Japan and the U.S.
The bazaar was very successful and because we helped we also felt a good sense of accomplishment. Now that ths ties between Sycamore Church and the Student/Youth Center have become stronger I think it would be interesting for other energetic young people to participate in the bazaar. I think the members of Sycamore Church will certainly welcome their help. This relationship is very important.
This trip was possible because of S, S's father, the hospitality of our host families, and the members of Sycamore Church, and so many more. We are very grateful for their help. Thank you so much!
I want to join Sycamore Bazaar again someday. I'll be back!
K
Friday, September 4, 2009
September SHARE
Thinking About Food
A quick glance at the label one of the many processed foods found in any convenience store in Japan or the U.S. would reveal a list of a dozen or so ingredients. Some of these are recognizable like butter or sugar and some are less so. Sometimes it’s hard to draw the connections between these ingredients and something we might like to eat.
At last spring’s work camp to the Asian Rural Institute, a man named Johnny from Malaysia lead a workshop on palm oil production and its uses. We looked the ingredient labels for popular foods like Country Ma’am or convenience store cream pastries and looked for common ingredients. From the workshop we learned that in 2005, palm oil became the most commonly found ingredient in processed foods in Japan. Palm oil is also processed into sweeteners like sorbitol (in Japanese ソルビトール) which is found in yet more foods because it is cheaper and it helps keep the foods tasting fresh longer than using regular sugar. According to Johnny, one of the dangers for palm oil farmers is wild fire. Palm oil trees grow very quickly and they have high oil contents and therefore catch fire very easily.
For the past year and a half I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to participate in these volunteer work camps alongside students from the center. Every time I am shocked to learn something new from people so central to producing the foods we eat. While their hard work makes our lives cheaper and more convenient, theirs become more difficult. Talking about these issues is one of the many experiences I look forward to every summer. The solutions to these problems are not always clear and well defined but it’s the process of finding them together that will make the biggest impact.
- (SKLT)
Monday, July 6, 2009
July SHARE
Slow Life
As summer vacation is approaching I've talked to many students at the center about their summer plans. Some people are going to study for exams or complete internships to help them with their job searching. Still others are planning trips with their friends to go abroad or visit other parts of Japan. It's exciting to hear about all the different things that people will do with their free time.
Personally, I will be participating in the center's volunteer work camps to Okunakayama in Iwate Prefecture and the Asian Rural Institute in Tochigi Prefecture. I am looking forward to both because of all of the different people we meet in each place and for the slow time that these camps allow center staff and students to spend together outside of our busy work and study schedules. A unfortunate result of urban living is that our lives don't leave time to talk about things that are bothering us, our dreams for the future, or silly thoughts that we have that are forgotten because there are other more important things to talk about.
Most students plan to return to their hometowns for part of summer vacation to spend time with their families. Our hometowns are one of the few places where our lives slow down and we can become magically transformed into children again. Our families and childhood friends don't see us in our current reality of work and school and so we are perhaps more free to enjoy these comfortable conversations. Although sometimes our visits home can seem boring, it's important to remember that these are the moments which allow us to refresh ourselves before going back to our busy lives. I will also be returning home in September for a few weeks for a vacation. I've always thought it would be nice to plan a trip home with some of the friends I've made here in Japan over the past year and a half, my family in California would very much like to meet the people I spend all my time with in Sendai.
(SKLT)
As summer vacation is approaching I've talked to many students at the center about their summer plans. Some people are going to study for exams or complete internships to help them with their job searching. Still others are planning trips with their friends to go abroad or visit other parts of Japan. It's exciting to hear about all the different things that people will do with their free time.
Personally, I will be participating in the center's volunteer work camps to Okunakayama in Iwate Prefecture and the Asian Rural Institute in Tochigi Prefecture. I am looking forward to both because of all of the different people we meet in each place and for the slow time that these camps allow center staff and students to spend together outside of our busy work and study schedules. A unfortunate result of urban living is that our lives don't leave time to talk about things that are bothering us, our dreams for the future, or silly thoughts that we have that are forgotten because there are other more important things to talk about.
Most students plan to return to their hometowns for part of summer vacation to spend time with their families. Our hometowns are one of the few places where our lives slow down and we can become magically transformed into children again. Our families and childhood friends don't see us in our current reality of work and school and so we are perhaps more free to enjoy these comfortable conversations. Although sometimes our visits home can seem boring, it's important to remember that these are the moments which allow us to refresh ourselves before going back to our busy lives. I will also be returning home in September for a few weeks for a vacation. I've always thought it would be nice to plan a trip home with some of the friends I've made here in Japan over the past year and a half, my family in California would very much like to meet the people I spend all my time with in Sendai.
(SKLT)
Friday, May 8, 2009
May SHARE
Safe Place to Express Yourself
While we were visiting the Bethel House during this spring’s Hokkaido study tour, we met people who had psychological challenges like schizophrenia, addiction, and some who were recovering from agoraphobia. We also met social workers, doctors, and staff who worked alongside them managing the various Bethel projects like konbu sales and creating books and DVDs to teach others about Bethel. Because everyone works together in the same space there is a very friendly atmosphere and members are encouraged to express themselves freely. One of the social workers, Etsuko Mukaiyachi, helped us to understand how the ‘Bethel Way’ differs from contemporary medicine in that they try to avoid medication but to help members cure themselves through learning how to express their feelings and emotions in healthy ways.
I was reminded about a period in my life right after I graduated from college. I didn’t have much success finding work and it seemed like everyone else around me seemed happier and more successful than me. At the time, I lived with a friend who had graduated from university the same year as me. We had lived together for almost 3 years and could talk about all the stresses of each day. I also had one teacher in school that I respected very much and always made time for me when I came to his office. Because I had this support network of friends who helped me verbalize the anxieties I had about my future I was able to realize that there was nothing wrong with me and that I had talents too. When I did finally receive my first job offer, the thing that made me the most happy was telling those same friends.
Something that was unique about Bethel is that members and staff work together as equals and it was often difficult to tell who was recovering from mental illness. We all have anxieties and a low degree of mental illness in away. But, maybe we can also learn to help ourselves by seeking out a community we can trust to talk about and express all the joys and difficulties in our lives. Through simply expressing them aloud to others, we learn to appreciate both our talents and faults and grow from them.
- SKLT
北海道の「べてるの家」を訪れたとき、精神障がいを負う人たちがスタッフと一緒になって働いている姿に驚いた。スタッフの向谷地悦子さんによると、べてるではクスリで病気を治すというよりは、当事者自身がいろんな人に自分を表現できる方法を通して病気とつき合う道を求めているとのことだった。
自分が大学を卒業したばかりの頃を思い出す。就職活動が上手く行かず、他の人たちの方が自分より幸せに見えた時期があった。あのころ一緒に生活していたルームメイトとは日常的なストレスとか何でも話し合える仲だった。また尊敬していた先生も、いつでも私のために時間を取ってくれた。このような人たちのネットワークの中にあったから、私は自分の将来に対する不安などを表現できたし、自分はおかしくない、自分にはいろんな可能性があることに気付くことができた。やっと仕事が決まった時、私は喜んで真っ先にこの人たちに嬉しい知らせを伝えたのだった。
べてるの大きな特徴の一つは当事者とスタッフが対等な者として隣り合わせで働いていることだった。誰が当事者であるか分からないほどだった。私たちにだって不安はあるし、精神「病」も少しはあるのではないかと思う。自助努力として私たちができることと言えば、自分を表現できるコミュニティーを探すこと。信頼して自分の悩みや喜びを伝えることのできる場所を見つけることだと思う。単純に言葉でもって自分の内面を他の人に表現することで、自分の良いところも悪いところも見えて来るし、それと付き合って行く力が与えられて行くのだと思う。
サンディー（SKLT）
While we were visiting the Bethel House during this spring’s Hokkaido study tour, we met people who had psychological challenges like schizophrenia, addiction, and some who were recovering from agoraphobia. We also met social workers, doctors, and staff who worked alongside them managing the various Bethel projects like konbu sales and creating books and DVDs to teach others about Bethel. Because everyone works together in the same space there is a very friendly atmosphere and members are encouraged to express themselves freely. One of the social workers, Etsuko Mukaiyachi, helped us to understand how the ‘Bethel Way’ differs from contemporary medicine in that they try to avoid medication but to help members cure themselves through learning how to express their feelings and emotions in healthy ways.
I was reminded about a period in my life right after I graduated from college. I didn’t have much success finding work and it seemed like everyone else around me seemed happier and more successful than me. At the time, I lived with a friend who had graduated from university the same year as me. We had lived together for almost 3 years and could talk about all the stresses of each day. I also had one teacher in school that I respected very much and always made time for me when I came to his office. Because I had this support network of friends who helped me verbalize the anxieties I had about my future I was able to realize that there was nothing wrong with me and that I had talents too. When I did finally receive my first job offer, the thing that made me the most happy was telling those same friends.
Something that was unique about Bethel is that members and staff work together as equals and it was often difficult to tell who was recovering from mental illness. We all have anxieties and a low degree of mental illness in away. But, maybe we can also learn to help ourselves by seeking out a community we can trust to talk about and express all the joys and difficulties in our lives. Through simply expressing them aloud to others, we learn to appreciate both our talents and faults and grow from them.
- SKLT
北海道の「べてるの家」を訪れたとき、精神障がいを負う人たちがスタッフと一緒になって働いている姿に驚いた。スタッフの向谷地悦子さんによると、べてるではクスリで病気を治すというよりは、当事者自身がいろんな人に自分を表現できる方法を通して病気とつき合う道を求めているとのことだった。
自分が大学を卒業したばかりの頃を思い出す。就職活動が上手く行かず、他の人たちの方が自分より幸せに見えた時期があった。あのころ一緒に生活していたルームメイトとは日常的なストレスとか何でも話し合える仲だった。また尊敬していた先生も、いつでも私のために時間を取ってくれた。このような人たちのネットワークの中にあったから、私は自分の将来に対する不安などを表現できたし、自分はおかしくない、自分にはいろんな可能性があることに気付くことができた。やっと仕事が決まった時、私は喜んで真っ先にこの人たちに嬉しい知らせを伝えたのだった。
べてるの大きな特徴の一つは当事者とスタッフが対等な者として隣り合わせで働いていることだった。誰が当事者であるか分からないほどだった。私たちにだって不安はあるし、精神「病」も少しはあるのではないかと思う。自助努力として私たちができることと言えば、自分を表現できるコミュニティーを探すこと。信頼して自分の悩みや喜びを伝えることのできる場所を見つけることだと思う。単純に言葉でもって自分の内面を他の人に表現することで、自分の良いところも悪いところも見えて来るし、それと付き合って行く力が与えられて行くのだと思う。
サンディー（SKLT）
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Hokkaido Study Tour
(I've been writing an entire newsletter in English every month since October so here's a little snippet from the April edition since I haven't gotten around to blogging about the Hokkaido Study Tour yet.)
Hokkaido Study Tour Presentation
When: May 15 (Fri), 19:00~
Where: Sendai Student Youth Center
This spring we had a fantastic study tour to Hokkaido from March 9-20th. This year’s study tour participants included center student council member, Mai, previous center student council member, Koriyama, and Hashimoto. Sendai Student/Youth Center director, Jeffrey, and staff, Sandy, also participated.
For the first part of the trip we spent 5 nights at Moto-Urakawa Church and participated in activities at the Bethel House community and support center for people living with psychological challenges, such as depression or schizophrenia. This was a very eye-opening experience for all of us as we interacted with Bethel members during their group meetings and helped to package konbu (kelp) sold in the Bethel store to support their activities.
Secondly, we went to Nayoro and stayed at the Douhoku Centre, a support center and meeting place for rural farmers in northern Hokkaido founded by a missionary from the United Church of Canada. The Douhoku Centre has activities similar to our center’s activities in Sendai but for bringing together rural farmers to talk about common issues as well as educate the community about food security and the importance of consuming foods that are grown locally. We had a good discussion with Douhoku Centre director, Robert Witmer, and staff, Kuriko Fujiyoshi, about ways to continue the work of centers like ours in contemporary Japan.
Mr. Miura, director of the Ainu Information Center in Rumoi, took us on a one day tour of Asahikawa to help us learn more about the history of the Ainu peoples as well as other indigenous groups in Japan. In that day we visited the Kawamura Ainu History Museum and the traditional graves of Ainu leaders. Finally, we visited 2 Sendai Student/Youth Center OB/OG living in Sapporo. This year’s study tour presentation will be on Friday May 15th at 7pm, dinner will be provided for 200 yen.
Read more here.
Hokkaido Study Tour Presentation
When: May 15 (Fri), 19:00~
Where: Sendai Student Youth Center
This spring we had a fantastic study tour to Hokkaido from March 9-20th. This year’s study tour participants included center student council member, Mai, previous center student council member, Koriyama, and Hashimoto. Sendai Student/Youth Center director, Jeffrey, and staff, Sandy, also participated.
For the first part of the trip we spent 5 nights at Moto-Urakawa Church and participated in activities at the Bethel House community and support center for people living with psychological challenges, such as depression or schizophrenia. This was a very eye-opening experience for all of us as we interacted with Bethel members during their group meetings and helped to package konbu (kelp) sold in the Bethel store to support their activities.
Secondly, we went to Nayoro and stayed at the Douhoku Centre, a support center and meeting place for rural farmers in northern Hokkaido founded by a missionary from the United Church of Canada. The Douhoku Centre has activities similar to our center’s activities in Sendai but for bringing together rural farmers to talk about common issues as well as educate the community about food security and the importance of consuming foods that are grown locally. We had a good discussion with Douhoku Centre director, Robert Witmer, and staff, Kuriko Fujiyoshi, about ways to continue the work of centers like ours in contemporary Japan.
Mr. Miura, director of the Ainu Information Center in Rumoi, took us on a one day tour of Asahikawa to help us learn more about the history of the Ainu peoples as well as other indigenous groups in Japan. In that day we visited the Kawamura Ainu History Museum and the traditional graves of Ainu leaders. Finally, we visited 2 Sendai Student/Youth Center OB/OG living in Sapporo. This year’s study tour presentation will be on Friday May 15th at 7pm, dinner will be provided for 200 yen.
Read more here.
April SHARE
What the Center Means to Us
The last week of classes at the student center ended on a very positive note. At the end of each day we gathered all of the classes for tea and a workshop about what the student center means to us. The concept was to practice communication skills by really taking the time to listen to our fellow center members. The workshop participants included students, teachers, and even a few people who just stopped by for the day. Each of these people is an important piece in the bigger center picture and I think these workshops really helped us all to feel a greater appreciation for everyone that contributes to it.
The Student/Youth Center is a very unique place that doesn’t have very many analogs elsewhere. When explaining to people from the U.S. I’ve sometimes compared the student center to the YMCA or YWCA in the way that we teach various classes in the evenings which are open to the community. I’ve also heard students describe the center as a college circle where there are students from all different colleges participating in activities together. The center also has resources from different college, universities, church groups and NPOs, so it is a bit like a resource center where people from all these different groups can get information about events and activities in Sendai. But, this still isn’t the whole picture.
In March, we discussed this topic more at the student council retreat and tried to think about how to explain what the center is. It’s still a little difficult but slowly we’re taking what we learned from other center members in the communications skills workshops and imagining a new way to see our activities and make them more accessible to people outside this community. We hope this will be an ongoing conversation as the new school year begins.
-SKLT
The last week of classes at the student center ended on a very positive note. At the end of each day we gathered all of the classes for tea and a workshop about what the student center means to us. The concept was to practice communication skills by really taking the time to listen to our fellow center members. The workshop participants included students, teachers, and even a few people who just stopped by for the day. Each of these people is an important piece in the bigger center picture and I think these workshops really helped us all to feel a greater appreciation for everyone that contributes to it.
The Student/Youth Center is a very unique place that doesn’t have very many analogs elsewhere. When explaining to people from the U.S. I’ve sometimes compared the student center to the YMCA or YWCA in the way that we teach various classes in the evenings which are open to the community. I’ve also heard students describe the center as a college circle where there are students from all different colleges participating in activities together. The center also has resources from different college, universities, church groups and NPOs, so it is a bit like a resource center where people from all these different groups can get information about events and activities in Sendai. But, this still isn’t the whole picture.
In March, we discussed this topic more at the student council retreat and tried to think about how to explain what the center is. It’s still a little difficult but slowly we’re taking what we learned from other center members in the communications skills workshops and imagining a new way to see our activities and make them more accessible to people outside this community. We hope this will be an ongoing conversation as the new school year begins.
-SKLT
Saturday, January 31, 2009
January SHARE
Last weekend, I attended a women’s missionary retreat in Shizuoka Prefecture. The conference was started in 1957 as a Christian-themed gathering of the wives of missionaries living in Japan. Now, it’s grown to include any woman living in Japan who would like to attend. I enjoyed meeting other woman living in Japan and hearing all their stories about how they came to live here.
The speaker at this year’s retreat was Megan McKenna, a woman who’s taught at various universities around the world and specializes in story telling and traditional folk stories. One of the stories she told was a Chinese folktale in which a young girl is granted the gift of a magic brush. Anything she draws with this brush will become real. The girl is poor, living on the street with barely enough food to eat. However, she uses this power to help others who are suffering around her. One day, a very rich and powerful governor discovers her and orders her to draw him riches. At first, she refuses but eventually finds a way to trick and humble him using her magic brush. When we were asked to discuss this story amongst ourselves the general response was to think about all the things we would love to do if we had a magic brush of our own.
In the U.S., our newly sworn in President Obama called a national day of service on the federal holiday for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. First Lady, Michelle Obama, spent the day handing out care packages to U.S. soldiers. President Obama and Vice-President Biden also joined in these activities with their families. This call-to-service came at a time when the economy is in poor condition and many families in the U.S. have lost their homes. President Obama reminded Americans that even though we may be going through difficulties ourselves, we always have something valuable to contribute to others through our time and compassion for the difficulties of others. In this sense, volunteerism is not about giving away or serving others but finding a common struggle to fight together.
- SKLT
今月、伊豆で開かれた女性のためのレトリートに参加しました。基調講演をしてくれたメガン・マケナさんは語り部でした。話してくれたお話しの一つに中国のおとぎ話がありました。一人の少女が魔法の筆をもらい、その筆で書いた物が現実のものとなるのです。少女は大変貧しく、路上で生活しながら食べるにやっとの生活を送っています。しかし、彼女は自分の周りで困っている人のためにその筆を使うのです。ある日、大金持ちの政治家が少女のことを知り、自分のために財宝を沢山書かせます。最初、少女は政治家の要求を断りますが、最後は機転を利かして政治家のもくろみを防ぎ、不正を思い知らせます。レトリートに参加をした私たちはその後、もし魔法の筆をもらったら何を書くかについてそれぞれに話し合いました。
今年、アメリカに新しい大統領が誕生しました。オバマ氏はキング牧師の誕生日（1/19）を「奉仕の日」と制定し、ボランティア活動を呼びかけました。ミッシェル大統領夫人は海外で働く米兵たちを支えるケアー・パッケージ（援助物資）を詰めたり、オバマ大統領もバイデン副大統領も家族そろってボランティア活動に参加しました。アメリカは深刻な不況の中にあり多くの人が家を失っています。この「奉仕の日」への呼びかけを通してオバマ氏は国民に呼びかけてました。自分たち自身が大変な状況にあったとしても、人のために時間やエネルギーを使うことには大きな意味があります。このように、ボランティアイズムは人に物を配ったり、自分の時間を捧げたりすることばかりではなく、困っている人同士が共通の課題を見つけて共闘することにあるのです。
The speaker at this year’s retreat was Megan McKenna, a woman who’s taught at various universities around the world and specializes in story telling and traditional folk stories. One of the stories she told was a Chinese folktale in which a young girl is granted the gift of a magic brush. Anything she draws with this brush will become real. The girl is poor, living on the street with barely enough food to eat. However, she uses this power to help others who are suffering around her. One day, a very rich and powerful governor discovers her and orders her to draw him riches. At first, she refuses but eventually finds a way to trick and humble him using her magic brush. When we were asked to discuss this story amongst ourselves the general response was to think about all the things we would love to do if we had a magic brush of our own.
In the U.S., our newly sworn in President Obama called a national day of service on the federal holiday for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. First Lady, Michelle Obama, spent the day handing out care packages to U.S. soldiers. President Obama and Vice-President Biden also joined in these activities with their families. This call-to-service came at a time when the economy is in poor condition and many families in the U.S. have lost their homes. President Obama reminded Americans that even though we may be going through difficulties ourselves, we always have something valuable to contribute to others through our time and compassion for the difficulties of others. In this sense, volunteerism is not about giving away or serving others but finding a common struggle to fight together.
- SKLT
今月、伊豆で開かれた女性のためのレトリートに参加しました。基調講演をしてくれたメガン・マケナさんは語り部でした。話してくれたお話しの一つに中国のおとぎ話がありました。一人の少女が魔法の筆をもらい、その筆で書いた物が現実のものとなるのです。少女は大変貧しく、路上で生活しながら食べるにやっとの生活を送っています。しかし、彼女は自分の周りで困っている人のためにその筆を使うのです。ある日、大金持ちの政治家が少女のことを知り、自分のために財宝を沢山書かせます。最初、少女は政治家の要求を断りますが、最後は機転を利かして政治家のもくろみを防ぎ、不正を思い知らせます。レトリートに参加をした私たちはその後、もし魔法の筆をもらったら何を書くかについてそれぞれに話し合いました。
今年、アメリカに新しい大統領が誕生しました。オバマ氏はキング牧師の誕生日（1/19）を「奉仕の日」と制定し、ボランティア活動を呼びかけました。ミッシェル大統領夫人は海外で働く米兵たちを支えるケアー・パッケージ（援助物資）を詰めたり、オバマ大統領もバイデン副大統領も家族そろってボランティア活動に参加しました。アメリカは深刻な不況の中にあり多くの人が家を失っています。この「奉仕の日」への呼びかけを通してオバマ氏は国民に呼びかけてました。自分たち自身が大変な状況にあったとしても、人のために時間やエネルギーを使うことには大きな意味があります。このように、ボランティアイズムは人に物を配ったり、自分の時間を捧げたりすることばかりではなく、困っている人同士が共通の課題を見つけて共闘することにあるのです。
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
November SHARE
In the U.S., Thanksgiving is a holiday families often share together. It’s a reminder to be grateful for what we have and to share our time and blessings with the people close to us. This year I am thankful that I was able to share this tradition with my Sendai family. 
This year’s feast featured Pad Thai, meatloaf, 2 types of gratin, Caesar salad, hijiki, Japanese style meat and potatoes, tofu niimono, and completed by fruit custard tarts. The menu included many different flavors from various countries and each person shared one thing that they are grateful for. And, just like at the end of American Thanksgiving celebrations, we had eaten so much we could hardly move and there were still leftovers to take home. This was truly a celebration of our many blessings including a plentiful meal and 
the company in which to share it.アメリカの収穫感謝祭は家族みんなで過ごす休日です。与えられている恵みに感謝し、最も身近な人たちと分かち合う日です。今年、私はこの伝統を仙台のファミリーと分かち合うことができて嬉しいです。先日、テーブルに並んだ料理はパッタイ（タイ料理）、グラタン、サラダ、ひじき、肉じゃが、豆腐の煮物、そしてデザートにはタルト！メニューはいろんな国の料理
。参加者は皆自分が感謝している事柄をそれぞれ分かち合いました。それで、いつものアメリカの収穫感謝祭同様、食べ終わったときは皆お腹が一杯で、食べきれない物を皆が持ち帰るぐらいでした。これは本当の祝いの時でした。豊かな食卓は恵みを分かち合うとき。いただいた食べ物も一緒にいただいた仲間たちもこの食卓を豊にしてくれました。
。参加者は皆自分が感謝している事柄をそれぞれ分かち合いました。それで、いつものアメリカの収穫感謝祭同様、食べ終わったときは皆お腹が一杯で、食べきれない物を皆が持ち帰るぐらいでした。これは本当の祝いの時でした。豊かな食卓は恵みを分かち合うとき。いただいた食べ物も一緒にいただいた仲間たちもこの食卓を豊にしてくれました。 
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
October SHARE
Last month, I made a short visit to California to visit friends and family back home. I think that when visiting home after a long absence, no amount of time will ever feel long enough. What amazed me about this visit was how comfortable it felt. Most of my time was spent sitting around kitchen tables and on living room couches catching up with old friends. It was nice to be able to talk in person again instead of through letters, e-mails, and chat windows. 
One of my main purposes for going home this September was to help with the Sycamore Church Bazaar. After WWII there was a lot of resentment towards Japanese and Japanese-Americans in the U.S. In that time churches and temples became important community centers in the Japanese-American community and bazaars became an annual tradition as a way to bring members from different churches and different faiths together.
This year, as usual, the women of the Japanese congregation’s Fujinkai rolled maki-zushi, shaped triangular onigiri, and packaged small cups of tsukemono. The youth helped set up tables and hang signs before they worked their shifts in the game corner. This year I worked with my parents selling cold drinks after passing on my usual task of clearing tables and serving hot tea to another young person in our English congregation.
What makes Sycamore’s Bazaar special to me is that so many people return on that one day even after they’ve moved away or are no longer able to come to church every Sunday. So this is just one of the traditions that Sycamore celebrates as a family and it made me happy to be able to participate again this year. – SKLT
先月、カリフォルニアに一時帰国しました。ずっと離れていて、一時的に帰ると、どんなに時間があっても足りない気持ちになります。でも、今回は自分でもびっくりするぐらい落ち着いてゆっくりと友達や家族と過ごすことができて、やっぱり手紙やメールやチャット・ウインドウとは違う直接人と向き合える時間がいいなあと思いました。
今回帰った目的の一つは自分の教会のバザーを手伝うためでした。第２次世界大戦が終わったころ、アメリカでは日系人に対する複雑な思いがありました。そんな中で教会やお寺は日系人の精神的拠り所となり、バザーは宗教の違いを越えて日系人を一つに集める大事なときでした。
婦人会の人はいつものように巻きずし、三角おにぎり、漬け物を用意しました。若い人はそれぞれのブースに行く前にテーブルを出したり、看板を出したりして手伝いました。今年、私は自分のいつもの役割を後輩に伝授した後、飲み物を売って回るお手伝いをしました。私にとってシカモア教会のバザーが大切な理由があります。それはあの日にいろんな人が戻って来るからです。遠くに引っ越した人も、最近日曜日に礼拝に来ていない人も、この日には戻って来て一つの大きな家族になるのです。私もそういう意味では今年のバザーに参加できたことが本当に嬉しかったです。 サンディー
Monday, July 14, 2008
August SHARE
It was wonderful to see so many people at the Class Talent Show, especially all the OB/OG. A special thanks goes to everyone who performed or prepared the snacks, it was a great show. I hope you can all join us for the cleaning & BBQ 7/19 (Saturday) and we’ll see you all for the summer work camps in August and when classes start again in September.
Have a great summer vacation!! --SKLT
クラス発表会でたくさんの人に、特にOB/OGの人々に会えたことは本当に素晴らしいことでした。演奏・発表してくれた人、お菓子などを準備してくれた人、皆さん有難うございました。とても立派な会でした。7/19（土）の大掃除・ＢＢＱにもみなさん参加して下さい。そして８月の夏のワークキャンプで、また９月にクラスが再開する時にお会いしましょう。
よい夏休みをお過ごし下さい！！ （サンディ）
Have a great summer vacation!! --SKLT
クラス発表会でたくさんの人に、特にOB/OGの人々に会えたことは本当に素晴らしいことでした。演奏・発表してくれた人、お菓子などを準備してくれた人、皆さん有難うございました。とても立派な会でした。7/19（土）の大掃除・ＢＢＱにもみなさん参加して下さい。そして８月の夏のワークキャンプで、また９月にクラスが再開する時にお会いしましょう。
よい夏休みをお過ごし下さい！！ （サンディ）
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
July SHARE
This past Saturday (6/21) Workshop Class teacher Tanaka Satoko-sensei initiated a Tanzaku Action & Candle Night at the student center. In addition to a few students, many people from outside the student center community also came to participate in the event. The Candle Night movement started in Japan in 2003 in opposition to the Bush administration's energy policy. The idea is that if everyone turns off their lights for 2 hours and spent quality time with family and friends, the true meaning of a "peaceful life" could be realized. Candle Night was inspired by the Voluntary Blackout in Canada and has since spread many other countries around the world.
In Japan, this year's Candle Night happens to coincide with the upcoming G8 Summit in Toyako, Hokkaido which will be on July 7th. The G8 Summit is a meeting of global leaders from the most powerful countries in the world to discuss global issues. The permanent members in this year's 34th G8 Summit include Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, United Kingdom, and the United States. These countries collectively control 65% of the world's economy and hold a majority of the world's military power. This year they will discuss several issues including debt relief in Africa, climate change and sustainable energy, and others.
The idea of Tanzaku Action is to collect the tanzaku wishes from Japanese citizens to Japanese government leaders participating in the G8 Summit to exercise their responsibility in world policy. It was a very fun and informative evening complete with Nepalese curry made by some friends of Tanaka-sensei from the Shapla Neer non-profit organization. Since my parents were visiting me from the U.S. the idea of spending quality time with family while also saving energy was particularly inspiring. It was a good reminder for me to appreciate what little time we have with our family and friends because it will always seem too short. I thought the event was a wonderful way to bring global issues into our daily lives.
For more information in English go to:
Candle Night -- http://www.candle-night.org/english/
G8 Summit NGO Forum Tanzaku ACTION -- http://www.g8ngoforum.org/english/
G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit -- http://www.g8summit.go.jp/eng/index.html
Shapla Neer -- http://www.shaplaneer.org/english_site/index.html
In Japan, this year's Candle Night happens to coincide with the upcoming G8 Summit in Toyako, Hokkaido which will be on July 7th. The G8 Summit is a meeting of global leaders from the most powerful countries in the world to discuss global issues. The permanent members in this year's 34th G8 Summit include Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, United Kingdom, and the United States. These countries collectively control 65% of the world's economy and hold a majority of the world's military power. This year they will discuss several issues including debt relief in Africa, climate change and sustainable energy, and others.
The idea of Tanzaku Action is to collect the tanzaku wishes from Japanese citizens to Japanese government leaders participating in the G8 Summit to exercise their responsibility in world policy. It was a very fun and informative evening complete with Nepalese curry made by some friends of Tanaka-sensei from the Shapla Neer non-profit organization. Since my parents were visiting me from the U.S. the idea of spending quality time with family while also saving energy was particularly inspiring. It was a good reminder for me to appreciate what little time we have with our family and friends because it will always seem too short. I thought the event was a wonderful way to bring global issues into our daily lives.
For more information in English go to:
Candle Night -- http://www.candle-night.org/english/
G8 Summit NGO Forum Tanzaku ACTION -- http://www.g8ngoforum.org/english/
G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit -- http://www.g8summit.go.jp/eng/index.html
Shapla Neer -- http://www.shaplaneer.org/english_site/index.html
日本語:
Candle Night -- http://www.candle-night.org/jp/about/
G8 サミット NGO フォラム -- http://www.g8ngoforum.org/
G8 北海道洞爺湖サミット -- http://www.g8summit.go.jp/index.html
Shapla Neer NGO -- http://www.shaplaneer.org/
この前の土曜日（６／２１）ワークショップクラスの田中聡子先生が、短冊アクション＆キャンドルナイトを主催してくれました。数人の学生と、外部からたくさんの人がやってきてそのイベントに参加しました。キャンドルナイトの運動はブッシュ政権のエネルギー政策に反対して、日本では2003年に始まりました。その考えは、もしみんなが２時間電気を消して、家族や友人と充実した時を過ごしたら、本当の意味での“平和な生活”が実現するだろうということです。キャンドルナイトはカナダで自主停電をしたことから始まり、それ以来、世界各国に広がっています。
日本では、今年のキャンドルナイトは７月７日に始まる北海道洞爺湖でのG8サミットとたまたま時を同じくしています。G8サミットは世界主要国のリーダー達が、地球規模の課題を話し合うために集まる会です。今年の第３４回G8サミットのメンバーは、カナダ、フランス、ドイツ、イタリア、日本、ロシア、イギリス、アメリカです。これらの国は世界経済の６５％を支配し、世界の軍事力の大部分を有しています。今年、彼等は開発・アフリカを含む課題や、気候変動、持続燃料やその他いくつかの課題を話すことになっています。短冊アクションのアイデアは、世界的政策の中できちんと責任を果たすようにと日本の国民が願いや期待を短冊に書いて集め、G８サミットに参加する日本政府のリーダー達に送るのです。
とても楽しく有益な夜でした。田中先生の友達（シャプラニールNPOのメンバー）が作ったネパールカレーをいただいてすっかり満足しました。私の両親がアメリカから私を訪ねてきていて、エネルギーをセーブしながらも家族と一緒に豊かな充実した時を過ごせたのは特に素晴らしいものでした。このイベントは私たちの日常生活の中に、地球規模の課題をとりいれる素敵な方法だと思いました。（サンディ）
Monday, June 2, 2008
June SHARE
May has been a very busy month for the student center and this year’s yakuin-kai (TEAM-ACT) has been working hard to plan new events. Our Shinkan Hike and BarBQ (5/29) brought in many of new faces and the result was delicious food and a lot of fun. A BIG thank you for everyone who helped cook and welcome the new people. We had several students look through our photo albums and ask questions about SSC’s classes. Overall, I think the event was a huge success. The BarBQ was also great practice for the yakisoba making at the Emmaus Festival (5/31).
The hatake gardening club has also met twice to prepare the land and plant the seeds for the
coming year. I’m excited to see our crops grow and even more excited for the feast when it is time to harvest. If you are interested in learning more please contact Taki-Waki (e-mail: yt719 at hotmail dot com)．
I’m still practicing my Japanese little by little but all of the students at SSC have been very understanding and helpful. We’re almost done translating a survey for the Pop Culture class into English and Japanese. I hope that we’ll be able to send this survey to students in the US as well as to universities in Sendai very soon. We hope to collect a good number of responses in order to compare the interests of young people in the U.S. and here in Sendai. So when it is completed I hope that you will all help by filling one out.
TEAM-ACT is doing a wonderful job organizing events and bringing new students into our happy community. Please check our new Event Calendar in the Emmaus Center lobby (near the welcome table) for upcoming events. I cannot stress enough how hard Nita-san, Sato Mai-san, Kou-san, and Natsumi-san have been working in the few weeks since classes started so please tell them thank you if you see them around. It has made my job and Shima-san and Nabe-san’s jobs much easier. Thanks again! SKLT
５月はとても忙しい一月でした。今年度の役員会（TEAM-ACT）は新しいイベントを企画するために一生懸命動いています。新歓ハイクやBBQ(4/29)には沢山の新しい人が来て、食べ物も美味しくとても楽し
かったです。料理を作る手伝いをしてくれたり、新人を快く迎えてくれた皆さんに心から感謝します。数人の学生が私たちの写真を覗いてSSC(青年学生センター)のクラスについて色々質問していました。全体として、このイベントは大成功だったと思います。BBQはエマオ祭り（５/31）に学生たちが出す“焼きそば”作りの練習にもなりました。
畑クラブは月２回仲間と会って、土を耕し種を蒔きます。作物が育つのを見るのはとても楽しいし、さらに収穫してそれでご馳走を作るのはもっと楽しみです。もし興味のある方、もっと知りたい方は島さんか、滝脇友紀さんに連絡してください。（滝脇友紀――e-mail:yt719 at hotmail dot com）
私は日本語を少しずつ練習していますが、センターの学生たちはみんなとても良く理解してくれて助かっています。ポップカルチャークラスではアンケートを作って英語と日本語に訳しています。近い内にこのアンケートを仙台の大学とアメリカの学生にも送ってみんなに書いてもらいたいと思ってます。出来るだけ多く集めて集計し、アメリカの若者と仙台の若者との興味関心を比べてみたいです。皆さんもできたアンケートにこたえて、協力してください。
TEAM-ACTはイベントを企画したり、新しい学生を連れてきたりとても素晴らしい仕事をしています。エマオセンターのロビーにあるイベントカレンダー（ウェルカムテーブルの近くにある）をチェックして近く予定されているイベントを確認してください。クラスが始まってからの数週間、新田恭平さん、佐藤舞さん、菊地仰さん、阿部夏美さんたちがどれだけ一生懸命頑張ってきたか私がどんなに言っても言い表すことが出来ないくらいです。どうぞ彼等にあったらありがとうと言って下さい。おかげで私や島さんやなべさんの仕事がとても楽になります。本当にありがとう！
The hatake gardening club has also met twice to prepare the land and plant the seeds for the
coming year. I’m excited to see our crops grow and even more excited for the feast when it is time to harvest. If you are interested in learning more please contact Taki-Waki (e-mail: yt719 at hotmail dot com)．I’m still practicing my Japanese little by little but all of the students at SSC have been very understanding and helpful. We’re almost done translating a survey for the Pop Culture class into English and Japanese. I hope that we’ll be able to send this survey to students in the US as well as to universities in Sendai very soon. We hope to collect a good number of responses in order to compare the interests of young people in the U.S. and here in Sendai. So when it is completed I hope that you will all help by filling one out.
TEAM-ACT is doing a wonderful job organizing events and bringing new students into our happy community. Please check our new Event Calendar in the Emmaus Center lobby (near the welcome table) for upcoming events. I cannot stress enough how hard Nita-san, Sato Mai-san, Kou-san, and Natsumi-san have been working in the few weeks since classes started so please tell them thank you if you see them around. It has made my job and Shima-san and Nabe-san’s jobs much easier. Thanks again! SKLT
５月はとても忙しい一月でした。今年度の役員会（TEAM-ACT）は新しいイベントを企画するために一生懸命動いています。新歓ハイクやBBQ(4/29)には沢山の新しい人が来て、食べ物も美味しくとても楽し
かったです。料理を作る手伝いをしてくれたり、新人を快く迎えてくれた皆さんに心から感謝します。数人の学生が私たちの写真を覗いてSSC(青年学生センター)のクラスについて色々質問していました。全体として、このイベントは大成功だったと思います。BBQはエマオ祭り（５/31）に学生たちが出す“焼きそば”作りの練習にもなりました。畑クラブは月２回仲間と会って、土を耕し種を蒔きます。作物が育つのを見るのはとても楽しいし、さらに収穫してそれでご馳走を作るのはもっと楽しみです。もし興味のある方、もっと知りたい方は島さんか、滝脇友紀さんに連絡してください。（滝脇友紀――e-mail:yt719 at hotmail dot com）
私は日本語を少しずつ練習していますが、センターの学生たちはみんなとても良く理解してくれて助かっています。ポップカルチャークラスではアンケートを作って英語と日本語に訳しています。近い内にこのアンケートを仙台の大学とアメリカの学生にも送ってみんなに書いてもらいたいと思ってます。出来るだけ多く集めて集計し、アメリカの若者と仙台の若者との興味関心を比べてみたいです。皆さんもできたアンケートにこたえて、協力してください。
TEAM-ACTはイベントを企画したり、新しい学生を連れてきたりとても素晴らしい仕事をしています。エマオセンターのロビーにあるイベントカレンダー（ウェルカムテーブルの近くにある）をチェックして近く予定されているイベントを確認してください。クラスが始まってからの数週間、新田恭平さん、佐藤舞さん、菊地仰さん、阿部夏美さんたちがどれだけ一生懸命頑張ってきたか私がどんなに言っても言い表すことが出来ないくらいです。どうぞ彼等にあったらありがとうと言って下さい。おかげで私や島さんやなべさんの仕事がとても楽になります。本当にありがとう！
Friday, May 2, 2008
May SHARE
New Connections
This week I received two e-mails, one from Jeffrey and another from my pastor at Sycamore Church in California, Rev. Sharon MacArthur. They had met for the first time at the Common Global Ministries Board (CGMB) meeting in Cleveland, Ohio. (CGMB is a partner of the Kyodon in the United States that commissioned both Jeffrey and myself.) They were both anxious to hear about the beginning of the new school year in Sendai and they both send their blessings and best wishes.
Sycamore Church was founded by missionaries from Japan in Oakland in 1904. During WWII Sycamore’s members were relocated to Topaz, Utah. As families moved back to the Oakland area after the war ended, a few church members were able to rebuild some of what was lost. But often the Nisei, second generation, rejected their Japanese heritage in order to show their loyalty to the U.S., the place of their birth. However, this meant that they also separated themselves from their Japanese-born parents. Today many Nikkei don’t have any connection to Japan or Japanese culture except through faith-based organizations like churches or temples. In 2004, Sycamore celebrated its 100-year history and the work we do in the Japanese-American community today including a bi-lingual preschool and Japanese language courses. Although Sycamore has continually received missionaries from Japan to serve the growing Japanese-speaking congregation, I am the first member of Sycamore to come to Japan.
So, I was happy to hear that Jeffrey and Pastor Sharon were able to meet in Cleveland and even happier to hear that Jeffrey, Kako, Hana, Tomo, and Stella will be able to visit Sycamore in July. I think this is just the beginning of new connections between the Nikkei community in the US and the Christian community here in Japan. I’m glad that my presence at the Sendai Student/Youth Center can be a part of that. (SKLT)
新しいつながり
This week I received two e-mails, one from Jeffrey and another from my pastor at Sycamore Church in California, Rev. Sharon MacArthur. They had met for the first time at the Common Global Ministries Board (CGMB) meeting in Cleveland, Ohio. (CGMB is a partner of the Kyodon in the United States that commissioned both Jeffrey and myself.) They were both anxious to hear about the beginning of the new school year in Sendai and they both send their blessings and best wishes.
Sycamore Church was founded by missionaries from Japan in Oakland in 1904. During WWII Sycamore’s members were relocated to Topaz, Utah. As families moved back to the Oakland area after the war ended, a few church members were able to rebuild some of what was lost. But often the Nisei, second generation, rejected their Japanese heritage in order to show their loyalty to the U.S., the place of their birth. However, this meant that they also separated themselves from their Japanese-born parents. Today many Nikkei don’t have any connection to Japan or Japanese culture except through faith-based organizations like churches or temples. In 2004, Sycamore celebrated its 100-year history and the work we do in the Japanese-American community today including a bi-lingual preschool and Japanese language courses. Although Sycamore has continually received missionaries from Japan to serve the growing Japanese-speaking congregation, I am the first member of Sycamore to come to Japan.
So, I was happy to hear that Jeffrey and Pastor Sharon were able to meet in Cleveland and even happier to hear that Jeffrey, Kako, Hana, Tomo, and Stella will be able to visit Sycamore in July. I think this is just the beginning of new connections between the Nikkei community in the US and the Christian community here in Japan. I’m glad that my presence at the Sendai Student/Youth Center can be a part of that. (SKLT)
新しいつながり
今週、私は２つのメールを受け取りました。１つはジェフリーさんから、もう１つはカリフォルニアのシカモア教会の牧師・シャロン・マッカーサー先生からです。彼らは、オハイオ州クリーブランドでのＣＧＭＢの会合で初めて会ったのです。（ＣＧＭＢとはアメリカにある日本基督教団のパートナー＝仲間です。ジェフリーさんも私もその団体から派遣されています。）彼らは２人とも仙台での新学期の始まりのことを聞きたがっていました。そして祝福と恵みを祈ってくれています。
シカモア教会は1904年に日本からの宣教師達によってオークランドに創設されました。私の曾祖父母はそのメンバーの一員です。第Ⅱ次世界大戦の間、シカモア教会のメンバーはユタ州のトパーズという所に強制隔離収容されていました。戦後、家族達がオークランドの地域にもどってきたので、教会員たちは失われたものを再建することができました。が、日系二世の人々は自分たちの生まれた場所である合衆国に忠誠を示すため、日本人として受け継いでいくことを拒否しました。しかしこれは、彼ら自身が日本で生まれた両親からの隔絶をも意味したのです。今日多くの日系人は、教会やお寺のような信仰を土台とする組織を通して以外、日本や日本の文化と何の関係も持っていないのです。2004年にシカモア教会は100年の歴史と、バイリンガルの幼稚園と日本語コースを含む日系アメリカ人のコミュニテｲで私たちがしている業を記念して祝いました。シカモア教会は増え続ける日本語を話す会衆に仕えるために、引き続き日本から宣教師を受け入れています。私は日本にやってきた最初のシカモア教会員です。
ですから私はジェフリーさんとシャロン牧師がクリーブランドで会ったこと、ジェフリーさん一家（ジェフリーさん、かこさん、ハナちゃん、友くん、Stellaちゃん）が７月にシカモア教会に行くと聞いてとても喜んでいます。これは合衆国にいる日系人たちと、日本にいるクリスチャンたちとの新しい関係―つながりの始まりだと思います。私は、自分が仙台青年学生センターにいることそのものがその一部を担っているのだと思うととても嬉しいです。（サンデｨー)
シカモア教会は1904年に日本からの宣教師達によってオークランドに創設されました。私の曾祖父母はそのメンバーの一員です。第Ⅱ次世界大戦の間、シカモア教会のメンバーはユタ州のトパーズという所に強制隔離収容されていました。戦後、家族達がオークランドの地域にもどってきたので、教会員たちは失われたものを再建することができました。が、日系二世の人々は自分たちの生まれた場所である合衆国に忠誠を示すため、日本人として受け継いでいくことを拒否しました。しかしこれは、彼ら自身が日本で生まれた両親からの隔絶をも意味したのです。今日多くの日系人は、教会やお寺のような信仰を土台とする組織を通して以外、日本や日本の文化と何の関係も持っていないのです。2004年にシカモア教会は100年の歴史と、バイリンガルの幼稚園と日本語コースを含む日系アメリカ人のコミュニテｲで私たちがしている業を記念して祝いました。シカモア教会は増え続ける日本語を話す会衆に仕えるために、引き続き日本から宣教師を受け入れています。私は日本にやってきた最初のシカモア教会員です。
ですから私はジェフリーさんとシャロン牧師がクリーブランドで会ったこと、ジェフリーさん一家（ジェフリーさん、かこさん、ハナちゃん、友くん、Stellaちゃん）が７月にシカモア教会に行くと聞いてとても喜んでいます。これは合衆国にいる日系人たちと、日本にいるクリスチャンたちとの新しい関係―つながりの始まりだと思います。私は、自分が仙台青年学生センターにいることそのものがその一部を担っているのだと思うととても嬉しいです。（サンデｨー)
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
April SHARE
Greetings!
Since I arrived in Sendai almost 2 months ago I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many of the students and alumni of the Sendai Student/Youth Center and participate in many of the activities, like the recent study tour to Okinawa. I am so grateful for the warm reception and the new friends I’ve made in this time. I’ve learned so much about Japan and Japanese culture from all of you and I hope that these friendships continue long beyond our time here in Sendai together. Someday soon I hope I am able to speak to all of you in near perfect Japanese.
As the new school year starts, I’m excited for the launch of my discussion group on American and Japanese pop culture and I hope that it will be fun and we will learn a lot about each other. I look forward to seeing everyone again and meeting all the new students.
SKLT, Visiting Missionary
私は２ヶ月前に仙台に来てから、仙台青年学生センターの学生や卒業生達と会って、楽しくいろいろな活動に参加してきました。最近では沖縄スタディツアーにも参加しました。
みなさんの温かい歓迎と、新しくできた友達にとても感謝しています。私はみなさんから日本について、日本の文化についてたくさんのことを学んでいます。この友情・交わりが、今だけでなく、ここ仙台でだけでなく、ずっと続くことを願っています。そして、近いうちに私はみなさんと流暢な日本語で（！）話せるようになりたいです。
新学期が始まって、これから私が始めようとしているアメリカと日本のポップカルチャーについて語り合うクラスが楽しみです。楽しいものにしていきたいし、お互いに色々なことを学び会いましょう。
みなさんや、新しい学生さんたちに会うのが楽しみです。
サンドラ （短期宣教師)
Since I arrived in Sendai almost 2 months ago I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many of the students and alumni of the Sendai Student/Youth Center and participate in many of the activities, like the recent study tour to Okinawa. I am so grateful for the warm reception and the new friends I’ve made in this time. I’ve learned so much about Japan and Japanese culture from all of you and I hope that these friendships continue long beyond our time here in Sendai together. Someday soon I hope I am able to speak to all of you in near perfect Japanese.
As the new school year starts, I’m excited for the launch of my discussion group on American and Japanese pop culture and I hope that it will be fun and we will learn a lot about each other. I look forward to seeing everyone again and meeting all the new students.
SKLT, Visiting Missionary
私は２ヶ月前に仙台に来てから、仙台青年学生センターの学生や卒業生達と会って、楽しくいろいろな活動に参加してきました。最近では沖縄スタディツアーにも参加しました。
みなさんの温かい歓迎と、新しくできた友達にとても感謝しています。私はみなさんから日本について、日本の文化についてたくさんのことを学んでいます。この友情・交わりが、今だけでなく、ここ仙台でだけでなく、ずっと続くことを願っています。そして、近いうちに私はみなさんと流暢な日本語で（！）話せるようになりたいです。
新学期が始まって、これから私が始めようとしているアメリカと日本のポップカルチャーについて語り合うクラスが楽しみです。楽しいものにしていきたいし、お互いに色々なことを学び会いましょう。
みなさんや、新しい学生さんたちに会うのが楽しみです。
サンドラ （短期宣教師)
Sunday, March 2, 2008
March SHARE
はじめまして。
サンディーと呼んでください。先月末に仙台に到着しました。これから一年間、インターンシップと言う形でこの仙台青年学生センターで働きます。私の役割はまずセンターの活動に加わること。そして、できたら新しい魅力的な活動を生み出すことです。私がここにいることで、皆さんに新鮮な視点・世界を提供できたらと思います。また、私も皆さんからいろんなことを学んでアメリカの友人や家族に伝えられるように持って帰りたいと思います。
母は中国系アメリカ人、父は日系三世です。私はシカモア教会（米国合同教会）という日系人教会に属しています。現在２１才。バークレー市にあるカルフォルニア大学では生物学と社会学を勉強しました。将来、小学校で子供たちに理科を教えたいと思っています。また、カルフォルニアの地域政策の立案などにも関わって行きたいとも思っています。趣味としては自分で食べる野菜を育てること。そして料理をするのも好きです。その他、人と出会うこと、他の文化について学ぶこと、音楽を聞くこと、野外で過ごすことが好きです。
皆さんとこの一年間、一緒に活動するのを楽しみにしています。スタッフや会員の皆さんにとって私の存在が何かの新しいきっかけ作りになればいいなと思っています。
どうぞ、よろしくお願いします。
Hajimemashite.
My name is Sandy. I arrived in Sendai last month to begin my one-year internship with the Sendai Student Youth Center. My role will be to participate in Center activities as well as to hopefully develop interesting new activities. Over this year I hope that I will be able to contribute a fresh perspective and to learn from each of you so that I may take back what I learn to friends and family back home.
My mother is a second generation Chinese-American and my father is a third generation (Sansei) Japanese-American. I belong to a Japanese-American church near my hometown called Sycamore Congregational Church, UCC. I am 21-years-old and I graduated from the University of California, Berkeley majoring in Plant Biology and minoring in Ethnic Studies. In the future I would like to teach elementary school science and get involved in local policy-making in California. I have an interest in growing my own vegetables and I love to cook. Other interests include meeting new people, learning about other cultures, listening to music, and spending time outdoors.
I look forward to working with you all in the upcoming year and I hope that I will be a resource for both the staff and students at the Sendai Youth Center.
Douzo yoroshiku onegaeshimasu.
サンディーと呼んでください。先月末に仙台に到着しました。これから一年間、インターンシップと言う形でこの仙台青年学生センターで働きます。私の役割はまずセンターの活動に加わること。そして、できたら新しい魅力的な活動を生み出すことです。私がここにいることで、皆さんに新鮮な視点・世界を提供できたらと思います。また、私も皆さんからいろんなことを学んでアメリカの友人や家族に伝えられるように持って帰りたいと思います。
母は中国系アメリカ人、父は日系三世です。私はシカモア教会（米国合同教会）という日系人教会に属しています。現在２１才。バークレー市にあるカルフォルニア大学では生物学と社会学を勉強しました。将来、小学校で子供たちに理科を教えたいと思っています。また、カルフォルニアの地域政策の立案などにも関わって行きたいとも思っています。趣味としては自分で食べる野菜を育てること。そして料理をするのも好きです。その他、人と出会うこと、他の文化について学ぶこと、音楽を聞くこと、野外で過ごすことが好きです。
皆さんとこの一年間、一緒に活動するのを楽しみにしています。スタッフや会員の皆さんにとって私の存在が何かの新しいきっかけ作りになればいいなと思っています。
どうぞ、よろしくお願いします。
Hajimemashite.
My name is Sandy. I arrived in Sendai last month to begin my one-year internship with the Sendai Student Youth Center. My role will be to participate in Center activities as well as to hopefully develop interesting new activities. Over this year I hope that I will be able to contribute a fresh perspective and to learn from each of you so that I may take back what I learn to friends and family back home.
My mother is a second generation Chinese-American and my father is a third generation (Sansei) Japanese-American. I belong to a Japanese-American church near my hometown called Sycamore Congregational Church, UCC. I am 21-years-old and I graduated from the University of California, Berkeley majoring in Plant Biology and minoring in Ethnic Studies. In the future I would like to teach elementary school science and get involved in local policy-making in California. I have an interest in growing my own vegetables and I love to cook. Other interests include meeting new people, learning about other cultures, listening to music, and spending time outdoors.
I look forward to working with you all in the upcoming year and I hope that I will be a resource for both the staff and students at the Sendai Youth Center.
Douzo yoroshiku onegaeshimasu.
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