Okinawa Day 4

On Sunday, Dec. 27, I went to church with Lisa. The church Lisa attends meets in the cafeteria of her school so we walked from her apartment, across the soccer field and entered the building for church.

The pastor did a puppet show for the children.

And the message (in Japanese & English)

was a church family's story of God given Joy that comes through suffering. They experienced a miscarriage one year ago and this Dec. 24 were united with a Japanese/Canadian baby who was up for adoption.

For lunch we connected with Lisa's friends and fellow church members - Allen and Mary and Mary's daughter Heather and went to one of the many military bases in Okinawa. Heather, who was visiting from the states is a translator (in Russian) for the US government and was able to get us all passes onto a base in Japan. There we enjoyed some American goodness known as Macaroni Grill. Culture Shock hit when I saw the HUGE serving sizes, realized they offered free refills, was required to pay with US dollars, and was distracted by American football on the TV.

My meal was very yummy! Lobster & Shrimp Ravioli and raspberry lemonade!

and the conversation at the table fascinating!

After Lunch Lisa gave me a tour of the Okinawa Christian School International.

I had visited her here for Spring Break 2000,

but loved seeing her classroom and stealing ideas to use at Kansai Christian School.

The front of the school with a nativity scene out front in the shadows of the palm trees.

The High school/Middle school area.^

Lisa in the open air hallway that leads to her 4th grade classroom.

The sub-zero weather in Minnesota would make this design impossible!
^the view from Lisa's floor looking toward the Ocean.

The Classroom^

The Teacher^ Hi Ms. Sorley!

We ended the day by watching DVD's like "UP".

Lisa just started blogging at http://lisasorley.blogspot.com/

Stop by her blog and encourage her as begins this online adventure.