Photo credit: Yuki W.; Written by: Laura R.
Hello all!
First, I wanted to let you know we are doing well. While there are cases of corona virus near us, we have been fine and healthy. There’s a lot of rhetoric about the virus on social media, but let’s all continue caring for one another and believing the best in each other.
Ok, back to the week’s deets.
Tuesday, March 10th
We had our weekly Sunrise team meeting. Mainly we lesson planned for our online classes this week, and for the upcoming day-camps we’re putting on during spring break. Assuming they aren’t cancelled, we have three day-camps planned: American culture camp, spring camp, and microscope camp.
Wednesday, March 11th
In the afternoon I met with Peter (from the Sunrise team) and Mr. Fuji (who runs a nonprofit). Through his nonprofit, Mr. Fuji provides business, family, and life coaching services. His nonprofit’s website hasn’t been updated in 10 years, and he wants to give it a new look. We met so he could share his vision for his nonprofit and the website in order that I can update it.
This was one of my favorite days so far! I loved it for two reasons:
1. Our meeting was entirely in Japanese, besides when I would talk (I know.. I know.. I should be using my Japanese 🤦🏼♀️). Not saying I understood 100% of everything, but I understood a lot more than I thought I would.
2. When someone has a vision they are passionate about, I love hearing their dream and collaborating together to make it happen. Along with this, I also enjoy websites and branding. To me, websites are just creative enough that it feels like art, but also functional enough to be a medium for business.
Thursday, March 12th
Online classes in the morning. In the afternoon we went to lunch with the Andoh’s, friends of Peter and Wendi who pastor a church in the area.
Mark’s favorite food was the smoked eel sushi. 🍣
We enjoyed getting to know them and hearing their stories as Japanese pastors. They also brought us to their church to show us around. They’re a sweet, dedicated couple who are completely self-supported, yet give their all to the church and community.
Friday, March 13th
Kobe day! When I was on the World Race, my team was here for a month working with a preschool. Mark and I got to meet with some of the moms and their kids at a park. It was a fun day of playing games, catching up, and seeing how much the kids had grown!
Afterwards we met with Vallory. She went on the World Race back in 2013 and has been living/working in Kobe now for a few years. We completely forgot to take a picture (😔), but we did eat the most delicious burgers together while we chatted away.
The streets were empty, but the lights were beautiful.
Saturday, March 14th
Peter and Wendi’s friends, the Kohl’s, came over to meet us. They’ve been in Kobe for 15 years now and run a business development firm in Japan. Along with this, the have a nonprofit that assists families with children who have special needs. They’re a funny, laid-back couple, and we loved hearing about their vision for being here through their business.
After talking, we all (we all= The Kohl’s and their son, Peter and Wendi and their three kids, Andy, Mark, and me) went to eat okonomiyaki- a Japanese grilled savory pancake/omelette. Afterwards we went back to the education center building to have a nerf war 😅.
In order to avoid getting shot in the face, I hung out upstairs with Andy, Wendy, and Kendra.
Sunday, March 15th
Simple day. I worked on the website for a chunk of time, and then in the evening we went to Peter and Wendi’s house church.
Monday, March 16th
Rest day. 😌It was on and off snowing this day.
Andy, Mark, and I made crepes in the morning, spaghetti at night, and watched Rainmaker. Mark loves lawyer movies, so he knew all the answers as it was happening (“That’s leading the witness!”). I was thankful for it because I was confused most of the time. 🤷♀️
Thank you for reading this far 😂. We love you all and are so thankful for all of your intentionality and encouragement.
With love,
Laura & Mark
A Rowdon Adventure 