Above is a picture of our daily Japanese stretching time. We listen to a song in Japanese that directs us how to stretch ( I do not understand most of the Japanese, but I follow Ai-Sensai who is stretching next to me on the right). This is one of the many cultural activities that we share. Stretching is important enough for every Japanese student to take a break from their very busy schedule and stretch each morning.
Much like our muscles needing to be pulled, sometimes in an uncomfortable way, I am realizing that our lives with Christ need to be stretched daily as well. The more we are stretched (especially when we think something is impossible) the more we are forced to depend on the wonderful grace of Christ Jesus, and not on our always tempting works of our own flesh.
One practical way that this happens is through Covenant Community School International. CCSI is a school that is constantly stretching. It has too, to survive as one of the few (possibly only) schools in the country to combine a Christian education with homeschooling, as well as an English section of the school and a Japanese section. There are many times where I do not know where the time, money, energy, people, wisdom, or help is going to come from, yet in my short 8 months here God has continually provided abundantly for this school. There are times when it is uncomfortable for the staff, students, and/or parents, and each time God provides answers and resources. Please pray for all of us, as this school is stretched and God continually provides. Pray for Robert Stewart, for wisdom, as he is the headmaster of the school. Please pray for Ai-san as she is not only teaching the Japanese children full-time, but also creating a Japanese-Christian elementary curriculum and helping with most of the many translating needs of a bilingual school. Please pray for the 21 students, that they would grow in their understanding of God’s grace and that they would share Christ’s love with many.
E.Noll–that is way deep. Thanks for these good thoughts.
Much Love, The Iverson 3
I understand the wierd Asian stretching, we have “stretchers” all around the park where I go running.
And I understand your stretching as well. We might not see all God’s growing in us til we get back to the US to compare ourselves to ourselves. Hey, your dad’s in Phuket now visiting Dave! I wish we could both be there to see each other too!