Breaking into a small town isn't easy anywhere. How long did it take you to become accepted in Aikawa?
Hiroshi: It may be that I'm still not accepted! Life has gotten a lot better, however.
I have gotten used to it and gradually the people in the town, especially the people who attend English classes,
have come to realize that the church is not such a strange place after all. When we first moved here people stared
at us everywhere we went. They wondered what kind of people we were and what in the world we were doing here.
Not only were we "foreigners" to the area, we also worshipped a God they knew nothing about.
How are things now?
Hiroshi: One of the biggest breakthroughs in becoming accepted into the community occurred when we purchased
land about 4 years after we moved here. Once we did that people knew we were going to be here for awhile.
Our first church building was destroyed by a typhoon, but 8 years ago we were able to build our present
newer style church building. This seemed to be another huge step to becoming a part of the town.
Now for the most part the people treat us just like anyone else. The English classes have really helped.
How many years have you had English conversation classes at your church?
Hiroshi: We first started classes eight years ago. During those 8 years we have had
7 short term English teachers and about 90 different students attending the classes.
How would you describe the "typical" English student in your church's program?
Hiroshi: The majority of our adult students have been housewives and young single working women.
We have had very few men enrolled in the classes over the years... could it be that men don't like to study?!
A lot of the students want to learn English so they can watch foreign movies and travel abroad.
Right now there are 20 students. The oldest one is 71 and the youngest is 6.
Have you studied English in the classes this whole time too?
Hiroshi: Yes. I'm not a very good student but I have attended the evening classes for 8 years.
Do you personally enjoy English?
Hiroshi: Well, it comes in handy...I'm really glad I've had this chance to study.
How much time do you spend on the English class ministry in an average week?
Hiroshi: Every Monday I spend 1 or 2 hours preparing for the chapel times.
For the adult classes I write out my talk in English and Japanese and have the English
teacher correct the English part. Tuesday is class day. I join the morning class for chapel and tea.
Usually the ladies bring food and tea turns into lunch, but there are some good opportunities for discussion.
I tell Bible stories to the kids after their English class in the afternoon and spend the
evening with the students studying, and doing chapel and tea. Sometimes we go out to eat
together or go bowling after class. One Saturday a month we have a kid's English club.
I tell a Bible story then as well.
Since I am currently the only one from the church able to be involved in the classes
I feel it is very important that I get acquainted with the students as much as possible.
The English teachers change every year or so but I am always here. I'm able to be the consistent link to the church.
If I don't get involved in this way the classes aren't really a ministry of the church.
Pastor Obara's favorite foods include sushi, raw fish, and an occasional whip cream pie.
This one was prepared by Linda and downed at a pie eating contest during a barbeque held for
Aikawa church members and English students.
Let's figure this out...you spend about 2 hours on Mondays and 4 or 5 hours on Tuesdays on English...
at least 6 hours a week x 50 weeks a year x 8 years of classes...By now you have spent well
over 2400 hours on English!! That's a LOT of time!! Has it been worth it?
Hiroshi: Yes it has...if I invite people to come to a worship service or to come hear about the Bible nobody comes.
Even after I get to know people they just won't come to the church.
There were two main reasons we started English classes. First of all I wanted a way to get people to come
inside the church building and actually see what kind of place it is. Secondly I wanted to have a way to begin
introducing people to the Scriptures, which I am able to do during my chapel talks. The English classes have helped
the people of Aikawa become familiar with our church and have helped our church break into the community.
For more information about teaching English in Japan contact us at:
connections@lbwm.org
