October 4&5, 2023 Visit to St. Albans, Tokyo

 

October 4&5, 2023

Visit to St. Albans , Tokyo

I visited st. Albans in Tokyo. Few year ago, I met Naomi Saito-Schmidt, a daughter of Pastor Linda,

in front of Keio. I was surprised and had a little chat with her. She was on the way to St. Albans an Anglican church. I was shocked that Presbytarian minister's daughter was attending an Anglican church. Later, with on line meeting of the Yokohama Christian Church with Wisconsin Pastor Linda she mentioned how great this St. Albans was with their two or three scout troops and the nursery school is so successful. I heard from my student's mother that Shuma had attended this nursery school before he went to Aoba and St, Mary's and she had very good impression about the place.

I became very curious. I thought they are the best example of how an "international" nursery should be.

So, I decided to visit them through Episcopalian minister/priest of St. Alban I had met in Christ Church.

I went on October 4, First I made the mistake of time, instead of 12:30 I went at 10:30; luckily the organist of the first Wednesday was the organist I had met before. She said to walk around the community. I did it.  The Chapel was just across the Grand Lodge and the other side corner is the  KCIA headquarter of Japan and next to that is the huge Russian embassy, about the size of the USA embassy and behind is the American Club. In front is the tallest building in Japan, Azabudai Hills

and had a sign of the British School in Tokyo , someday I would visit. I just walk to their 15,000 Square meters campus and saw the principal I knew from the War Cemetery.

He said to come in so I did and heard from him his 800 enrollment is going to be soon 900 (not to  be mentioned but you can guess that the well to do HK British are coming and that is the reason the building and the school exist. How great Tokyo is and how my RBL contact works)

The nursery story  to be continued.

October 2&3, 2023 Some thoughts from a letter from Jun Ishimoto

 October 2&3, 2023

Some thoughts from a letter from Jun Ishimoto

actually it is a messenger.

Jun mentioned he had met the head of Yokohama Christian School

and signed a contract of his money back from the school

after she had reported to the authority about his daughter's case and school tuition was refunded.

It was done in business like.

Jun mentioned that the Brothers of St. Mary's International School 

had more of heart into any cases that took place in school and not

business like the Christian School. She said Jun is in the past of "international

schools", today it is different.よくいいいよる

I thought St. Mary's were business only and only location and good facilities.

This was my illusion, it is inside that counts., taking care of the students as a human being

with heart of compassion and thought.

I just met with Dennis Yang and listen to some major issues that Kermit had totally forgot

(maybe he did unconsciously) but Dennis knew in details of the Johnny's associate like 

problem that was taking place in  '70's SJC and contrast with SMIS Brothers in other side of the river.

I thought the Brother was a good teacher and met him with my wife in Sapporo and supported his return  and even went to his funeral at Gyosei Chapel; but with the Johnny's case I thought I made a wrong view.  Even  you are a good teacher, if you are not a good human being, it has no meaning. Now I realize it.

I always thought SJC defeat  was physical building and facilities difference, it was more than that.

Now, same night I heard about YCS taking over most of YCS and that was going to be a divine worship problem for the, but after reading Jun's letter and listening to Dennis at Staba around noon, I think is more than that. It is very unfortunate that people can not be humble to open their minds and listen to others.

事件の問題よりもその対処の仕方に大変申し訳なく思っています。誠意思ってやってもらいたかったです。

As an educator, I should really be careful how I should be and do my duty as an educator.

More than that I really really regret very very much that I had introduce the Ishimoto family to  a "Christian School" which they were not and I  am very sorry I did.

I hope this lesson will be remember in my life to live accordingly.

October 1, 2023 Berrick Hall and Yamate area today

 October 1, 2023

I went to Berrick Hall where SJC/SJIS alumni had 

their annual display.

I met Charlie Chen, Mikami, and Endo and his girl friend.

Charlie remarked about the rich visiting Japan as a VIP especially in Niseko Ski area

and wealthy Hong Kong kids being sent to an international school in Japan

September 18, 2023 A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mathew(18:21-35)

 September 18, 2023

Reflection....

The reading carries reference to the central theme of forgiveness.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mathew (18:21-35)

" Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? Asa many as seven times?" Christ said to him, " Not seven times, but I tell you, seventy-seven times. " For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.  When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was bought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made.  So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying " Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything." And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt.  But that same slave, as he went out, came upon of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by throat, he said, " Pay what you owe."  Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him,  " Have patience with me, and I will pay you." But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt.  When his fellow slaves saw what happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went to their lord all that had taken place.  Then his lord summoned him and said to him, "You wicked slave!  I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.  Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?" And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt.  So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you. if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart."

This is the Liturgy of Christian Church. On the same Sunday morning, NHK E,"KOKORO NO JIDAI"

had an interview with a German Zen Monk from Antaiji.  He lives in simple Zen life with vegetables grown in their backyard; meditating daily with Zazen. The idea or philosophy goes to our 30,000 or 50,000 lives of HomoSapiens compare with billions of years of Cosmic world and think of how short and mortal life of us.

Zen is based on the Cosmic world and us, Homo Sapiens; and  Judeo-Christian base on our daily life and thinking of going up to heaven to attain future eternity. Reflection on both tells us simply to do good to others.

September 15, 2023 About a dream: pondering whether to follow my intuition or not.

 September 15, 2023

About a dream a dream:

pondering whether to follow my intuition or not.

I had a call from my friend Ishimoto of his claim to get the money back from Yokohama Christian School.

I should write more detail about my concept of the case (question of the existence of "Christian" school

and my idea of not to be involve or even step on their "Christian" building., and more having biased on the concept and action of "great American" spreading the faith.

Whatever it is I think I should terminate the relation with them  soon though my wife is very much involve and taking care all the function of what Pastor should be doing.  They had no Pastor for four five years though Pastor Linda was behind the scene all the time making Alisha as her instigator for Yokohama Christian School.

I think their priority is a school and secondary or even more bottom on the list is their church.

There is a puppet show and some descent Christian group coming this week. 

I hope this month will be a last week to be there.

(Let me add  my feeling to this case. Ishimoto's adopted daughter age 3 was there. She had some kind of bruise, somebody reported to Alisha  and Alisha send her to Child government consulting and she never return to the Ishimoto. Of course, Ishimoto may had some problems but I do not understand

how a "Christian" group could do it. I already had an experience of my books being thrown away without consultation. That is OK because they are materials but I can not tolerate doing to a human being, a person in whatever situation. I cannot tolerate the situation. Maybe be American culture is possible.) I spoke to my wife about a dream of that I had today. I mentioned my strong feeling to a bicultural kid as I am.  We always had a chance of being thrown away, but I was fortunate not. I saw many cases thrown away, so I don't like throwing away things and persons.

August 23, 2023 the British Ambassador's visit to Yokohama Yamate/Christ Church/Seafarer's office/Foreign Cemetery

 August 23, 2023

the British Ambassador's visit

to Yokohama Yamate

Christ Church

Seafarer's office 

Yokohama Foreign General Cemetery

August 19, 2023 Some Reminiscence of Yokohama

 August 19, 2023 

Some Reminiscence of Yokohama with my thoughts today, August 19.

It is extremely hot weather with 35 degrees and I am avoiding to go out for  

over 20 days or more and it looks like it will continue that way this whole month of August and even in September.

What can you do besides stay home and be cool.  We had stay home for three to four years under COVID

and now with heat another problem. Many the earth is fed up with us, human: War And not done anything for ecology even after Marvin Gaye sang: "Ecology, Mercy mercy me....what is going on...war ...mercury in sea...and all the greed...destine to die....mercy mercy me...

Rev. Kermit mentioned I should write instead of talk/mumble.....hope I can write instead of talk....(kind of mid summer resolution, hope I will keep it)

Rev said work on writing and even in Japanese, hope I can have Japanese and English writing journal/Blog  somehow, maybe alternative days or something like that....

The trouble of Japanese is that  it doesn't come to your head but if I do it maybe my dementia mind may start working. Maybe start in September or October when it cools down.

Nagoya was hot and I know Phoenix is hot, but now it is here in Yokohama. We have to survive.

Other than that Michiko has her Yokohama Union Church Board meeting and most probably solves all their problems with her positive mind and she does it; and I think my function in this world will be retired and be "INKYO" style life, not bothering people or disturb the peace and the harmony of the world.

Reading and writing and mumbling my thoughts in Blogs are permitted, so I think I will do it with a small ambition of working with my "international institute" and do reach and express in writing of "Sento Josefu Monogatari" in 2024.

I think I have to close Kagamihara/Gifu/(Nagoya) house in 2024 after 50 some years of taking care.

  国際教育研究所/Yokohama International Institute with 奥原ジョージ will exist forever in Life and continue part of the journey travelling in Life and that is what I like.