Bibleverse

Prophecy about Jesus from around 700 BC:

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement

that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—

every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:5-6 (ESV)

聖せ い し ょ書

Passing of John Goto, Founding Director

Premier School is celebrating its 12th year since

it opened in April of 2006 in Takamori. Three

students from the first graduating class completed

their one-year study abroad in America and

returned home in June.

Twelve years ago, MeySen took up the challenge

of creating a day-long English environment for

kindergarten students, and with the support of the

parents and the enthusiasm of the children who

participated, we are now seeing the results.

When the Premier School Elementary program

first began, the focus was on drilling exercises and

memorization so the children would be exposed

to as many words and expressions as possible,

since the class time was limited to just 1.5–2.5

hours. With the current program, students are

offered more opportunities to speak, which

balances the teaching input of the teachers with

the speaking output of the students. These eager

kindergarten students expanded their vocabulary

and deepened their understanding of English as

they continued through Premier Elementary and

on to Premier High School.

MeySen is especially proud to see how the

students experience growth in two worlds: the

Japanese world and the English world, as they

juggled study commitments to both their Japanese

school education and the Premier School program.

Premier School will continue to provide a good

educational environment all the way through G11,

supporting students so they can gain a high ability

in English, as well as in their personal growth and

character development, allowing them to thrive in a

global environment.

Every year, we receive comments

from families and teachers in

America, surprised to see our ten-

year-old Japanese G4 students not

only successfully navigating daily

life with their host family, but also

confidently participating in class

and making themselves at home in

American life and culture.

“Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Lindsay. It is my pleasure to welcome you to Delta Airlines’ Flight

166 bound for Seattle.”

This past March, as the G4 students waited to board their flight to leave on the Seattle Study Trip, Yuzuha

Okamura (Lindsay) gave the announcement to the passengers at the boarding counter. This was a part

of their “Delta Airlines work experience,” a request the airline had made after the staff had witnessed the

astonishing English proficiency of the G4 students from previous Seattle Study Trips. Lindsay held the

microphone with confidence, informing the passengers of the boarding announcements with fluid, natural

pronunciation as they waited to board the plane. She received a warm round of applause for her effort.

John Goto, a founding director at MeySen Academy, passed away on May 13, 2018. A second-

generation Japanese-American, Mr. Goto was born and raised in Hawaii. At only 19 years of

age, he came to post-war Japan in 1945 as a member of the Occupation Army. Saddened at the

sight of the devastation in Japan, he desired to bring hope to the Japanese people through the

gospel of Jesus Christ, and returned to Japan as a missionary. In his early years, Mr. Goto lived

in a tent, visiting towns and villages in the Tohoku area, imploring people to turn to the

God of Heaven, the Creator, proclaiming forgiveness through Christ’s death on the

cross, and hope of eternal life through the resurrection.

He labored physically alongside his fellow missionaries during the founding

of MeySen Academy, and steered the Academy as the founding director for 39

years, until March 2006. Many of the English teachers were deeply impacted by

Mr. Goto and had received encouraging emails from him until his last day.

He truly gave his life to the mission and the education of MeySen Academy

from his return to Japan at age 25 to the end of his earthly life at 91.

Seattle Study Trip

What I Learned During My 　　Study Abroad　Ayana Taniyama (Rose), Kouki Wada (Grant), and Ayu Miura

(Maddie), three graduates of Premier School’s charter class, have

made excellent grades in their studies since they arrived at their

respective American schools last summer, scoring well above the

average of the local students in most of their subjects, a testament of

their excellent English ability. They did, however, have other struggles:

the feeling of insecurity they felt being away from their parents, and

their struggle with losing confidence in themselves, being in such a

foreign environment—both common experiences for someone living

abroad for the first time. But they persevered and returned with smiles

on their faces. The MeySen faculty and staff are excited to see their

continued growth, now that they have returned to Japan.

We have hosted students from MeySen Academy for three years and

want to continue for as long as we are able! We look forward to this as a

family every year and it is definitely a highlight for us. Our MeySen students

have always been incredibly respectful, kind, and polite. When they are

here, our home is filled with laughter and conversation about our different

cultures. We have a great time doing fun activities and getting to know a

slice of Japan. It is an invaluable experience for each one of us.

We treasure our time with the MeySen staff and students and are always

amazed at how well they speak English and adapt to a new environment.

You are to be commended for a job well done! Thank you for being such a

blessing to us!Kimberly- Joy Dunphy

King’s School First Grade Teacher and Host Mother

Envy and JealousyPart 15

People tend to compare themselves with others, feeling envy and

jealousy in their hearts. Envy and jealousy come from desire driven by

self-love and selfishness. People see others’ possessions, properties,

positions, and fame, and covet those things, becoming envious

towards them. The Bible says the following about envy and jealousy:

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder

and every vile practice. ( James 3:16 )

A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.

( Proverbs 14:30 )

Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand

before jealousy? ( Proverbs 27:4 )

Envy is also listed as one of the sins that destroys people:

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality,

impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife,

jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,

envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.

I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things

will not inherit the kingdom of God.

( Galatians 5:19-21 )

The Bible says that people with such sins are not able to

enter heaven. Every person is born with this kind of sin hidden in

their hear ts. But those who recognize their sins, turn to God and

accept Jesus Christ’s salvation are promised to receive the Holy Spirit

from God and have their hearts changed. The Bible talks about

people that have had their hearts changed in the verses following.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

goodness, faithfulness… Let us not become conceited, provoking

one another, envying one another.

( Galatians 5:22,26 )

So how can we avoid becoming envious towards people?

Stop comparing ourselves to others, but rather be thankful for what

we have. Recognize that things and possessions will not make us

happy, nor will material things, positions, or fame, last. Seek to

please God, storing up treasures in heaven just as Jesus taught us.

We shouldn’t associate with people that are full of pride due to the

value they put in possessions and worldly lifestyle, but rather join

people who are kind to others, and be kind ourselves. Focusing on

celebrating others’ successes and happiness will also reduce jealousy

in our lives.

Jesus taught that people who sincerely love God, and love their

neighbors as themselves, will keep all of God’s commandments.

As we recognize our own sinfulness and how much God loves us,

we become ones who love God and love our neighbors just as God

loved us, free from envy and jealousy.

With the founding teachers (Mr.Goto on the right end)

With the Japanese believers (third from right, first row)

Kouki Wada (Grant) in a class at a High School in Sacramento, California

Moral LessonsBiblefrom the

Daniel Fanger, Principal

Students Experience Making Airline Boarding Announcement

Just like the saying “time flies,”my time in America flew by fast.

I was surprised when I was able to understand the language on my first

day. Some subjects I found easy, such as Algebra, and other subjects,

like American History, I found hard in comparison to Japanese History.

During my time studying in America, I realized how much my

parents care about me, how fortunate I am to have my life in Japan,

and how thankful I should be for my mother’s cooking-important

things to understand in life. Living in a country where people speak a

different language, if I got stuck, I was on my own. There were many

days where I simply cried from the loneliness I felt. But these hard

experiences strengthened me.

I am so thankful for my family and friends that supported me, the

teachers at MeySen, and companies that sponsored me so that I could

have this valuable experience and make these wonderful memories.

For all of you who are studying hard in English: studying abroad is a

challenge that requires courage, but it is one that will give you valuable

experiences and be a big turning point in your life.

Ayana Taniyama (Rose)

School’s Year PremierJourney

Summer vacation is a great opportunity to make new friends.

In camps and on trips, it is easy for students to talk to classmates and meet students from other

classes that they haven’t spoken with before. May they make many wonderful memories this summer!

ENGLISH EDITIO

N

No.183SUMMER

2018SUMMER

2018

Cover:

Publication Date: July 13, 2018

Published by

Friends is the MeySen Academy newsletter and publishes the latest news and event announcements for all members of our community, including students, alumni, teachers, and interested friends of MeySen.

Presentation by

Linguistic Expert

MeySen offers special classes in English grammar and exam preparation for students who have completed

Friends Club and Premier Elementary, and want to strengthen these areas. Studying grammar doesn’t sound

like much fun, evoking the image of staring at textbooks and long hours of boring study. But having a strong

grasp of grammar and a robust vocabulary is what forms a solid foundation in English ability. It leads to better

conversational skills, and will of course be useful to these students both in their classes and on their exams.

Junior high students have reported that, thanks to these classes, they are able to participate in their English

class at school without any problems, and that they are getting good scores on their tests. MeySen has also

received some comments from senior high students who took the exam preparation class:

Since its opening in 2015, the Sendai Uminomori Aquarium has attracted

thousands of visitors both young and old, standing as a symbol of restoration

after the devastation of the 2011 Sendai Earthquake and tsunami. MeySen

K5 students visit this aquarium every year as their school field trip. Walking

around the spacious building, children are fascinated as they view the sea

creatures of the Japan Sea and other oceans, as well as excitedly watching

the dolphin and sea lion shows.

On this trip, the aim is for students to not only gain an interest in the sea

creatures, but for them to show good manners in a public place. It is a

useful experience in preparing them so they can participate in other field

trips and activities once they enter elementary school.

Once every semester, MeySen Kindergarten holds a singing activity in the hall.

The aim of this activity is for the children to simply have fun singing together.

The event for the first trimester took place on a beautiful June day; and energetic,

bright, singing voices echoed into the air, mingling with the fresh summer breeze.

In addition to this special activity, students sing many songs daily during

their regular Japanese and English classes. We hope that the parents will use

the MeySen Songbook to sing these same songs together with their children

at home!

At Maruyama campus, students who come by car are

dropped off by their parents at the rotary. This year, MeySen has

enlisted the help of parents to aid in making the drop-off process

smoother, assisting students exiting vehicles and directing traffic

on and off the rotary.

MeySen also asked for volunteers to help with watching the

students as they navigate the Challenge Course, an exercise

activity which MeySen started two years ago as a part of the

kindergarten physical education program. As of the end of June,

twelve parents from the Maruyama campus and ten from the

Takamori campus have volunteered to help.

The parent volunteer work, which started with simple material

preparation, is continuing to expand to different areas, and is

filling a vital support role in MeySen Academy.

Our parent volunteers were surprised to see how far these kindergarten students walk! You can see the course for yourself here. (Japanese only)

KindergartenPhysical Education Challenge Course

Seven students returned from their year of study in America,

which they began in 2017. They were the first ones to be sent out

with help from “A Way We Learn,” receiving support from sponsoring

companies. On July 4, MeySen held an appreciation dinner for these

sponsors, sharing about the students’ experiences in America, their

results, and once again expressing thanks for their support.

On June 14, MeySen Academy, with the help of Miyagi University of Education, welcomed Dr. Jean-Marc

Dewaele, a doctor in linguistics, who presented on the joy and purpose of raising multilingual children.

It was an opportunity to confirm and learn the many benefits of experiencing multiple languages from

infancy, as it “deepens an understanding for foreign cultures,

brings a great advantage in future education and career,” and,

“makes it easier to learn other foreign languages.”

He also compared parents to gardeners tending plants,

saying that good gardeners encourage growth in lin-

guistic aspects, but that the natural ability that children

are born with, as well as changes in the soil, water, and

environment, also affect that growth. The audience nod-

ded in agreement as they listened to his presentation.

K5 Field Tripto the Aquarium

~ Meeting Sea Creatures ~

Kindergarten students experience the fun of freely expressing themselves in song

Volunteer work by Parents expands

Seven Students Return From Long-term America Study AbroadSix more students have embarked on their study abroad experience with help from “A Way We Learn” and sponsoring companies this year

I went to America for a year during my second year in high school, and I also took the exam preparation class for two years in order to work on grammar. People think that those of us who studied abroad can score 100% on English tests, but that is not the case. My English ability improved because of my opportunity to communicate with others in English when I lived abroad, but I was not always using correct grammar. Even though I could complete the reading portion of tests faster than others, I had to learn things that I lacked in grammar, and correct some bad habits that I had developed.

In MeySen’s grammar class, I was able to learn the prin-ciples and rules of English grammar, beginning with the ba-sics. Thanks to this class, I got my highest score ever on the official exam.

Takashi Oba (Kurt)Maruyama Friends Club, 38th Graduating Class (2010)

I decided to take the English grammar class not just to im-prove my English, but also because it was another opportuni-ty to go to MeySen—I love MeySen! After the class started, I soon discovered that studying English grammar can be fun. The teachers made a point to take time to thoroughly explain areas that often appear in tests, and I also improved my speed at answering questions.

Being together with friends that I had grown up with and who inspired me, and having a class that I could actively and confi-dently participate in, I gained an unforgettable life experience. I would definitely recommend this English grammar class to other students so they can have this experience as well.

Kozue Tokita (Stacey)

Takamori Friends Club, 39th Graduating Class (2011)

As I met people from different cultural and religious back-grounds this past year, I experienced some difficult things that I would not have experienced in Japan. But through these difficulties, I learned to see Japan in a more objective way, and also experienced personal growth.

I have clarity about what I want to study and what I want to do in life. I would like to become a person who can teach the enjoyment of connection as I learn the methods of learning English as a communication tool, because I think English abil-ity will be increasingly important in the future. This studying abroad experience has been very meaningful for both myself and the future of Japan.

Chiune Habu (Matthew)Takamori Friends Club, 40th Graduating Class (2012)

English Grammar and Exam Prep Classes for Junior high and High School Students

Friends Club 4th Grade・Bandai Trip

Friends Club 5th Grade ・ Aichi/Kansai Study Trip

Waving goodbye from the ferry as it casts off.

Waving goodbye from the ferry as it casts off

Dr. ean-MarcJDewaele

No.183