Tag: Tokyo

JOEE Pumpkin Fundraiser!

Welcome to October and harvest time! We have lots of homegrown organic pumpkins available now. Every pumpkin purchase is a direct donation to JOEE and the work that we do with children growing up in orphanages in Japan. If you would like to buy a pumpkin, click on the “Pumpkin Order Form” link below:

10月を迎え、収穫の季節がやってきました！JOEEでは自家栽培の有機パンプキンを多数ご用意しております。パンプキンをご購入いただくたびに、その収益は直接JOEEへ寄付され、日本の児童養護施設で育つ子どもたちへの支援活動に充てられます。パンプキンをご購入希望の方は、こちらのリンクをクリックしてください：

Pumpkin Order Form – パンプキン注文書

On the Google Form listed above, you can reserve a pumpkin and name your pick-up date and location. Pumpkins can also be mailed to you, but the cost of postage will be extra. If you would like to simply donate via credit card to JOEE, please use the button labeled “DONATE” at the left. If you would like to make a Japan Postal transfer, the directions are listed below:

上記のGoogleフォームにて、カボチャの予約と受け取り日時・場所の指定が可能です。 パンプキンは郵送も承りますが、送料は別途かかります。JOEEへのクレジットカードによる寄付のみをご希望の場合は、左側の「DONATE」ボタンをご利用ください。日本郵便振込をご希望の場合は、下記の手順に従ってください：

  • You can donate directly to the JOEE Japan Postal Account:
    Name: ジョーイー　（JOEE)
    JP Branch Kanji: 〇一八
    JP Branch: #018
    JP Account: #10100-89960791
    Account Type: Ordinary (Fustuu)
  • 寄付を希望される場合は、以下の情報をご覧ください。
    寄附金の振込口座
    ゆうちょ銀行からの場合
    ［店名］〇一八(読みゼロイチハチ)
    ［口座番号］10100-89960791
    他金融機関からの場合
    ［店名］〇一八（読み ゼロイチハチ］
    ［店番］018
    ［預金項目］普通預金
    ［口座番号］8996079

Thank you very much! May you have a Happy Halloween and an awesome autumn!

どうもありがとうございます！素敵なハロウィンと素晴らしい秋をお過ごしください！

A Lesson at St. Joseph’s

2019.07.03

Prior to the start of the summer of 2019, Ruth, Hiroko and I were able to schedule a lesson at St. Joseph’s Orphanage which would be open to preschool, kindergarten and lower grade elementary school children.  Armed with puppets, picture books, snacks, and prayer we waited expectantly for the kids to arrive. The staff there would like the program to be open to whomever would like to attend, so we weren’t sure how many children or what ages would participate.

Statue of Saint Joseph at the Children’s Home

At first, two elementary-age girls arrived.  It was lovely to meet them, but they left giggling at our silly dancing and opening song.  The clock was ticking our lesson minutes away, but finally, slightly damp and smelling of soap bubbles, a nice group of kindergarten-age children and their caretakers arrived!  Little feet carried them into the room and we began the “ball” lesson.

Ruth was the main teacher and led the lesson with her gentle grace and sweet voice.  Lots of giggles, happy faces, and great participation followed. Hiroko and I sat with warm children in our laps, little hands holding our own.  One boy in particular kept coming to my lap and seemed to really enjoy being with me. I prayed for him and all of his friends quietly in my heart as we all practiced “ball” and Ruth passed out animal shaped cookies.  “Please!” “Thank you!” Little voices filled the air with English. We acted out a story using puppets and sound effects, and I was able to reprise my role as “the snake” for “Can I Play Too?”

At the end of the lesson, we thanked the orphanage director for her hospitality.  We are praying that she will be happy with our program and invite us back.

— Raku