きょうかい

This is definitely my favorite part of this little place called Fukuoka. きょうかい (kyoukai) means church. I can't explain Fukuoka International Church in words. But I'll try now: welcoming, friendly, inviting, hilarious, life-changing, cheerful, comfortable, delightful, encouraging, entertaining, sincere, warm, wonderful, home.
I laughed harder today than I have in months. I can always look to Sundays to brighten my week.
Today, for example, was particularly impacting.
Church is not merely people trying to play upbeat music, nor  a person standing in front trying to make the Bible sound interesting. I feel as though atmosphere in church is almost as important as a message that's given or songs sung. To be completely honest, I'm not crazy about hymns. But there is a sense of community that seems to circulate in the air when people from all over come together, every week, to praise God using pure Gospel in song form. Church is often mistaken to be a building, but it is truly a connection of believers. And FIC shows that very well.
So today was a pretty average service. We heard a message from Reverend Kimura about why the church exists.
After the church service, we had our little English meeting, which almost has an AA meeting feel to it. What is called a "youth group" at FIC is particularly interesting. It basically consists of people under the age of 30. I find it lovely, because I have always wanted to be around people that are a bit older than me. And being the youngest to really be active in this "youth group", I get picked on a lot. If you aren't aware, sarcasm is barely used here in Japan. Like hardly ever. So the people at FIC that are from/ have lived in the US use it brutally with me. I would say 95% of conversation I have at church is me being made fun of or is soaked in sarcasm. And most would think that this would be disheartening. In fact it's quite the opposite. And now you're probably thinking that I'm a lil' messed up in the head if I enjoy being picked on. Well, I can't completely  argue against that. But it reminds me of home. For me, it's a sign of affection. Most of this so-called "affection" comes from my friends Les and Daichi.
So after I got picked on today in the English meeting, it was time for lunch. I sat next to my friend Pat today, who studied Philosophy and often speaks in riddles and reminds me greatly of my friend Emily Coleman in the States. I always enjoy talking to him, even when he never ceases to complain about some things I'm actually quite fond of.
So lunch somehow got us to the conversation about English phrases such as "Howdy"and "'Sup homie". Not to mention talking about children's admiration for finding good sticks, playing in boxes, and Daichi's first love, Maia the "Gold Digger".  Many laughs were shared. I also ended up juggling みかん (mandarin oranges) with Daichi and Sanggi Lee. We're so mature.
Somehow we all got roped into practicing singing hymns upstairs. We sang "It is Well With My Soul" and some song about Danny Boy. Needless to say everyone who could speak English fluently were giggling the entire time with the Danny Boy song, considering it had nothing to do with God, or really anything for that matter.
Usually, I go to a きっさてん (coffee shop) with people after church, but today my host family picked me up before I had 
the chance to go. I really wanted to, but its hard to explain sometimes.
I GOT THREE HUGS TODAY: DAICHI, LES, AND SANNGI LEE! XD

Basically, if you happen to go to FIC and read this, know that you are making an impact on my life, and that I care for you deeply. You are making a difference in someone's life whether you know it or not. You make me smile, thank you for accepting me. I wish I could see you all more often. You all make me not want to ever leave.