Christian Academy in Japan

together in

COMMUNIT Y

Fall 2022

Message from

Head of School
Welcome to a new edition of CAJ Chronicle! The theme of this edition,

C H R O N I C L E
EditorDonna Lewis
Photo Editor
Linnea McGlothlin

and indeed of our school year, is “Together in Community”. We are
all aware of how much communities have been disrupted in recent
times and it is now our job to rebuild our
CAJ community, restoring much of what
was lost and creating new ways to liveout our mission together. Community
doesn’t just happen but requires aneffort, and in this edition of the Chronicle
you will read how different members of

Photo Contributors
Ximena Cisneros

our CAJ community are making an effort
to bring us all closer together.

Christine Iijima

My wife Susan and I are new to CAJ, andAshley Nakamura

we have personally experienced being

Ranaye Prevattwarmly welcomed into this community.

Nate Rudd
Victor Yang

So many have done so much to help us, and a community of people
who are part of God’s family is a special place to belong. We are glad
to be here! But the CAJ community extends beyond those who comehere every day; it also includes parents and grandparents, alumni,

Graphic Design
Juliana Barker

and other supporters of the school. My prayer is that all of us who
have a connection to CAJ will work to build one another up as we liveout our school’s mission, together in community.

Christian Academy in Japan
1-2-14 Shinkawa-cho
Higashi Kurume-shi

David Mawhinney | Head of School

Tokyo, Japan 203-0013+81–42–471–0022
www.caj.ac.jp

INSIDE THIS ISSUE
4 | Community in Kindergarten
6 | Together in Community
10 | Robotics Club
12 | Human Resources: Going Above and Beyond
16 | Parents Connecting Through Prayer
18 | Community Celebration
20 | Middle School Drama Festival
23 | Alumni Updates
3

LIVING IN COMMUNITY
4

COMMUNITY

As many of our parents of kindergarteners
are new to the CAJ community, we also wantthem to feel connected and that our school isa family community as well. In kindergarten
we do this by asking each parent for information about their child so we can get to know
them better. This includes how a child getsto school so we know which kids come bytrain or car and may be impacted by trafficinor congestion. We also ask about their child’s
strengths so we can build on those andkindergarten
CHRISTINE IIJIMA | Kindergarten Teacher

engage their background knowledge. For
Meet and Greet Day, we asked each parent
to introduce themselves and invited them to
the Fall Festival and PiP (Parents in Prayer).
Having this time to meet each other is how
they are beginning to connect. As a mom
who sent her children to the local schools
without knowing much of the language, I
can appreciate the many questions thatsome may have for our American curric-Inkindergarten, there is much to learn with our youngest
students. Learning to sit at a table or together on the
carpet without bumping into each other are big learning skills.

ulum and unique international environment.
I often ask what questions they may haveabout our class and our school. These families and sweet children now belong to ourclass family.

At the beginning of the year, we take timearea during one rainy indoor recess, too

For five and six year olds, continual prac-

to talk about what it means to be a classmany friends were in one spot. I asked

tice of routines and behaviors is essential

family. We do this by reading books like Be

one child to change to the other play area

in learning and applying them. So all year

Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller and Our Class iswhere it was not so crowded. She dragged

long

my co-teacher Haruka Akashi and I

a Family by Sharon Olsen, having discus- her feet. Then another child spoke up andsions, and using vocabulary to encourage said, “I will go to the other area because I

and being in community. Almost daily wewant to show kindness.” Of course, I was

make references such as “our classmates arethrilled that she quickly applied what wepart of our class family; please be kind,” andhad just talked about and could move tomodel what it looks like. For some of theseanother play area willingly. What a great

little ones, they will be in school with eachexample of showing kindness so the firstother for many years to come. Learning how

child could stay in the place she really

to appreciate each other’s differences andhelping kids go to the nurse and telling

wanted to play. Not all moments are so

enjoy each classmate is not always easy, so

the teacher.” Sorato shared that saying,smooth in kindergarten; learning to getmodeling and training our youngest friends“Let’s play together,” was how he shows

along with others is very challenging

to be willing to share and take care of eachkindness. When the children chose a playsometimes!

other pleases our Creator.

treating each other with respect. To bea family means taking responsibility forour actions, working together, playing
together and sharing physical space.
When students were asked what showing
kindness meant to them, Ellie said, “It is

will emphasize the value of our class family

5

LIVING IN COMMUNITY
6

TOGETHER in community
DAVID MAWHINNEY
Head of School

S

community that we grow and mature
into the people God created us to be.
Community is important, but the best

ometimes it is only whensomething is taken away from usthat we realize its value. When it

is gone, we no longer take it for granted

and we miss it. So it has been for manyof us during these COVID times when it
comes to being in community. We wentfrom spending time in school, at work, andwith friends, to being in isolation, learning
online, and living virtual lives. We weren’t
able to be together and we soon saw thenegative impact it had on us. Maybe it took

COVID to remind us all just how important
community is.

but have God in their midst. God’s triune
nature reminds us how central community is to His character and it is not an
accident that we humans have the desire
for community within us. We need to
be with others—we need one another’s
help, support, and encouragement. But
we also need to be with God—He is ourlight, our strength, our song. CAJ is a
Christ-centered community and here we
get to know and work with God’s people
and God Himself. We have a God-given
purpose and with God at the heart ofour community we can better know theCommunity is certainly
importantcommunities include not only people

for

CAJ.

Indeed, one of our corevalues is, “God createdhumans for community.”

God createdhumans forcommunity.

One of the reasons weneed to be together is because students
learn more effectively in the company ofothers rather than on their own, whether

heart of God for our community.
Of course, it’s possible for a group ofpeople to be together in the same placeat the same time but to remain separate
and disconnected from one another. Just
being around other people doesn’t makea community, as any visit to a busy Tokyo
train station will make clear. Here at CAJ
wein the classroom, in informal study groups,
or in conversations with teachers. Students
develop in different areas of their lives as
they participate in athletics, the arts, andclub activities. And while growth in our
minds is important, growth in our characters is even more important, and it isas we relate to others and participate in

Being incommunity isa call to action.

intentionally

togetherincomecommunitywith a shared commitment
to God, to the vision of theschool, and to one another.
Being in community is acall to action, as who weare and what we do changes because weshare life with one another.

7

God has a lot to say about how weshould be together in community. He
calls us to love one another (John13:34), to serve one another(Galatians 5:13), to care for

God has a lot
to say about
how we should
be together incommunity.

one another (1 Corinthians
12:25), to build one anotherup (Romans 14:19), and tohonor one another above
ourselves(Romans

12:10).

He tells us to teach one
another (Colossians 3:16), toencourage one another (1Thessalonians 5:11), to be patient with
one another (Ephesians 4:2), to forgive
one another (Colossians 3:13), and to

Hidden in the word
community is theword unity.

pray for one another (James 5:16).
Words are not enough; we must love one
another with actions and in truth (1 John
3:18). Creating community is not easy anddoes not happen by accident. It requires
purposeful and diligent work, much of iton an individual level.
All in the community benefit personallyas its members treat one another inthese kinds of ways, but the impact of thissort of community reaches beyond thecommunity itself to the world beyond. As
we love one another, everyone will knowthat we are followers of Jesus (John 13:35).
As we love one another we will become
one, and as we become one the world

to understand the power of a Christ-centered community living out together God’s calling on

will know that God sent Jesus and that

how we are to treat one another, not only for our own sake but for the impact it can have on

God loves us (John 17:23). Hidden in thethe world around us. This applies not only to our students but to the rest of us too.

word “community” is the word “unity”
and there is great power to change theworld and advance the Kingdom of God
when there is unity in community.
The vision of CAJ is to equip students toserve Japan and the world for Christ. Partof this equipping is for all our students

8

The COVID era disrupted much of our ability to come together but at CAJ we are determined
to build up our community among all groups — students, teachers, administrative staff, families,
alumni, volunteers, supporters, and others. The welcome that my wife Susan and I have received
at CAJ is just one example proving that community is a core part of who we are, what we havebeen, and what we aspire to, and we don’t want to settle for anything less than all God has for us.
It will require lots of “one anothering” from all of us but the payoff will be tremendous. Thanks be
to God that at CAJ we can be together in community.

9

W

LIVING IN COMMUNITY

hen we think about community, some people will think about events such as Fall

10

Festival & Bazaar (formerly Thrift Shop) and Meet and Greet Day (formerly Back to
School Day). These are chances for both students and parents to come together

on campus in a relaxed atmosphere and fellowship together. These events are important,

ROBOTICS

club

especially after COVID, but they are not the only sources of community at CAJ.

The robotics club provides a different sort ofcompetition is designed so that teams need

community. CAJ’s robotics team is a different

to interact with other teams, both from CAJ

kind of co-curricular activity. Unlike most sports

and from other schools at the competition, towhich have only one season, students on theplay the most strategic game possible.

robotics team can participate for one, two or
all three seasons if they like. Students in robotics are divided into smaller teams that design,build and program a robot to do a specific task
based on the current year’s competition.

If the team does well enough (and CAJ’s
teams consistently have) they can qualify for
the VEX Robotics World Championship in
the US. Now that things are opening up after
COVID, the team is looking forward to being

The students build community at several

able to compete in the US again. This is nodifferent levels. The first level is working as

inexpensive proposition, however. In order toa part of a team, where each member has

make it to the competition, the CAJ commu-

a specialized job such as captain, designer,

nity will need to come together to have fund-builder, programmer or driver. The game israisers and collect donations to make thisnot just played by individuals, however. The

dream a reality.

For more information on the robotics team, you can email Matt Lindsey (mlindsey@caj.ac.jp).

TERENCE VAN DAM
Middle School Teacher | Middle School Robotics Coordinator

11

LIVING IN COMMUNITY
12

human
resources

GOING ABOVE

AND BEYONDDONNA LEWIS | Chronicle EditorW

hen you imagine the humanresources department working
in a busy school, what do you

think of? Hiring, interviewing, contracts andsalaries all come to my mind. But, as well as
all those important functions, here at CAJ,
you may just find the HR department busy
hanging curtains, choosing furniture or
sitting with a staff member at the hospitalor the city office.
I remember very clearly our first talk with Pam
Kumate, the HR Manager, after my husband
had been offered a job as Business Manager of
CAJ. We were trying to get our heads aroundmoving from Australia to Japan, and my head
was full of questions. How would we find ahouse? What furniture could I do without,as shipping was going to be very expensive?
Should I buy furniture in Japan instead? Whatshould I do about bank accounts? The questions were many, but as the chat progressed, Irealised that none of this was going to be left forme to flounder around with, and that HR had
our backs in every area of the move.
For the HR department at CAJ, an offer of
employment is only the beginning. Then begins
the busy task of moving the prospective staff
member to Japan. First, visas. These have to beobtained early, and require a lot of paperwork,and a lot of time spent at the immigration
office. Everybody who comes to work at CAJ has
different needs, different family circumstancesand different housing requirements, so findinga suitable house is a complex task that HR takes
on, working with several real estate agents to findthe perfect accommodation. It’s not always easy!
Once a house is found, it is equipped with all
the necessary furniture and appliances, andthen, when it’s nearly time to move in, HR
comes in and makes the house a home. From
food in the refrigerator to freshly made beds,
the feeling of welcome is overwhelming, andtangible. And for very tired bodies, it’s such a
relief to be able to fall into bed, and let tomorrow13

deal with itself, knowing there’s breakfast in the housealready. New staff are picked up from the airport, so thefirst face they see in their new country is a friendly one.
Why go to all this trouble? According to the HR staff I
interviewed, the intention is that the love and sense ofcommunity should be immediately tangible to newhires. They are not just accepting a job, they are being
welcomed into the CAJ community as a whole family.
Small children get special care, and even a soft toy
waiting for them in their new home.

One of the fun parts ofworking in HR is meeting
everybody first. I love looking forhomes for our staff members.

The care that is taken to ensure that staff are made tofeel like welcome members of our community is meticulous and far reaching.
What about the members of the community thatare not new? The care doesn’t stop once staff arrive.
Circumstances change, people get sick, and surprising
things happen, and staff are often a long way from homeand family support. This is where HR kicks in, and once
again provides support as required. Some examples ofthis might be:• Staff getting married and needing to change

accommodation to meet their new circumstances.

• Staff members (or their spouses) might need

We loveour staff
and wedon’t wantthem toget caught
in thesystem.

~Naoko Sawada~YukikoIsakasupport through a pregnancy or illness. The
hospital system can be confusing in a new country.

• Official documents. Many of the things that were
set up with HR’s help will need renewing or
updating. HR keeps a record of, and reminds staff
members about renewals of their visas and passports, insurance, licenses, and health insurance.
The care continues even after staff leave CAJ. HR makes
sure staff, their families and their belongings get safely tothe airport, and that any remaining paperwork is tidied
up after they leave. CAJ has a city tax prepayment system
which helps staff to exit without surprises.
One thing that was very apparent to me as I interviewed
for this article is that the HR department is very intentional about creating, welcoming into, and supportingthe community at CAJ. Much of this work goes unnoticed, but it is a vital part of having a strong group of staff
who are able and ready to serve the students.

14

The daily joy for HR is smoothing
the way for staff to work at CAJ andlive in Japan without distraction; thedaily challenge is keeping abreastof Japanese labour and welfare
law, keeping CAJ in compliance andapplying improvements to employment
at CAJ. It’s certainly never dull!
~Pam Kumate
15

prayer

LIVING IN COMMUNITY

PARENTS CONNECTING THROUGH

16

TIM CLARK | Parent, 6th grade PIP co-leader

Parents who join report many blessings through their involvement such as:

•
•

•

•

•

Seeing prayers answered.
One mom recently shared that she is seeing requests that she has
prayed with others answered more quickly than when she prays privately.
Meeting parents that they would not otherwise meet.
One of this year’s new moms said that through CP&W she could meetparents of students in the higher grades, “people I was not likely to meetsince they don’t come to pick up their kids.” Another appreciates theperspective she gets from meeting these parents; “It’s so helpful to meetparents with older children who have gone before us.”
Mutual encouragement through shared experience.
“PIP is the place we can openly share concerns like our children
making friends, academic progress, dealing with other temperaments,
etcetera. We can realize that many problems are common, and canfeel a bit of relief.”
Connections even when connecting became more difficult.
Amidst the many losses of the pandemic, these prayer meetings played
an extra important role in some parents’ lives; some groups even grew.
“When COVID forced us to go online, we actually had more participants
than usual, because some people can’t travel to school for in-person
meetings,” one leader reported.
The blessing of diverse people uniting their hearts in prayer.
These meetings bring together people from many cultures and religious
perspectives. Non-Christians join. Each participant is welcome to pray
in any language, or silently. One mom says, “I love worshiping bilinguallyand meeting parents from many different countries.” Parents get toexperience that aspect of life that is so normal for their children at thisculturally diverse school.

It’s quite possible that the day you are reading this, CAJ parents are gathering forprayer, growing in relationship as they lift the school’s needs to the Lord.

Behind the scenes and sometimes online, parents are frequently
meeting to pray for CAJ. In fact, over 100 times a year they gather,resulting in about two prayer meetings every three days thestudents are in class. The two main gatherings are:••

PIP (Parents in Prayer)

Each grade has its own monthly meeting.

CP&W (Community Prayer and Worship)

Parents from all grades gather weekly.

These two forums are coordinated by the PTA’s Executive Committee,
and help to cover all aspects of CAJ in prayer: for new students and staff
in their adjustments, safety and health, spiritual and emotional growth,plus wisdom and discernment for all.

LIVING IN COMMUNITY
18

community
CELEBRATIONBRYAN LEWIS | Business Manager

What a joy

it was in May to be able to come together as acommunity to celebrate the official opening of

our new turf field, courts and playgrounds. It was also the first opportunity for many ofour parents to be able to walk through the wonderful learning and community spaces
in our new building. The fact that this was our first major gathering together since thepandemic began was very fitting, as the achievement of these projects truly was acommunity effort. It continues to be a blessing to daily see our students enjoy andbenefit from the new facilities.
A detailed final report for this project, including thanks to all contributors, can be foundin the Giving section of our website.
19

LIVING IN COMMUNITYM I D D LESCHOOL

drama
festival
JAMIE LATH | Teacher LibrarianBravely forging into the unknown, thirteen students
headed off to the KPASS* Middle School Drama Festival. Dueto Covid-19, our students had not been to this festival forthree years and had no idea what to expect.
Split into groups with other middle schoolers from participating
schools, students created a three to five minute play based on atheme and performed it for each other. They had about three hours
total to make this work with the other fifteen students in their group.
“I feel like a Hollywood actor after today,” said sixth grader Samantha.
The professionalism of working with drama teachers and having thechance to act on the stage is not an opportunity our middle school
students often have.
The process required our students to work on skills like voicing theirthoughts while listening to others and compromising. “Everyone
had different ideas,” said Tanvi, a seventh grader. “I really liked all
the different stories.”
The Drama Festival also gave our middle schoolers an opportunity
to get to know students beyond CAJ. “Spending time with students
from other schools was my favorite part,” said Kira, an eighth grader.
“We haven’t gotten to do that much because of Covid.”
Having been through the isolation of this pandemic, it waswonderful to experience things moving back towards normal forour students. Whether it was looking up dances from the 80s fortheir play or simply chatting with a new friend from a different
school, the middle school drama festival gave our students a tasteof the beauty of the arts and increased dramatic skills.
*Kanto Plain Association of Secondary Schools

20

21

Alumni Updates
Brady Carrico | class of 2014

MULTI-CLASS REUNION

Molly Lucia was born in Japan on September 9,2021 to Brady and Isa Carrico. The Carrico Family
lives in Costa Rica.

An "assembly of missionary children" was held in
Belfast, Northern Ireland on July 29, 2022 and fromthat group this photo was taken of CAJ alumni.

Megumi Wilson | class of 2014
In August 2022, Megumi came in as second runner-up
in the Miss Universe Japan competition. She advocatesfor children’s education and empowerment of
women through business.
She currently volunteers
at the anti-human trafficking organization, Not For
Sale Japan. Megumi said,“Ialways dreamed but neverthought I would actually
apply for the Miss Universe
Japan competition. It was areally great opportunity topresent my message, andto use the skills I gained
during my time at CAJ,
such as public speaking,communication
andleadership.
I’m
truly
grateful, and I look forward to working more
in Japan and abroad to further my message.”Contact Megumi on Instagram @megumiwilson or
Facebook Megumi Wilson.
ALL CAJ REUNION | february 24–27, 2023
Seven CAJ Alumni who graduated in the 1970s andearly 80s are planning an All CAJ Reunion. It will beheld Friday, February 24-Monday, February 27, 2023 in
San Diego with organized activities. All Class Alums,
Staff and their Guests are welcome. More than 85
Alumni and Staff are registered. For more information,please see this Google Doc.

back row: Stephen Farrell (77), Annesley Wright (58),
Brooke Mullan (62), David Farrell (72)front row: Eileen Hamilton Farrell (74), Julie Proctor
Hamilton (12), Hannah Beattie Hamilton (09), Ruth
Saunders Mullan (63), Laura Hamilton (05)
REUNION | classes of 1965, 1966, and 1967
As mentioned in the previous issue, the Classes of
1965, 1966, and 1967 gathered in Michigan, June
23-25, 2022.

back row: Joel Bruinooge (65), Gaius Berg (65),
Bruce Metcalf (66), Larry Arnold (67), Deane Hegge(67), Steve Hoke (67), Paul Holritz (67), Charles Ward(husband of Beth)front row: Jill Pape Rieck (67), Martha Foxwell
Berg (66), Kathleen ("Casey") Collins Shelton (65),
Howard Blair, Lorelei Johnson Verlee (68), Karen
Holritz Drake (65), Beth Watson Ward (67)

We would love to hear from you!
Take a few minutes right now — email your update to alumni@caj.ac.jp
22

CAJ Alumni Updates is a forum for updates from alumni, provided as a community service. The inclusion of any piece of alumni
updates is not necessarily an endorsement by CAJ.

23

EQUIPPINGSTUDENTS TO SERVEJAPANAND THE WORLDFOR CHRIST.

www.caj.ac.jp

Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support making our mission possible.

ACCREDITATION
Western Association of Schools and Colleges since 1976
GOVERNMENT STATUS
Gakko Hojin (School)