Albert and Lilika

Alumni: Returned to Albania in 1998.

Andy

Alumni: After teaching English, Andy returned to study Nihongo.

Anita

Current: One of the Bunkyo faithful who can relate to Della's Canadianisms.

Ardythe

Alumni: The only member of the fellowship to have been on safari. She also should get credit for being Junpei's HS English teacher. Now she's back in NYC working at an add agency.

Arlene

Alumni: Did what so many before her have done...looked forward to going home, only to do so and realize how much you miss Fukui and Bunkyo.

Aslaug

Current: Singing and baking missionary from Norway. She has a special place in her heart for curry.

Bill

Alumni: (from a submission...thanks!!!) Refused entry THREE times to the US to teach at a Christian School in Elgin, IL. I am now working at the International Christian School in Songtan, Korea.Surrounded by Americans and English. No culture shock to speak of.

Chemene

Alumni: After returning to the States, she landed a job with Boston University's MBA programme. One of the perks is an extended trip to Kobe each year so she can stop in and visit.

Della

Current: Aside from making a mean pot of curry, which is only one of the amazing dishes she makes for the cafe. If you ever make it to Fukui, I strongly recommend cake #181! She is also the secretary who always manages to get hit with something when helping out with the latest renovations.

Dervil Keohane

Alumni: (from a submission...thanks!!!) Mukashi, mukashi, was a regular visitor!!! Now living in the west of Ireland, Galway, running a bookshop. I suppose there isn't a huge amount of difference between the west of Japan and the west of Ireland (probably why I fitted in so easily there!!

Donna

Alumni: After returning to Northern Ireland, rumour has it that she has found a way to be every busier that she was in Japan. Her acting and singing will be sorely missed.

Geovanna and Guillermo "Memo"

Alumni: This couple does everything: carpentry, bread baking, HTML, teaching Spanish, English party club, and even plastic polymer synthesis. They returned to Costa Rica in March. I confess I'm still not used to the idea of "Professor Jimenez" and am more inclined to think of Memo as that crazy guy who helped me chainsaw in the middle of winter. They're waiting on a 'blessing' from the Lord which is expected in February!!!

The Hitzer Family

Current: Eckhard, Eriko, and Isaiah Hitzer are some of the newest members in Bunkyo. Originally from Germany, Eckhard is a math and science professor at Fukui Univ. His son Isaiah may only be 16months old, but he already has quite the crowd of women fighting over him.

Jarris

Alumni: This pillar of our fellowship made the trek from Kanazawa City to be with us. If she comes to visit again, it will be with her husband, Rob. Congratulations Jarris!!!

Jo & Derek

Alumni: Last seen at Regent College in Vancouver with Derek muttering away in Greek while Jo was digging through a pile of papers for her next assignment. Jo is now working at the International Students office (surprise, surprise...) and Derek is a TA for a missionology professor. (another big surprise...)

Jayne

Alumni: Returned home, relaxing and seeking the Lord on what to do next.

Joseph

Alumni: After a serious accident, Joseph headed back to the States earlier than expected. His recovery has been long, but he is doing well and hoping for a full recovery.

Jumpei

Alumni: Off in Tokyo at university. We miss him but at least Ray gets to hang with him from time to time.

Koizumi-sensei

Current: Just like Gilligan, we've got a professor too! Seriously though, he's a great guy and a wonderful part of the fellowship.

Laura

Current: Having upgraded her computer...(Ray loved to pick on her laptop with dual diskette drives), she's now become quite the guru, producing documents Bill Gates never dreamed of. Laura makes the trip from a neighboring prefecture every month to work with the party club...In my book she gets an A+ for munchkin crowd control.

Liz F.

Alumni: After dabbling in New Zealand politics, she headed to Bunkyo Univ., err, I mean Regent College. Must be all that J.I. Packer we read...

Liz H.

Alumni: Our resident cookie monster has returned to the States (to seek bigger and better cookies?) Liz also grew one of the first Bunkyo gardens. Everything may have grown a bit "wild", but the results were delicious. Now she's tending classrooms full of wild kids and braving tornados.

Lois

Alumni: Last seen running out the door to catch a taxi for Sendai. Lois has promised this is her last year in Japan... (I think a few of the alumni have heard that before :)

Melisa

Alumni: Whether its bible study or volleyball, she's into it. Melisa has recently returned to Brazil.

Michelle

Alumni: Our future lawyer, Michelle is back in Michigan studying to get her degree.

Olaug

Current: Painting story-teller from Norway. Ray and Olaug not only share similar last names, but also a love for making something out of nothing. If you think you can use it some day, why throw it out???

Onoyama-san

Current: Midori-chan, Manu, and her are inseparable.

Ramsey & Yoko

Alumni: They're returned to the UK with their baby girl.

Ray

Alumni: This is me...I'm the person to blame for this monstronsity and the cause of Memo's affair with the internet. After a few months back in the States, I'm back working in the IT group for an investment bank in Tokyo. My mission field may have changed, but the challenge to serve the Lord with all my heart, mind, and strength remains the same.

Sean

Alumni: After three years of being deprived of country music, Sean went back to the States and bought a place near New Orleans. He is currently waiting on the Lord to show him what to do next.

Selina

Alumni: Another one of our long distance commuters. Selina has a wild accent to compliment her "wild" personality, but has returned home (where no one can make fun of her accent).

Sharon

Alumni: Last seen trying to use a cafe table for Taiko, she has returned to New Zealand after a brief time in Niigata.

Svetoslav Icherenski

Alumni: (from a submission...thanks!!!) My sister Magdalena and I are from Bulgaria, a small country on Balkans, SE Europe. We had the pleasure of being members of BGC in Fukui in the early 90-ties for some 2-3 years. We loved be among friends there and enjoyed very much this wonderfull Lord-spirited community. Still feeling like members of it with finest memories about the people, dogs and happenings... I was (and I am) specifically close friend of the dogs I used to walk: Tinka, Raya and Manu.

Tim

Alumni: After finishing a degree in Environmental Economics, Tim did what any grad student would do...elected to go back to school for another degree. Now Tim is going to add Computer Science to his already impressive resume. Although his studies have changed, he's still located in Colorado.

1999 Ray Hanson. All rights reserved.