Departures and Arrivals

Saying good-bye was much more difficult than I expected it would be!  On our last Sunday in Japan, I entered our little church building and was immediately greeted by Midori Dedachi, who wrapped me in a warm hug and in broken English thanked me for our years of service to the Lord and His church in Japan.  From that moment on my eyes were filled with tears.

 Throughout worship that morning I meditated on the goodness of God in leading us to Japan as well as the tremendous work he as called us to.  The illustration given in the morning service of what Japanese Christians are called to do deeply impacted me and confirmed my call to participate in helping them.

At many public swimming pools there are often small whirlpools off to the side.  It is often fun for a group of kids to try changing the direction of the swirling waters.  It can be done but it requires great effort and many people.  This is what Japanese Christians are trying to do in the culture of Japan.  The Japanese Christians are working HARD to change the cultural whirlpool but without more to their numbers the task is overwhelmingly difficult.  This is why our family is there – to add to their numbers and to help them reshape their families, neighborhoods, cities, and country. 

And it was painfully difficult for me to say goodbye to this great, and rewarding work.  I am anxiously awaiting our return!

For now, God has called our family to a new task.  The next year will be spent in the US, visiting family, friends, and churches.  Reminding the body of Christ in America that God’s call to evangelize the lost is to all believers and there are many ways for them to partner with us in the work of redirecting the whirlpool in Japan.

I am happy to be home.  The first 2 months will be spend visiting and catching up with loved ones.  The kids and I are awaiting James’ return on July 16 when we will head North for many family and friend reunions.

Saying Goodbye to my students:

A Day at Cocoa Beach as the Kids and I get some R&R before James returns:

Blogging Break

Please forgive me as I take a few weeks off of blogging updates.  Once again we are knee high in boxes and junk as we prepare to return to the US for a year.  The kids and I will be arriving in Florida on June 25, and James on July 16.  We are looking forward to a great summer of reunions with family and friends.  Can’t wait to see everyone!  Blog updates will resume once I am state-side.  Thanks for you continued support of me, my family and our ministry.

Learning to Dance

“You have turned for me , my mourning into dancing.” (Ps. 30:11)

“We work for your joy, so that you stand firm.” (II Corinthians 1:24)

Park Cities Presbyterian Church in Dallas, TX, sends a short term team every summer.  The team mainly works with the college ministry team to host ”Texas Night”.  They serve tacos, and other traditional Tex-Mex food, they teach line-dancing and other mid-west traditions and finish with a testimony from one of the team members.  The whole event is a lot of fun.

On Sunday we attended Texas Afternoon at Honda Chapel.  Jeneva became very depressed and frustrated when she just could not get the Boot-Scoot-Boogie down.  One of the PCPC team members saw Jeneva with her long face over in the corner, picked her up, stood her on his feet and proceeded to dance the two-step with her.

I watched her face change almost instantly and was reminded of the way Jesus promises to do that very same thing for us.  He sees our long faces and can put our hands in his, our feet on his, and change our mourning to dancing in an instant! 

Annual Talent Night

Every student looks forward to the year-end talent show.  This year was no exception and as usual we were all well entertained.  We had everything from

family acts,

to hip-hop,

to skits (a villager in Stone Soup)

and reinactments (The Water Buffalo Song).

 P.S. Jeneva was in attendance, however, due to a severe cold all that week she was unable to perform.