Dear Friends – It’s 11:15PM Sunday night and Shizuka and I are the only ones left up. Shizuka is writing a report back to her church family at South Bay Japanese Christian Fellowship so it can be printed in their Sunday worship program. Today was a full day of activities. We had our prayer meeting at 6:30AM and breakfast at 7AM. After doing our daily chores of washing dishes, sweeping and dry mopping the floor, cleaning the bathrooms, and a few other things, we got ready for the Sunday school program. In the blog from last year’s mission, I wrote about a young woman who led this program with great enthusiasm and love for the children. I heard in a report from their church that she was no longer a member of their church and so I was concerned that this program might lose some of its steam. But what a great surprise it was to see Chihoyo-sensei, the pastor’s wife, lead the children with the same enthusiasm and joy as the previous leader. The mission team has been used to seeing her quiet and demure persona, but what a shock. She was leading the singing while dancing and leading the hand motions that accompany the songs. Michelle then took over to present a message to the kids. She was transformed into “Tako Woman.” Tako is not a Mexican food, but the Japanese word for octopus. She had a hat with the eight arms of the octopus reaching outward. The children loved her character. Ask her to wear it when she comes to church in a couple of weeks.
Next came the worship service at 10:30AM. Tara and Monica gave testimonies telling how God has worked in their lives. Their heartfelt sharing was very moving, telling of how God has shown his mercy, grace and love to them. Daniel gave the message, or “sermon”, for the service. Reverend Daniel gave a great message to the members of Chino Christ Church.
After the service was a potluck luncheon for the members of our Chino mission. We sat in four circles of chairs with 2 or 3 members of the mission team in each circle. It was a great time of renewing friendships and developing new ones. Many of the church members are very brave in using their English speaking skills in talking with us. It’s a good thing because I still don’t know a lick of Japanese that would be useful in polite conversation.
Today was Chihoyo-sensei’s birthday with Chi-chan’s birthday coming up in a few days. We chose to celebrate both mother’s and daughter’s birthdays this evening after returning from the onsen. We sang “Happy Birthday,” presented their gifts and then had cake to eat. The Kawanos live simple lives on the income for Kawano-sensei, so Chi-chan probably does not have the number of toys and gadgets that children in America do. It touched my heart deeply to see the pure joy and appreciation she expressed for the gifts for her 7th birthday. Chi-chan was actually born during the time of our first mission to Chino. The team members through the years have been able to see her transformation from a wee little baby into a young girl. Her sweetness and kindness are clearly a reflection of the love and guidance she receives from her parents. It is easy to see why she is such a joy to be around. I don’t know how old Chihoyo-sensei is, and I have the good sense not to ask. Every year I have come to Chino I have seen more of the talents and gifts that God has given her this to make her a strong partner for Kawano-sensei in serving the church family at Chino Christ Church. After the training session this afternoon for volunteers to the upcoming EEC program, Chihoyo-sensei, Shizuka and I sat in the upstairs room on the floor just talking for at least an hour – the time just flew by. It was the most I’ve been able to share with Chihoyo-sensei in four years because Shizuka was gracious enough to translate for us. It was one of the highlights of the trip, up to this point, for me.
It is very quiet now, as I’m the last person up. It was almost silent until the music started blaring in Danny and Tsuguru’s room…twice. Make that three times now. It seems like it might be someone’s alarm – and the snooze button has been pushed a couple of times. Either Danny or Tsuguru is going to be very mad at the other person tomorrow. The music just came on for the fourth time now. I’m going off to bed now – I hope those two guys get the problem taken care of. God bless you all. Don
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