July 29 - part 2

Dear Friends – It’s 10:30PM Tuesday night – we’ve finished our meeting to begin the EEC tomorrow and there are still six other people still up with last minute preparations.  The EEC (English Experience Camp) is a large focus of our trip to Japan and people want to present an excellent program.
This morning I was watching people come into the sanctuary to get ready for our daily prayer meeting.  Chi-chan gave a greeting to everyone – her laughter is so infectious and pure.  It lifts everyone out of their early morning blues.  She is God’s gift to us.
This morning after breakfast we had a concert by the Taisho-koto group that Kawano-sensei belongs to.  The taisho-koto is a stringed instrument that is a cross between a guitar and piano.  There were 11 members, including Kawano-sensei, that played for us.  They played Japanese tunes as well as Amazing Grace.  After the concert, the mission team members were given an opportunity to try playing the instruments.  It was fun even for us non-musicians.  We then had lunch together.  We sat at 5 different tables, with each table having two team members and two or three taisho-koto players.  It was a lot of fun getting to know a few of the musicians much, much better.  We then had Kaori from our mission team, and Satomi-san from the Chino church give their testimonies.  They were both very good, but I was especially touched by Kaori’s testimony.  I guess I’m always surprised by the struggles and difficulties that people face – thinking that “good people” are immune from them.
We spent the afternoon decorating the church for EEC and getting materials ready for the classes.  It didn’t seem like it was very strenuous work, but people were very tired this evening.  We would covet your prayers for the next three days of EEC – for energy and good health,  wisdom in making decisions, and an abundance of God’s love, mercy and grace - that we might exhibit those same traits.  Thank you and God bless you.  Love, Don