August 13 - photos, memories & other thoughts

Crafts at the English Conversation class - for adults and children.
The parent of a girl who came to EEC is in the center of the photo.
Aiko-san, a seminary student is next to her in pink.

Dear Friends - It's been one week since the team returned from Japan - it now seems so long ago.  There were some on the team who returned to work the next day - I don't know how they did it.  Tsuguru and Erica are still in Japan and will soon return.  The routine of "pre-mission" life is returning and beginning to feel normal.  It was a great blessing to share mealtime with 15 or more people and to have wonderful conversations and a lot of playfulness to season our meals.  I miss the joy of being with our brothers and sisters of the Chino Christ Church - so very loving, thoughtful and generous.  I miss the excitement of visiting new places and being a tourist - I visited Yokohama for the first time this year.  But most of all I miss the fellowship of the nine team members I spent 15 days with.  It was a great blessing to work alongside of them in serving God and the people of Japan, and to have their love and support while doing so.  It was great to enjoy the laughter of joyfulness and shared good times, and it was also wonderful to shed tears with them as some shared the struggles and pain they've encountered in life recently.  But most of all, I thank God for this opportunity to once again be a member of a mission team.  There were lessons that I hope will stay with me forever and will grow stronger and stronger within me every day.  There are the relationships that were strengthened and will be deep within my heart forever.  But most important was the growth of my trust and faith in God - I do not want that to ever diminish.  So once again, and maybe for the last time with this blog, thank you for your support and prayers for this mission.  Your support impacts us far greater than many of you will ever know.  God bless us.  Don

Our welcome at the Chino train station by members of Chino Christ Church.

Michelle in her "Tako-Girl" outfit for MeBIG - the
Chino Christ Church sunday school program.

This is what happens when men let women dress them.

"Row, row, row your boat..."

The Taisho-koto group performing for us.  Kawano-sensei is still the youngest
member and its only male member.

A group photo of the taisho-koto group and the mission team.

Crazy Hair Day.  You have to make-do when you don't
have any hair.

The ladies who prepared lunch for the campers joining in the singing and dancing.

Tara and Megumi-san, one of the two seminary students helping us out.

The mission team and seminary students.  Who forgot their camp t-shirts? 

Captain Hook - otherwise known as Koby.  A hit with all the
campers and adults.

Monica and Danny teaching the English class in the carport
of the church.

Shizuka and Kaori teaching the Bible lesson.  I don't remember reading about
Moses playing the ukelele while leading the people of Israel out of Egypt.

Two of the girls teaching Kawano-sensei how to make a bracelet during
their craft class.

Erica giving help to a girl during crafts.  "Do as I say, not as I do."

This grandfather came to EEC every day with his two grandsons.  It would
melt your heart to see the younger boy snuggle up in Grandpa's lap.

The Pre-K group during the English class.  Talk about cute...

Danny, Egawa-san & Tsuguru as we began our hike.  It is 4:30AM - why
are these people smiling?

We were almost at the peak when the sun rose over the far-off mountains.

The view from the top.  You can see the clouds enveloping the valley below -
where Chino lies.

Don, Egawa-san & Danny at the peak of Mt. Moliyasan.  

Our day off - a trip to Matsumoto for sightseeing, shopping, and eating.

Michelle taking a photo of the bee larva
she ordered at the restaurant.  It had us all
"buzzing" after we tried it.

Michelle also ordered horsemeat sashimi.  Not
a single negative comment about it.  "Neigh..."

The prayer of millions...the cross rising above Japan.

Kaori, Erica, Tsuguru and Shizuka taking their turns on the taisho-koto.
"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound..."