A Picture Paints a Thousand Words

Beloved,

Another day has passed and we again are so thankful for your ongoing prayers for us.  We have a sense of what the Philippian Church felt when the Apostle Paul wrote them saying,  "I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the Gospel from the first day until now."  Thank you, dear ones, for remembering us.

In our morning devotionals, Pastor Nakada has been sharing from the book of Acts, chapter 9, verse 10 and following.  It tells about the time that Saul was converted to follow Jesus, and how Ananias, fearful as he was about this persecutor of his fellow brothers in Christ, was told by the Lord to go and meet Saul.  What did Ananias do?  He just went, not knowing exactly what he was to do.   Sensei thanked us for coming to Sendai, just as Ananias went to Damascus, under the prayers of many.  Thank you.

Sensei and Kimiko and their family have been in Sendai for almost 4 years.  Prior to coming here, he and his family ministered for 19 years in Akita which is located in the very northern part of Honshu where the membership of his church was smaller than the dozen he has here in Sendai.  Such faithfulness.  He is a "super" handyman who can fix anything, and is a master gardener which was his trade before entering the pastoral ministry.  All of the vegetables that we eat are from his garden.  Beautiful, fresh and big.  Please pray for them and their members.

I forgot to mention yesterday that we almost lost 2 of our members.  Kumi and Kazue went for an early morning walk (and I mean early) and just before we sat down for devotions, Sensei received a call from Kazue that they were out there somewhere and did not know where.   Well Sensei went to their rescue and now has "fire rescue" among his list of skills.

Here are pictures of what we did on Saturday.  As you view each picture, we trust that you will find yourselves ministering with us here in Sendai.  Enjoy, reflect, smile and pray.  The Lord bless each of you.

Arigato Gozaimasu, 

Your Sendai Team

 This is where the men live.  This community center is located a few houses 

  down the street from the church.  We sleep in a tatami room which is very 

  comfortable despite Stan's snoring every night.  The women are housed

  at the church

    This a picture of one of two groups of children that Sensei ministers to.  

     It's called "Kids Brown" which is a basic lesson in English that can be taught 

     by anyone.  We were there to help the kids with their pronunciation.   Real

     fun!   There were a total of 12 kids in attendance today and it is Sensei's hope 

     that they will find Jesus.  More prayers for you, beloved.  Thank you. 

 "My name is Tyler.  What's your name?"

                   The church "entertained" us in the afternoon with 

                   members and friends who presented some of the Japan's 

                   culture to their Nikkei friends from America.   Their dances 

                   were beautiful and we learned so much about the meaning 

                   of arranging flowers through "ikebana".  Thank you, Sendai church.

We hope you're impressed with our creations.

Diane and Willie shared their testimonies

                                                                                                                                                                                                            

                                                                        

  

We ended the evening at Kinuko Sasaki's home for dinner.  She's sitting to the left of Fumi.  Before eating, we sang worship songs and Jonathan and Kazue shared their testimonies.  It was a very sweet moment.  Then the food started to come.  We have never seen so much food in one place at one time for such a few.  Kinuko mentioned that this is the first time she had so many guests to her home.   Please google the word, "Omotenashi" - and you'll begin to understand what true hospitality is.  Sasaki-san demonstrated omotenashi - a really beautiful thing to receive.  We were blessed.

Sorry, no pictures of us at the onsen - it's restricted.  It was so late by the time we go there that some of us fell asleep in the warm water.  Some of us meaning Tetsuo.