A Month of Thanks, Days 9, 10, 11

This week I got to spend time with some amazing people at the bi-annual Church Planter's Institute (CPI) near Mt. Fuji-which we only saw from the highway on the way there since it was cloudy and rainy the rest of the time. Anyway, about 400 people gathered to praise God, share church planting and ministry ideas, to pray together and for fellowship. Two of the main speakers are Japanese pastors from the tsunami/nuclear disaster areas. Many others who have volunteered in the disaster areas also shared about their experiences. It was a time of hope and excitement for what God is doing and going to do as Japan rebuilds and discovers a new normal. It was a time of refreshment and renewal. It was also a time of reconnecting and meeting new people. I am thankful for the way God is working in Japan, in church leaders' hearts, and in me. Thank you, Lord!

I didn't take any pictures this time, but have some pictures of some of the people I saw there...

I saw Darlene and Iris' husband, Carsten.


I rode with Doris and Yuri and saw Barb there. Unfortunately, Nan couldn't attend since she is packing for retirement (sad face).



I, of course, saw Ron and Joan Stoller!


I saw Becky! :)


I even saw Nishioka sensei!


I saw many other people but don't have pictures-or can't find pictures- of them.

A Month of Thanks, Day 8

Today I am thankful for the postal services. In Japan, the post office is not only a place to send mail and packages, it is also a bank and a place to pay bills. If I understand the information correctly, I can also get insurance there.

Not far from my apartment is the Izumi City main post office, about a 10 minute walk. But, a five minute walk away is a branch post office. I am really thankful for this branch office. The people there are so nice. They understand my interesting Japanese, help me find the cheapest or fastest or whatever way for me to send packages. They helped me set up direct bill pay from my account when I first moved here. They patiently wait while I write painstakingly slowly.

I don't even know any of their names and if I see them outside of the post office it takes me a few minutes to know why I know that face! I am really thankful for their friendliness and helpfulness!

A Month for Thanks, Day 7

Sabbath. A word we read in the Bible, a word we hear talked about by pastors, Bible teachers and spiritual directors. We don't really know what it means, how we 'keep' it.

I am still learning what this means, too. I read an excellent book about it: "The Rest of God" by Mark Buchanan. Check it out for yourself :)

I am thankful that God provided Sabbath. I am pretty sure He doesn't really need a day of rest. But, it is wonderful that He set an example for us. As I prepare to sleep at the end of this Sabbath, I feel refreshed and ready to meet the rest of my week. I have discovered this is one of the many benefits of keeping the Sabbath.

A month for Thanks Day 6

This morning I attended Kongo Bible Church. At our church we have an afternoon worship service. But, once a month, I attend the Kongo church and fellowship with my brothers and sisters there. When I returned from my first home assignment in 2006, I attended, helped and learned there. Then, the following year when Woykes went on home assignment, Paul Ewing and I had the privilege of working there.

At the Kongo church I have learned much about big hearts serving God with all they have. I have learned much about patience, commitment, and faithfulness. Oh, and food! Great potlucks here!:)

When we started Komyo Christian Church, the congregation at Kongo Bible Church committed to pray for us and several members even committed to coming to our worship services as often as they can. Oh, what an encouragement they have been! Their prayers and presence have meant more to me than I can express in words.

Lord, thank you for Kongo Bible Church, for the blessing they have been in my life!

A month for Thanks Day 5

Today began with me feeling rested. Ten hours of sleep helped the cold I talked about yesterday! It also began with a beautiful sky. I was glad I had taken this picture when I did because 5 minutes later when I returned to my living room, the sky was clouded over.

Today was our annual AGC concert. (AGC=Anointed Gospel Choir) We had some new people join today and saw some former members in the audience. A wonderful group from a local group home came as well as friends and family members. We had a wonderful time singing praises!

Getting ready...





Rehearsal...







Dinner...




Dessert...

A month for Thanks

As I write this it is 8:18 on Friday night and I am about to go to bed. This rarely happens. I am not a night owl, but I do not usually go to bed before 11PM either. However, I am fighting a cold and we have a gospel choir concert tomorrow. So, these two facts are sending me to bed early tonight.

But, before I go to sleep, I wanted to say that I am thankful for my immune system. Even though I've caught a cold, my body is working hard to get rid of it. This can be proven by the mounds of tissues in my wastebasket. (I decided not to post any pictures tonight, I don't want to gross anyone out!)

I am thankful that when God designed our bodies He thought to make us fighters. He provided us with a way for our bodies to fight off diseases. I am also thankful that He made people smart enough to come up with medicines that help our bodies fight off diseases.

'Night!

A month for Thanks

We are only three days into November and I am remembering why I love this discipline of gratitude so much. Yesterday I spent much of my run trying to decide which thing I was going to chose for my daily thanks item. Once it was decided, I started thinking about today's item. I am constantly thinking about what I am thankful for!

Today's item: my trip to Peru, meeting Magally, learning more about Compassion International.
As I have posted previously, this trip changed my life, my perspective, and even my desires. I am looking forward to how God is going to continue to work in me on these things that I learned and am still processing.

I am thankful that I was introduced to this amazing culture first hand.


I am thankful that I got to meet Magally and her wonderful mother.


I am thankful that I could share some Japanese culture with Magally!


I am thankful for the amazing people God gifted to be our translators on the trip.


I am thankful for the work Compassion International is doing around the world to release children and their families from poverty.


I am thankful for the fantastic people I met on the trip.