They've arrived

The day I for which I have been waiting for months finally arrived, my parents came to Japan for their second visit. As I was waiting for them at the airport I was beginning to think they had to go back to the plane and get their own luggage off! Apparently, the line to go through customs was really long. Thankfully, all they had to do was say hello and the customs guy said thank you and handed their passports back. I made them stay up until 9PM. They made it but fell asleep within seconds of their heads hitting the pillow. You know Dad is tired when he goes to bed when an NFL game is on in the next room! So, here they are having dinner in my dining room. I will try to have more interesting pictures from now on!



The next most anticipated day is the 19th when Shonda and Paul arrive!!!:)

What's that truck?

So, how do you move all of your stuff into a 5th floor apartment without using the stairs?

I found out today! Being from Madison, SD where only one building is over 5 floors I did not know this answer. This afternoon I was doing some work around the apartment and had all the windows open because it was so nice. I heard a truck out front which is not unusual in the middle of the afternoon. However, it seemed to be idling for a long time, then moving a little, then idling. I couldn't figure out what in the world was going on so came into the office to look out the window to find out.

That is when I saw these two trucks...



Recognizing the logo on the side I realized someone was moving into or out of my building. Since the truck appeared to be full I deducted that someone was moving in-smart one, aren't I?!

Then the noise started again and I watched the truck with the basket rise up to the 5th floor where more movers were waiting on the balcony to pull in all of the stuff!


It sure took them a lot less time to get all of the stuff moved into the apartment. I suppose it saved a little on their knees and backs, too, not having to run up and down the steps hundreds of times. And, it provided me a diversion from work for a while!

Outdoor Concert

This is post number 100 on Shan In Japan! Thanks for reading!

Last Sunday, the 28th, we had a Gospel concert outdoors. Each fall Izumi City, my city, holds a day of concerts around the city. It is called Jazz Street but jazz is not the only genre of music being performed! Last year our choir sang at the station. This year we sang at the 'elephant' park. We call it that because it has a cute elephant slide. I have no idea what the real name of the park is!

Here are a few pictures from the day...
Our pre-performance look


Singing "When the Saints Go Marching In" with the audience-I gave a little English lesson!


We also sang "We Shall Overcome" which I introduced

singing and study

Today was the first English class-Gospel songs and Bible study. Three ladies came and we had a good time singing and talking about the song I chose as well as studying where it came from in the Bible.

Today's song was "I Bless Your Name" by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. I chose it because it is slow and short. It is about Paul and Silas in jail praising God. We talked about how praising God in our "midnight hour" helps calm our fears. (I pulled this picture from their website.)

Also, the two ladies from choir asked me why I came to Japan. It was a great opportunity to share how God worked through many parts of my life to prepare me to come here. Both of them were very open to hearing more about God. They appreciate learning from Yamamoto sensei in choir but said they were happy to have a time to ask questions and learn more, too. I'm praying they will be able to come again and will feel more open to ask me questions about the songs in choir, as well.

The other lady who came is Mrs. Naka. She is a member of the Kongo Church and just loves singing. She was able to share some wisdom with the other two ladies and encourage them, too. I am really thankful for her participation and support!

A good way to give

There is a website which provides free mammograms for women in need. This month one of their sponsors is going to provide 100 free mammograms if they get enough clicks. Maybe you already know about it and its sister sites, but check out The Breast Cancer Site and click daily!

Here is a little explanation from the website about how it works.
Your click on the "Click Here to Give - it's FREE" button helps fund free mammograms for women in need — low-income, inner-city and minority women whose awareness of breast cancer and opportunity for help is often limited. Your click is paid for by site sponsors, and mammogram funding is provided to clinics throughout the U.S. through the efforts of the National Breast Cancer Foundation .

Komyo Christian Church

Well, it really happened! Today, September 14, 2008, was the first worship service of the Komyo Christian Church. Paul and Melissa Ewing and I have spent a lot of time in prayer and planning for this day. Since we came to Japan in 2001 all we have done and learned has led up to this day. What an amazingly faithful God we serve!

Today there were 13 of us crowded comfortably into Ewings' living room. The Ewing 5 + me as well as 7 from the Kongo Bible Church, the church at which we have been ministering up until now. What an encouragement to have these brothers and sisters in Christ come to be part of the first service!

Although none of the friends we invited could come today, we know God will bring them and others as we progress. The Ewings' boys had invited some of their friends, too. They were a little disappointed when none of them came. But, we are trusting God, the God who created the world, the God who parted the sea, the God who provided salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I am absolutely thrilled to be in this place at this time and am standing on tip toes in anticipation of what God has planned!

Thank you for praying with us! Please continue to pray!

Here are a few pictures from the day...

Singing...


Listening...


Praying...

Movies in Japan

Last night I watched a Japanese movie called "Smile." I really liked it. It was just what I needed on a Friday night, light-hearted comedy, a little romance, and elementary school kids playing hockey, yes, ice hockey! (Plus it had English subtitles which were pretty well done)

It filled all the formulas for a good movie, little scrawny kids learn to work as a team under a coach who has never even played hockey and win the tournament (sorry if I wrecked it for anyone:) Because of the win the rich girl's dad who owns the team allows his daughter to marry the unqualified and less than rich coach.

There was a twist that doesn't always happen in the American movies. A classmate who is in figure skating and likes one of the hockey boys gets sick. She gets leukemia, or relapses, and actually dies, during the final game of the tournament. So, when the guys are all excited about winning they find out she has died, the girl who gave them a reason to fight and win. As they stand there getting their medals they are all weeping because she has died.

I like that about movies in Japan, everything doesn't always turn out all right in the end. Just like real life. Sometimes we fight hard and try our best and still fail. But, that doesn't mean we give up on life. We learn to work through it. As Christians we learn to lean more heavily on God and trust His arms to hold us up, knowing that we can, knowing that He is trustworthy. He will not let us fall, even though it feels like it sometimes.