I have been back in Phillipsburg for 3 weeks today. Sometimes I cannot believe that my time in Japan is over. While Annie and I were there I kept saying I could not believe I was actually in Japan and maybe Annie should pinch me. You should try explaining that to someone with limited English!

It was such a blessing that this trip became a reality. I can say "IT WAS A GOD THING!"

*God allowed my health to do good before I went and HE gave me great health during the whole trip. Other than a little trouble with my arthritis and foot & leg cramps my health was GREAT.

*God saw to it that we had the funds to go. He touched the hearts of many to give so that His word could be planted in the hearts of many.

*God blessed me during our travels - no jet lag going over, restful sleep while there (even on a futan), and no culture shock. Once home I slept well and at regular times but I have had some days where I felt out of it and experienced some of those post-trip feelings.

*God sees to it that you are not the same as you were before you went. He uses the experience to touch your heart, to open your mind, and to make you realize how important it is that you share His Good News with all people.



I hope people will keep Annie and I in their prayers as we share the story of our trip with people here at home. I hope we can give people a glimpse of our experience in Hachinohe. It was a blessing to be able to participate in this mission trip; one of the greatest experiences and blessings I have received!

PARTY #3 - Farewell

Readers, their children, church members, Annie & I enjoyed a great evening of fun, food, games, pictures, speeches and goodbyes. We played spoons, some for the first time, and had lots of laughter, squeals and all the other noises that accompany three tables of people playing the game.

Annie with some of her readers and Brother Shiozawa. Everyone seemed to enjoy the picture taking as much as the games.
Everyone smile and say "cheese". This photo started out being LST workes and church members when all the children wanted to be included. Who can resist a child's smile?
Some of my readers and their children posed with me for this photo. I sure did enjoy getting to spend some free time with readers and I just loved their children.

Beauty of Japan - THE CHURCH MEMBERS in Hachinohe

The church family in Hachinohe is AMAZING! They are a people who serve God and each other. They were always looking for a way to serve not only God but His children. They met us with open arms, making us feel at home and loved. They cooked for us, welcomed our readers with coffee, tea and goodies and always, always made everyone feel glad they had come. Members shared in the fun during parties, displaying a sense of humor and enthusiasm for every game and activity. Many members drove us around for errands, shopping and some showed us the sites in Hachinohe.
My life is blessed to have been able to worship with them, work with them and have the opportunity to serve and share the short time I had with them. A special place in my heart will always belong to them!

Shimamori


Mel Shaw, Annie, Sharlene & Yoko Shaw



Kaneko & Tomoyuki Matsuzaka, Chieko,
Sharlene, Hisao Shiozawa and Annie.


Chieko


The Church Family on our first Sunday in Hachinohe

Beauty of Japan - THE PEOPLE in Sendai

An amazing young woman, Sasha, has been working as a Missionary Intern in Sendai since October, 2008. Somehow she fitted time with us into her very busy schedule. She impressed me with her people skills, her ability to speak and understand Japanese, the amazing ability to decipher the bus schedule, her driving skills (on the left side of the road & the right side of the car!), and her love for God in sharing Him with the people of Japan. She did all this with such humility which is an even bigger accomplishment. She is pictured here with the daughters of one of Annie's readers from 2006. Annie had a great time with the little ones.

Debi, she opened her home and her heart, as well as her classroom, to us. She has been in Sendai for at least 2 years - I just loved listening to her speak Japanese. Right now she is teaching English to kindergartners (ages 3 to 6) and we were able to visit her classroom - such a neat experience. Debi reminds me of my daughter Pamela.
Yukie, Mikio, Keiko and Annie at the party. Keiko was Annie's reader two years ago. It was great to meet these people, I have heard so much about them and now I can put names with the faces. Yukie and I visited quite awhile and I am going to have to send her some Kansas sunset pictures. Annie had a great visit with Keiko and Mikio.
Crimsen, Haruka & Yukie - Crimsen was so excited to see them. I think Haruka was about 5 when she first came to Japan. It had been almost 2 years since Crimsen had seen them and she seemed shocked at how much he had grown up. Haruka got to practice his English a little bit in conversation with me. They were such friendly and welcoming people.
Four Sendai Christian women, Sasha, Debi, Akiko, Yuko & Annie. Annie loved being with them and was so thankful that they hosted a party so she could see old friends and former readers. Annie just glowed that evening - well, really the whole trip. It was easy to see why she loves the country, her readers and the friends she has there. The stop-over in Sendai was such a blessing!

Beauty of Japan - THE FLOWERS

There were beautiful flowers everywhere we went in Japan - in gardens, in yards, along the street ... just everywhere. We had fresh flowers in our home - placed there by Shimamori. She also created pictures with dried flowers and plants - BEAUTIFUL! Most flowers had no role but to be there for people to enjoy and we "oohed and aahed" over them on a daily basis. We did have one rice dish with yellow chrysanthemums as an ingredient - it was a little sweet and tasted pretty good.



I kept saying that we were taking the pictures for my sister, Brenda who works in a flower shop. In reality, I think I took them as much for me as anyone else! I'm going to have to have her help me identify the ones I can't name.

Beauty of Japan

I'm thinking that I might have to change this post before I even start it. I thought about posting pictures and writing a little about the "beauty of Japan" and when I started to add the pictures I realized there are different "types" of beauty. There is beauty in moments that will only be pictures in my heart & mind for I could not have captured the moment even if my camera was near.

*the tear that drops from a reader's eye as you pray with them
*the smile and serenity on an elderly preacher's face as he closes his eyes and shares the gospel with his church family
*the shy smile on a child's face as he hands me a homework paper to hang on my refrigerator in Kansas
*the smile on a reader's face when they understand the meaning of a Bible story or passage
*the looks on the faces of 6 precious souls as they wave good-bye to us on the morning we left Hachinohe

I pray that God keeps these "pictures" sharp and clear in my heart.

Party #2 - Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Everyone! We started this party off with everyone signing in by writing their birthdates on the Birthday Calendar. Next we made Birthday Hats. Such creative people! Our readers and church members did a great job of designing their own hats.
Sharlene introduced everyone to the "Penny Toss" game which her girls, their friends, nieces,... all loved. Everyone was a Winner - you toss four pennies and four one yen pieces into muffin tins. If your coins land in a muffin cup you receive the candy or stickers in that cup. Chieko caught on to how American children win at this game!
We played Musical Chairs with music by Annie. What fun - clapping to the music and some very serious players. The youngest guest, Sam, stayed in to the end winning one round against one of the oldest players.
Our oldest Birthday Girl got the honor of blowing out the birthday candles. We found the cake at a local bakery and we served cookies, chips and delicious Fairy Bread ( a treat learned from our Australian/American cousin, Kayla Keesee.)
Masayo and Yurika enjoyed the fun, the games and the food. We had a great time of fellowship with all of our guests.