Open Sunday. . .

These past 2 Sundays have been our official "Open Sundays" for the new church. . . something that has been anticipated and prayed for by many here both in Japan and North America. God has given (through the prompting and generous support of many people) us a beautiful building, but much more than that, a church family of believers here. I am so thankful for each of the people worshipping here, and it is exciting to see how God has worked in strengthening relationships through this building process, and making us more aware of how we need to be a living example of what the church is . . . This past Sunday, quite a few families who have never been to church or rarely attend came to the worship service. We also had a special kids' program during the service and made advent calendars together with over 20 kids (some came back from summer kids' club and other students from English classes! :-)!! Pray with us that these kids will think about the true meaning of Christmas as we anticipate this special season, and will join us again for the Christmas Eve candlelight service, or Christmas morning. Though we can do nothing on our own, we know Who holds both our and these precious lives. 

Best birthday gift ever. . .

Ok, so it was almost 2 weeks ago already, but having my parents arrive just in time for my birthday (on the 17th) was pretty exciting!!!! :-D I felt like a little kid again with all the anticipation, all the stuff they spoiled me with ;-), and having the amazing opportunity to spend time together for these past couple of weeks (they leave this Saturday). Though I hope the pictures and stories on this blog give you an idea about my life here, it is great to have someone come and share in that, and experience those two worlds come together in a special way. . . Praise God for He is so good!! 

You can't live here without. . .

. . . having caught a sense of the Japanese love and pride for their "Fuji-san" (Mt. Fuji). Although it may become more than a beautiful piece of nature to some, being able to see this magnificent mountain (clearly) from my hotel window for the 3 days I spent at the Church Planting (CPI) conference was wonderful!! Not only that, the conference itself was amazing!!! God definitely used the speakers, words spoken and the people I met there to encourage, refresh and challenge me. Sometimes even the most basic ideas, spoken again or in a new way, have a way of meeting us in a special and fresh way. Praise God. . . that He is working here. . . and that He is using people (Japanese and missionaries) accross the country who are passionate about Him to share from their heart. Pray that we foreigners will be "out of work" here. . . I want to challenge you with a quote from this conference that has impacted me deeply, and I pray that I will remember daily as I realize how Jesus is working in and changing my life. "You cannot commend what you don't cherish." May we cherish our Saviour and Lord above all!!! 

Halloween party!!

So, I have to admit, I was pretty proud of Cambria and I. . . for our amazing powers of creativity and ingenuity in costume creation this year, not to mention "cultural appropriateness" (since hearing "onigiri"(rice ball) and "kani" (crab) don't quite get the same reaction from Canadians!). The youth party we had for Halloween at the church was a great time of all kinds of games (finding candy in a bowl of flour), crafts (jack-0-lanterns out of balloons), singing, laughing and finding out a bit more about Jesus together. One of my students and her friend even came for the first time, which was super exciting! Let the good times roll. . . 

Slightly different than your average "Turtle Derby Parade"

For those of you who have no idea what the "Turtle Derby" entails. . . are you ever missing out!! :-b If you've ever seen a small town parade, you can picture what I'm talking about! Somehow our floats look a little shabby next to these elaborate ones displayed on the temple grounds. (see next pics for more explanation on that. . .) 

Two little boys sitting uptop one of the floats, having fun throwing down confetti on those walking down below. 

Okay, so I'm a little behind here. . .

"Koromo Matsuri" -- the annual fall festival here in Toyota took place in the middle of October. Isn't this little boy (Yuuto) the cutest ever?? I became friends with his parents since they have a hair salon nearby where I've been going (hence the highlights and permed hair on this little guy!!) Although they were working this day, her parents offered to take Yuuto and I.
Apparently these "floats" are each maintained by individual communities within Toyota, on the Saturday of the festival paraded around in these areas, and then Sunday (before we arrived) brought to sit at the big temple near the city centre. The paper you see strewn around that Yuuto is throwing is the confetti that they shower on the floats as they enter the temple grounds.