"Genki mura" here we come!!

May 20-21 was our first ever (annual?) youth camping trip at Toyota East (Christ Church). It was quite the adventure at "Cheerful Village", I must say. We had been prepared for rain, but were more than happy to accept the fog (felt like we were in the clouds being up so high in the mountain there) and then sunshine on Sunday (along with the first burn of the seaon for me -- complete with peeling and all. . . :-s) There were 9 of us altogether, including 2 of my English students, which was really exciting! We spent time together playing group games, doing orienteering, making supper over the coals (that one took a little longer than expected. . .), playing PIT with a new version of "spoons" ("tongues" -- no, you don't grab one another's tongues as I had mistakenly assumed, but stick out your tongue when you get a set, the point basically being getting to laugh at whoever's the last to clue in -- pretty funny actually), and spending time remembering the greatness of our Creator, through songs and reflecting on the unique gifts and abilities He's given each of us. It was a really great time together. . . well, we're not sure about the youth. . . but at least, Chiaki, the other leader, and I both agreed on that. . . ;-)

another rainy day. . .

. . . seems like we've been having a lot of them lately. Which makes having a bicycle as your primary means of transportation doesn't always work that well! It has also made me realize how easily sometimes the not-so-nice side of me comes out when things don't work out as planned -- ie. how I planned them to be.
On Wednesday evenings, I usually attend a Bible study with teachers from an International Christian school in Nagoya (3rd biggest city in Japan, and about 40 minutes by train from where I live). So, I usually have to rush out after my kindergarten kids' class, bike the 20 minutes to the station, catch the train and I arrive after most of the others, but there is always a great potluck supper waiting! ;-) Today, because of the rain / bus and train connections, I was an hour late, wet, and not happy, to put it nicely. . . But, even as I walking from the train station to the house where we meet, I was thinking about what a minimal "issue" the episode really was and how big I was making it in my mind.
And then, as I arrived, to see 15 people sitting around the living room, discussing the Word of God, reaching out to others with that hope, and our amazing, personal God, was. . . a gift.
"O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.
What is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth."
psalm 8:1,4,9
What a privilege and honour we have to know and be known, and be completely overwhelmed in the presence of that God, our King and Saviour, who wants to relate to us intimately at every moment of every day.
May Your glory reign, as it is even now, O God.

Wow!

I thank you, High God -- you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration -- what a creation! ps. 139: 14 (msg) This is little "Wataru", the baby boy born to my friend Chiharu this past Saturday. That morning, at 5 am I got an e-mail on my cell phone from Chiharu saying she was in the hospital in labour. . . at 9:30 I got pictures, and around 5:30 I was able to go and visit her. New life is amazing. . . and it's so special to be able to be a part of this experience with Chiharu, who is like a sister to me. It makes me think of what my niece Acacia must have looked / acted like when she was born only 8 months ago. . . What a special gift!
The "before" picture. . . this was Monday of last week, when Chiaki (right -- well, I guess it's pretty easy to see. . . the NONpregnant one!), Chiharu and I had a girls' night before the baby came!
I had the privilege of spending the "Golden Week" holiday surrounded by nature in Karuizawa (where I went last summer). We actually had a missionary gathering, so there were 4 who came that were living in Osaka (far left, Amberly, my right, David, middle, Andrea and 4th from right, Doris), the Hieberts -- 3 of them are on the right, and a couple from Canada who are friends of the Hieberts, Jim and Irene London (on either side of Andrea). So, other than Justin, who was home for the holidays, it was neat to be able to spend the time together as MB missionaries here in Japan.
Of course, we had LOTS of chocolate -- almost everyone brought some kind of desserts, knowing they would be well appreicated among us "gaijin" (foreigners)!! We were so blessed to have Jim share with us during the 3 days -- on intimacy with God. I was challenged in soo many ways. . . and especially in my longing for God (not the things that He gives, just Him). . . and a readiness to have Him use me / see Him work.
The morning before we left. . . full, refreshed, challenged and having enjoyed many good talks together. . .but a whole lot more sleep-deprived (after all, chances to talk naturally in English don't just come everyday!!) Definitely a lot of fun! (with Cambria, Doris, Amberly and Andrea)