Hope Academy of the Bronx!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFvS1m3apx4
This is the school where Heather works, and you'll see a shot of her reading to the children of her class in this video.

Which Do You Like Best?

This doodle was presented to us at North Toronto Chinese Alliance Church after we spoke there. I didn't realize my head was the shape of a thumb. 

But this is a colouring page for HPAC Kids at Heritage Park Alliance Church, Windsor. Our friend in the picture is Crumbler, who interviewed us for a video presentation to the children. The last time I had a hairline like that was probably sometime in the 1970's.

And from Riley Tong we have this reproduction of our prayer card! 

Global Vault Podcast

https://www.globalvaultpodcast.ca/?fbclid=IwAR3Oml-QR7Q5I8mvJqLAVmwt0kPc4xdTumy7k2-TuWn1VByAfWKQQlFT7es

Shiohama Gathering: 10,000 Reasons in Japanese

Where do you work?

We've referred freely to Harumi and to Shiohama, but you have no idea of their location or relation. Harumi is in the centre of this map, and a 15 minute bicycle ride to the east is Shiohama, which has an orange star and is circled in a red line. We go over three bridges to get from one place to the other, because everything in our area is divided into islands. Our Shiohama believers travel to Harumi twice a month to fellowship and worship with the believers there.

There's an App for That!

Thanks to our son-in-law, we now know what a Sous Vide is. His company is working on connectivity for household appliances, so his experience with both Apple & Android app programming got him hired quite quickly. Well, it was after a multi-year process of upgrading in order to make himself marketable. We're thankful for his diligence.

https://chefman.com/

The Train Station in Japan

https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2018/05/the-amazing-psychology-of-japanese-train-stations/560822/

A Local Product

When we toured beautiful Izu Peninsula recently, I saw a Japan Coast Guard vessel that had been built in the shipyard visible across the channel from our balcony. One identical to this boat is being finished right now. They just painted it yesterday. It's welded aluminum plate with twin jet drive propulsion, so it moves at high speed. 

What Season is it in Tokyo?

Well, you could say it's "ajisai" or hydrangea season, but it's also rainy season. Almost every day during June we have rain. To celebrate Mizuho's birthday, Carol made the ajisai cupcakes. 

Just Too Cool...

How's this for  a pose? This was last Sunday. 

After the children's story and craft, while adults were finishing up our time in prayer, this is what the children were up to. Good thing the grown-ups didn't know...

Momo agreed to help out with the children on Sunday, which was a big help. 

A Great Day!

Masayo has been looking forward to this declaration of faith in Jesus 

She was joined by Jumpei and Mizuho, on one side, and Yoko, on the other. Carol is welcoming the people from Shiohama and Harumi who have come to celebrate this step of faith. 

We were encouraged by their testimonies of coming to Christ, and the changes He has made in their lives.

 We had our baptismal service in a deluxe guest room of an apartment complex where one of the believers lives. With Shiohama reaching young families, there are always small children around.

Carol did a spectacular carrot cake to celebrate the event, and the children were the first to enjoy it.

Keiko, talking to Carol Love here, was baptized here just a few months ago. 

Next to the room in the pictures is a very large bathroom with a big jacuzzi. An unusual feature is that to the left of this jacuzzi is a floor to ceiling window, so when the drapes are drawn, people in the other room could look on, as others crowded around to watch and record the baptism.

We had the blinds down for the baptism, but guests who use the jacuzzi can have this view of Tokyo as they soak.

Sakura...

How much more Japanese can one picture get? 

This traditional boat has a very long "paddle" attached to the boat by a rope just in front of the man. There's a rocker pad resting on the transom, and the man pushes and pulls the paddle using the little handle that is perpendicular to the paddle, causing it to act like the tail of a fish in the water. 

No, this isn't sakura, but it's beautiful, and a good contrast to the early postwar building behind it. 

Kayaks may not be very traditional, but the sight on fallen sakura on the river certainly is. This proved to be a long sakura season, but the winds and rain of the past two days have abruptly ended it.

Easter Celebration

Another Easter, another masterpiece cake by Carol Love!

Part of the celebration was singing Gospel..."When I think about the Lord..."

We had our Shiohama celebration on March 18, so some of us joined Harumi for their celebration

The Real "GTA"

We call it the Kanto Plain. Tokyo, Kawasaki, Yokohama, Chiba and surrounding areas. 

People Sometimes Ask...

if we ever get snow in Tokyo.

The last time we had accumulation was four years ago. Several centimeters, and it lingered for a couple of weeks. Everyone just pulls out their tire chains and continues on their way.

 Next morning, we had accumulation, but on a sunny day, it won't last long.

The transit system barely copes with the volume of passengers in the morning, and adding something like snowfall creates chaos. Huge delays result.