A Pastoral Visit

Toshimi had been involved with our Harumi Praise Time since our return to Japan in 2009, and our girls enjoyed her son Kazuki. I had met with her husband a few times for coffee and English conversation. Then last summer they moved to Singapore.

Since we had the Asia Spice conference to attend in Penang, Malaysia, a stopover in Singapore seemed in order. They graciously showed us some of the sights in a city that is spectacular.

I'd have to say their new neighbourhood is like Harumi, but of course much warmer. Especially this time of year!

Looks like the school uniforms are made with the hot sun in mind! We were able to give Toshimi the addresses of some churches in town, including a couple of Japanese congregations.

More of Christmas

Carol had a Christmas party for the children and mothers in her programs.

After a few carols, some puppets told the story of Christmas to the children

who enjoyed it. They also enjoyed the Christmas crafts.

Not only did these old CD-ROM discs make a good craft, but the Loves were pleased to get rid of all of them prior to their home assignment this summer!

Not all of the Santa cookies turned out as well as the example...

But, no matter how the cookies looked, they were all fun to eat!

And, later that evening we had good attendance for the Christmas Candle Service.

Please Describe Your Role In Twenty Words or Less...

Prayerfully pursuing divine opportunities to model and proclaim Christ; discipling, mentoring and empowering individuals, and mobilizing congregations toward worldwide impact.

Christmas, All At Once

Every year, Christmas seems to arrive suddenly, but this year we did the four Sundays of advent plus Christmas Eve all at once, on December 12.

That is to say, we did a month's worth of candle lighting all on one Sunday morning, for the sake of explaining the meaning of Christmas to those who gathered.

A number of us did the introduction and lighting of the candles and the scripture readings. Of course for each candle there was a corresponding Christmas carol. Perhaps you'll recognize this one:

Yes, that's right. O Come All Ye Faithful, verse 4. Of course, what's a Christmas celebration without a turkey dinner? We had a 10 pound turkette, so we carefully removed every scrap of meat from it and had nothing left over after our meal together.

Make a greeting

Heading South for the Winter

It's not unusual for people to head south once the weather turns cold. A group of people left from the pier at the end of our island a few weeks ago to go south, escaping the cold of Tokyo's winter. It's the warmest time of the year right now where they're going, in Antarctica.

The name of the icebreaker, "Shirase" means　"news" or "information" which is of course what we wish to give to people we come into contact with, and especially over the Christmas season. But, just like this ship, we have to break the ice first. We have a number of events during this Christmas season that will enable us to do both. We'll keep you posted on that in the new year.

Far West in the Far East

Fukuoka, in Kyushu, the major island of western Japan, is home to the Shaos, colleagues of ours supported by Chinese Alliance churches in Canada to reach out to the 40,000 Chinese living in their city of 1.5 million.

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The Shaos met us at the airport, and we went for Chinese food that evening. Later we met with the translator and reviewed the message. I've spoken through a translator at Chinese churches in Canada many times, but it's been translation from English to Chinese. This time I spoke in Japanese.

The Shaos found a condominium with two adjacent rooms that made one large room for meetings, and even the sounds of a Sunday service do not disturb the neighbours.

We had a chance to meet the members of the congregation after the service, as we enjoyed lunch together. Chinese food? No, roast beef and pizza, among other things, although the roast beef was flavoured with a particular Chinese herb that made it unique. It was very good.

One member of the congregation owns a popular Chinese restaurant in town, and we went to visit him at his work.

While downtown, we strolled through Fukuoka's version of Central Park. The Shaos told us that it is a replica of a park in China.

Wouldn't you know it! The least dignified picture of us and the Shaos is the best quality. Oh well...

It was good to see the impact the Shaos are having in the Chinese population of this city. We only wish they lived closer to us.