Mark's notes

It has been such a joyful time sharing our lives and stories with the people of Sanda and Nishinomiya.  In Sanda, our homestay family became "family" to Cyndy and me.  I got to spend time going to "radio stretch exercise" at 6:30 in the morning with Sachiko, Yukio, Mako and Kako! I got to tour the Kirin beer plant with the family and enjoyed the luncheon afterward.  They introduced me to the highly prized Matsutake mushroom cooked tempura style.  Yukio graciously took the whole family and myself to an onsen hot pool.  I felt so welcomed and accepted. I should have told them to call me "Uncle Mark." We were introduced to Japanese watermelon pinata, fireworks, cod roe, photo beauty booths, and a taiko drum arcade game. Cyndy and I prayed for the family, especially for Kako. Jesus also provided time for Cyndy and me to share about who Jesus is and how He was different than the many gods here (Japanese say the number 888 represents the thousands of gods here in Japan). We ask for your prayers that Yukio and Sachiko's hearts will be open to the Good News. There is an intellectual understanding of Christianity, but to embrace Jesus in faith appears difficult.  We thank God that Sachiko felt Jesus during our prayer with her, and that she saw and said that "Jesus changes lives."  

In Nishinomiya, Cyndy and I got to meet our other homestay family. Miyuki and Takahiro graciously gave us their whole house to stay in.  Takahiro showed us his tatami shop. We also got to share about Jesus with their daughter Makiko who is a pharmacist. She said she was touched about our decision to go to Ishinomaki. We got to use their washing machine which washes and drys in one machine. Lucille, Denise and I got to attend a calligraphy class with a master sensei, and shared some worship songs and the reason for us coming to Japan with the class.  We participated in American night and enjoyed meeting people from the Joyful English class that Randy teaches.  There was so much laughter and so much eating.  Miyuki and Ooe (one of the class members) cooked octopus balls (takoyaki) for us for dinner and we had a discussion about Jesus, similar to one which we had with Sachiko.  God is good in providing the time to share about Him and His love.

Today, August 2nd, Denise led a wonderful scrap booking class. Many of the woman who attended brought their children along, and babysitting was provided by the church members and occasionally by some of our team. We all enjoyed being "grandparents" to the children and babies. Baby Yuki was shared by all.  The Church provided a wonderful sukiyaki meal followed by some of the sweetest watermelon I have ever tasted.  We also spent time ministering in prayer for Randy and Hitomi who run the English ministry there.  I saw carp fish, representing the people of Japan, being drawn to Randy because of the Good News of Jesus; and Hitomi presenting a brilliant diamond on a pillow representing Jesus. 

We are now on our way to Sendai and Ishinomaki by bus.  The trip will be about 12 hrs.  Your prayers for safe travel are coveted. As always, please pray for the Holy Spirit to open hearts.  It is not by our own doing.  Dear Holy Spirit, please show your grace and mercy to those in Japan we come in contact with.  Let them see who Jesus is and how much He loves. We pray that the Good News will produce fruit. We love you Lord and we thank you for allowing us to love the people we have met.

We leave with sadness in saying good-by to our new friends. But we pray that what we shared about Jesus will touch those who we've shared our lives with.