7/26 FUKUOKA So much has happened that I've probably forgotten more than half of what we did.
Bob and Joan, Doug and Helen, Lyle, and I, Alan, spent Sunday afternoon in Hakata, by way of the efficient Japan Rail. We visited a Shinto shrine, the Canal City shopping mall, a bazaar of sorts, and a folk museum.
Monday was our sightseeing day, as we rented a Toyota Coaster bus and drove down to Kumamoto, which is in central Kyushu, to visit the medieval Kumamoto Castle, Mt. Aso, and the Suizenji Jojuen Garden. We traveled with some of the Vermes' neighbors and friends and had a most enjoyable time sightseeing. Our driver was a Buddhist priest who had driven buses professionally. Consequently — and Providentially — our drive was safe and relaxing; and our rental, discounted.
I've included some photos that will describe our experience far better than I could in writing. It really was a fun adventure.
We've already begun our preparations for heading home tomorrow. We've had a meaningful and memorable time here of ministry, fellowship, and sightseeing. But we'll see you on Sunday... and again on August 22 for a time of dessert and sharing.
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7/25 FUKUOKA It's putting it mildly to say that the last three days have been busy. We had our second day of VBS on Friday and were guests of honor at the Imajuku Church's "Coffee and Chat." We met several people who wanted to practice their English. So we chatted and shared about our families. I, Alan, presented a slide-show of Seattle, which was well received.
We had our last day of VBS, yesterday. It was a special occasion: Helen and Cathy shared their testimonies with the moms while we men were charged with "running the police state," as Bob described taking care of the children. It was more like containing anarchy. Maybe that's overstating it. The kids were rambunctious and incredibly loud. But they played and sang and did whatever else thirty little kids do when they're with their friends and not with their parents. To top off the VBS program, we had a hot dog lunch together.
The guys had their night out yesterday at. . . wait for it. . . Piantatore Bettola. Fourteen diners, including the pastor's wife(!), had a relaxing meal of incredibly small portions, lively conversations in English and Japanese (often simultaneously), and the privilege of hearing Lyle's testimony. Lyle emphasized a theme of "finishing well," or establishing a godly legacy, which suited this group of businessmen and retirees quite well.
Today is our last ministry day, for we are giving a musical performance at the Itoshima Evangelical Free Church. Also, Doug and I are sharing our testimonies.
Tomorrow, we'll be taking a tour bus down to Kumamoto Castle and Mt. Aso. Local believers and unbelievers will be traveling with us. As a matter of fact, our driver will be a Buddhist priest and neighbor of the Vermes. This could be a great opportunity to informally witness to God's grace in our lives. Pray that we have a safe and enjoyable excursion.
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7/22 FUKUOKA Wow! We had a full day of VBS. 15 mothers and 31 children attended and were treated to live singing, a skit (we have a video of it!), dancing (we also have a video of this, but it might be entertaining in the humorously embarrassing sense), games, a craft, and snacks. I, Alan, think some of the children were nervous, but quickly settled in. We were friendly, and the kids and moms returned that friendliness for an enjoyable experience. But we were very busy and needed all the energy we could muster. If you read this post before 6 PM on the 22nd in Seattle, please pray that our second day will be blessed, that our scheduled activities will run smoothly, that the moms will be timely in their arrival and departure, and that God would gloried no matter what.
Now I know that it's been three days since my last entry. We've had lots of things to do, sights to see, people to visit, and great food to eat. However, I can barely remember the details — and I was not present at all of the events. I do remember that Doug, Helen, Rick, and Cathy participated in English conversational practice with a group of Jr. High girls. Maiko, one of the local believers here, teaches English classes in her home, and she sponsored this event, which went over quite well.
In addition to VBS on the 23rd, we will also be participating in an evening "coffee and chat[ting]" at the Imajuku Church. This will give us a chance to converse one-on-one with locals and to share about home and family. This could also be a great opportunity to have personal connections with some of the people of Fukuoka, whether they are Christians or not.
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7/19 NAGASAKI We had an extremely full and fun day running over to Nagasaki to see the Atom Bomb Museum and other sites memorializing the second use of an atomic weapon in warfare. We also had a chance to visit historical sites going back in time much farther, such as a re-creation of the 18th Century Dutch trading community and artificial island of Dejima and the 26 Martyrs shrine commemorating Jesuit priests and local believers who were crucified in the 16th Century.
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7/18 FUKUOKA
We had
a very pleasant time at the Imajuku Church in Fukuoka this morning.
There, we participated in the worship service, fellowshipped with four
local congregations. and enjoyed a potluck lunch. Rick gave his
testimony, as did a local Japanese believer. Rick, Doug, and Helen
constituted the worship team, but we all went up front to sing a
Japanese variation of The B-I-B-L-E. Alan wanted to record our
performance, but his computer malfunctioned and he missed his chance.
We'll perform it again as part of our VBS, so maybe then he can record
it and post it online later.
This
afternoon, we spent some time at the Vermes' community's celebration,
which featured karaoke, grilled lunches, shaved ice (which was quite
tasty on such a hot day), and a fishing pond. The locals welcomed us -
and we got to experience the neighborhood culture.
Imajuku Church
Are we famous now that we are being advertised thousands of miles away from our hometown?
Bob and Cathy visiting with a local boy who, understandably, loves baseball and dislikes opera
7/17 FUKUOKA All of the team arrived safely to Fukuoka and reunited at the Vermes' church (pictured below) this morning in the city of Itoshima. We spent the day catching up on our travel experiences, adjusting to the high humidity, and orienting ourselves to the activities of next week under Bob and Joan's skillful direction. We were further blessed with the presence of three local believers who helped us prepare for the upcoming children's VBS.
Itoshima Evangelical Free Church
7/14 SEATTLE Rick and Cathy are safely in Fukuoka, Japan. Doug and Helen are en route. And Lyle and Alan leave tomorrow! Pray for safe travel, good health, and dry weather. The region has experienced quite a bit of rainfall, and milder weather would be much better for the team as well for some of the activities that are being planned.
On Sunday the 11th, all of United joined in commissioning our six member team – Doug and Helen, Rick and Cathy, Lyle, and Alan – as they prepared for their trips to Japan, where they would spend two weeks in various ministries, including singing and a Vacation Bible School program.
Questions or comments about this page or the trip? Contact Alan.
