Full House

Actually, tonight is one of those rare occasions when there is no one at the Guest Home. Kenton left this morning, and JP is away for the weekend.  So, it's quiet here except for the three Sunday School classes using our buildings at the moment.

This all changes starting tomorrow evening when new guests start arriving and by Tuesday night all the rooms will be occupied. This is the way of the Guest Home in Ichikawa.

When I took over management of the place in June it was a sudden change for me and I had to jump into a schedule that had already, in the most, part been set for me. The busy schedule continues for another week or two and then glorious down time and perhaps an actual vacation!

The 10th of August a prayer partner from America, whom I have not met in person, will visit for 5 days.  Even though it is likely to be hot, I will try to show her the highlights of Tokyo. Just planning for this upcoming change of schedule is rather invigorating. It's something to look forward to.

Sobetsu Kai

Today was another "Good Bye Party" at church.  This week the Orr Family will go to Northern Ireland for a two year (at least) Home Assignment. They've gone home before of course, but this time when they return, they will not be assigned to The Chapel of Adoration in Ichikawa because this church now has a Japanese pastor and should not need missionary leadership. So, after 13 years of the Orrs being there, they won't be.

I met them in 1999 when I first came to Ichikawa and they were the pastors of our host church, the aforementioned Chapel. Some of us had a little trouble understanding Graham because of his accent and because he talked so very fast.  He either improved, or I learned to follow him over the years. The first time I met Alison was at a Thursday Prayer Meeting.  She came in and sat her young child (Daniel) down on the floor with a puzzle. My jaw dropped at the level of puzzle he was doing with ease.  I asked his age, and when told, I replied, "He shouldn't be able to do that."  Over this past year I have gotten to know Alison a lot better as we worked together in the Serve Japan program. When I have been in Japan, the Orrs have been my pastors.  So, as I am staying here a bit longer, I will be missing having a pastor here.  

And so it goes in Foreign Missions.  You learn that goodbyes are as sure as hellos.  I don't think you ever get to like them though. Today we looked at some old pictures, had speeches, sang some of the songs Graham wrote, laughed and cried together. On Wednesday they'll be on a plane for the UK and it is quite possible I will not see them again in this life.

Meet the Happy Couple

Today was Yuka and Tomoyuki's wedding.  This was the first Japanese wedding I've attended that hasn't been at my home Church. Yuka has worked as Accounts Assistant at the Japan OMF HQ for 8 years. We followed the progress of this relationship with great joy and anticipation culminating today with the wedding.

All of the details were worked out in advance and you could see the thoughtfulness in every phase of the afternoon. If there were any missteps, the congregation at large was not aware of them. Here is the happy couple serving cake to their guests. Lots of smiles.

Close to exhaustion I think, but plans well made were executed and the wedding was truly a celebration of God's love and care for these two and their friends.

A new level of busy

Last week at one time or another all of the rooms at the Guest Home had to be cleaned. Several more than once. That's nine rooms varying from singles to a small two bedroom apartment.  The job would have been next to impossible on my own, but I had several people come help. So thanks to Yuka, Reiko, Junko and Yoko my load was a lot lighter.

This week there are people coming to stay for slightly longer periods for the most part, so a little room to breathe. I definitely have a "day off" planned and might even get to go to quilting class if there is one this Wednesday.

Nice to be able to think back on scenes like this one from two weeks ago in the mountains. So calm and serene early in the mornings...and cool.

And last week, being able to have lunch with sweet Julie, away from Ichikawa.

I'll post these photos from Karuizawa on Picasa as usual. Happy viewing.