Okonomiyaki Party

What in the world is okonomiyaki?  Well, it's a kind of Japanese food that our area of Japan is famous for.  It starts with a simple batter, similar to a thin pancake batter.  Then shredded cabbage is added.  Now comes the part that means (as-you-like-it).  Many different things/flavors can be added to the basic mix.  Shrimp, seafood, thinly sliced pork or beef, green onions, fish flakes. etc  The batter is spooned out onto a hot grill with your favorite toppings.  When the cakes are cooked on both sides, the cake is topped with a sweetened soy based sauce and mayo.  Sounds delicious, doesn't it?  Believe me, it is.

In early May, there are some national holidays clumped together.  They call this Golden Week.  Many people like to travel during this time. We decided to stay at home for a "stay-cation".  We got lots done around the house and yard, and enjoyed time with friends and family.

One of the days we invited the Agape people to come to our house for an okonomiyaki party!   We had such a good time.  Different people volunteered to bring different ingredients and everyone pitched in for the preparations.  We had a wonderful time of fellowship as we enjoyed delicious Japanese food.

The Ten Commandments

How many of you have watched the movie, "The Ten Commandments" with Charlton Hesston?  Yes, it's a classic, isn't it?

Some weeks ago as Mrs. K, Mrs. O, and Mrs. N were leaving at the end of Bible study, Mrs. K said, " I want to hurry home.  The Ten Commandments movie is being shown on Channel ? on TV.  When I watched it before, I could hardly understand anything.  Now that I have been studying the Bible with Kathy, I want to see if I understand more."  The other ladies nodded and said, "Yes, that's a good idea!  We'll watch it too!".

The next week at Bible study, they were full of questions.  We talked and discussed and learned a lot about the differences between living under the law and living under grace.

Kathy remembered that she had a DVD of the Jesus story in the church office.  She quickly got it after class and suggested Mrs. O take it home and watch it that week.

When she came back the following week, she exclaimed, "I watched it three times!!  The first time in English with subtitles but the rest of the time in Japanese.  It was so interesting.  I am getting more and more interested in studying the Bible."   Then she said, "I want to live my life like Jesus, showing love and kindness to everyone."  

Recently we have been studying the proofs of the resurrection of Jesus.  Pray that the signs and wonders recorded in the Bible will impact these women.

 

English Cafe

English Cafe is a event that we host at Agape on the fourth Saturday of the month, about 10 months out of the year.  It is designed to be a casual atmosphere where folks of all ages who are interested in improving their English can come and practice with native speakers.  Mainly we are the English native speakers, unless we happen to have a special guest visiting.

We set up small tables to make conversation units.  People practice free conversation for the first part of the time.  We provide refreshments and drinks, often homemade things that Kathy bakes.  Sometimes we have some English games or activities during the program time.  Murray gives a short talk in English from the Bible. Mrs. O and Mrs. N from the Monday morning Bible time often attend.  This past month we took turns reading a simplified character drama of the story of Daniel and the Lions Den.  Many of the people who attend are not yet believers.  Please pray that this outreach will bear fruit.

May Visitors

There's nothing like a visit from long-time friends. This month was such a blessing with two such visits.  Gordon and Kyna Reissdorf are from Canada (don't hold that against them!).  We met them quite a few years ago in another part of Japan, and then they also lived in the Kobe area for a number of years as tent making missionaries.  What special people they are!  God called them to return to Canada two years ago and we have really missed them and their children.  Gordon and Kyna were able to return for a visit along with some work for his job as a recruiter for Trinity Western University.  ( I hope I got that name right).  We met them downtown and took them to one of our favorite places to eat -- an okonomiyaki restaurant.  (as-you-like-it food--a sort of cabbage pancake).  So encouraging to hear story after story of God's goodness in direction and provision for their lives.  There's nothing like hearing praises firsthand.  We are so thankful for the time we had together.

Gordon and Kyna

 Our second visit was from a former TEAM Japan missionary.  We always call her Kathy Ann so that we can keep her and Kathy Jean apart.  Kathy Ann and her husband served in Japan for quite a few years (around 18 or so, I think, in total).  Josiah was good friends with their older boys when they were just 90 minutes away.  Kathy and her husband, are now serving with TEAM in the Czech Republic.  Talk about some difficult languages to learn.  (Japanese, followed by Czech).  Again, hearing firsthand how God has been working in their lives and others was just such a blessing and a big boost of encouragement to us.  Kathy's visit coincided with grandson, Leo's sports festival at his school.  So she got to see Josiah and meet his family as well.

Sports Days are annual events and a big deal at every elementary school.  All of the students are divided into two teams, the red and the white.  When you win an event, you score points for your team.  The kids' hats are reversible are can be switched from red to white.  It's an all-day event. Parents bring picnic lunches to eat while they sit outside on mats to watch the events.  Many grandparents come to watch as well.

Leo making the peace sign.  

Growing Family

During these past few months, we were overjoyed to welcome TWO new grand babies into our clan.  On November 30, 2017, Josiah and his wife, Manaka, welcomed Louie to join his big brother Leo, 7.  

We are thrilled to be able to help them out as well as spend time with them occasionally because they live just 20 minutes away.  Of course, schedules are busy but we try to fit in some fun and games with these sweeties.  

Meanwhile, back in the USA, in Milwaukee, our oldest son, Andrew and his wife, Annie had a baby boy, Sebastian, on April 10th.  We enjoy getting lots of pictures and sometimes being able to do internet calls with Sebastian's older brother, Julian, who will turn 3 in July.  Naturally we wish they weren't so far away, but we are thankful for all the many ways we can keep in touch.  

This brings our total number of grandchildren to seven.  We have four on this side of the Pacific and three more back in the USA.  Are we blessed or what?!  

March/April, 2018

Many students graduate in February and March, and start their new jobs in April.  For those of you reading our newsletters you might remember that in 2017, Manae left us to start work as a preschool teacher in her hometown on Shikoku, a different island of Japan.  Tomoka left to go to work for a hotel.  It's not that far away, but she lives in a dormitory and works a lot of split shifts, especially on Sundays.  So she isn't able to visit here very often.

This year was the year that Akihiro graduated from university.  Akihiro was baptized last year after being a part of Agape for around two years.  Akihiro is fluent in English and his dream was to spend one year living abroad in Australia after graduation.  During his last months of one-on-one Bible study with Murray, Murray was able to have him assist in some historical research for the Sunday messages.  Akihiro prepared a handout in Japanese to accompany the messages that Murray was preaching from the book of Genesis.  Akihiro also gave an oral presentation to accompany the message.

It was hard to say good-bye to him when he left.  He is living in Sydney.  Life hasn't been easy, and we recently learned that his Grandma back here in Japan passed away shortly after he went to Australia and he wasn't able to return.  He was very close to her so this has been a difficult time for him.

In Tokyo, our sweet granddaughter, Emma (pictured below with little sister, Mia) started first grade in elementary school.  While Japanese schools still require a certain style of backpack, the colors are no longer restricted to red for girls and black for boys.  Emma was thrilled to be able to choose a sky blue backpack to carry her books and things to school.  Mia just turned 3 and loves meeting new people.  Pray for their language study and the relationships they are developing in Tokyo.

February, March 2018

As the Japanese fiscal year and school year winds to a close in mid-March, we found ourselves praying for wisdom and evaluating various responsibilities and ministries.  This is the time of the year for shutting down things that aren't working or for starting new things.  This year we mainly made adjustments to the schedule to fit with students' changing schedules and adding some more new students.  We chose not to start any new programs as we both feel that we are doing all that we can at the moment.

The Monday morning group continues but we were disappointed to lose 80 year old Mr. S for an indefinite time.  He is such a lively, friendly fellow and added a unique spark to the class and sometimes stayed for Bible.  His brother-in-law is ill with cancer and it is falling on Mr. S to take him to the doctor every Monday.  So please pray that the seeds of the Gospel planted in his heart will take root and be growing.

About this same time, Mrs. O shared in Bible time that her adult daughter would be entering the hospital during March to have an operation on a tumor that was found on her head behind her ear.  Kathy didn't feel she was well enough acquainted to press for more details or to make a visit, but prayed in class for the situation.  Mrs. O was asking how we can be thankful during times of such shock and pain.  It is so obvious that the Holy Spirit is working there.  The following week, Kathy was at the same hospital for an outpatient visit, walking down a hallway that she usually doesn't use, when she heard her name being called.  (Kathy teacher, Kathy teacher) This is a very large teaching hospital with hundreds of people going here and there.  So Kathy was very surprised.  She looked around and there was Mrs. O, grabbing onto Kathy's arm.  Mrs. O was preparing to leave the hospital after seeing her daughter admitted.  After grasping the situation, Kathy was able to go with Mrs. O up  to the 8th floor and meet the daughter, and pray with both of them right there in the hospital hallway.  Mrs. O kept exclaiming, "I was so troubled.  I kept wishing that I could see you (Kathy). Your faith is so strong and such an encouragement to me."  Kathy couldn't have planned such a timely encounter even if she had wanted to.  God completely orchestrated the meeting in the hallway that day.

Mrs O's daughter's surgery went well, and praise be to God, they were able to remove the entire tumor.  Her recovery has also gone well.   Mrs. O continues to study the Bible to learn more about God.

January, 2018

January, 2018

With the cold winds of January came the beginning of the new year with some new students joining classes.  Mrs. O is one of the new adult students.  A friend invited her to visit the Monday morning adult English conversation class.  Mrs. O is a very cheerful woman who believes in showing kindness to all around her.  She works as a volunteer with handicapped children and young adults.

In fall of 2017, Kathy decided to try having a Bible study (evangelistic) directly following the English Conversation Class.  We have tried numerous methods over the years to include Bible teaching along with our English.  The methods tend to vary a lot depending on the students.  One woman of the 6 members seemed more interested than usual in the Bible and had started visiting Sunday services occasionally. (Mrs. N).  Kathy was concerned though that the level of the messages were too difficult for a new seeker.  Mrs. N became faithful in staying for the Bible studies on Mondays, along with others who stayed now and then.

By January, when Mrs. O joined the class, there were 3 women who were staying for Bible study almost every week.  She was intrigued and she began to stay for the study as well.  The study is called Firm Foundations and starts at the very beginning -- with the Creation.

Mrs Itoh (left) and Mrs. N.

Mrs. Itoh, who was saved and baptized at Agape Bible Church was able to attend one of the Christmas events.  We were delighted to hear that her work schedule which has prevented Sunday attendance for some years, has become more flexible.  Her goal is to start attending services once a month during 2018.  This is a wonderful boost as she is a proficient pianist and loves to play.  So now she is the church pianist once a month.  This frees Kathy up from the piano to take on the role of worship leader/MC for the service on the weeks that Mrs. Itoh serves at the piano.  We are so grateful to see her back fellowshipping with the other believers and also willing to serve.

December, 2017

December, 2017 was a full month of engaging with people, often having conversations related to the true meaning of Christmas.  Because of Murray's similarity in appearance to the likeness that most people think of as Santa Claus, he gets numerous invitations to parties and events.  The most exciting thing about these events is that they almost always include parents.  So these opportunities to share about the true meaning of Christmas with adults provide our largest audiences of the whole year.

Even one of the local Starbucks stores invites us to come and do a program with moms and their kids.

Kathy sometimes joins as Mrs. Claus.  

 Each year Murray is challenged to create a unique object lesson for a story that will lead to the story of Jesus.

For many of the listeners, it is not a REMINDER that Jesus should be the center of our Christmas but, rather, most of them are hearing the story of the birth of Jesus for the VERY FIRST TIME!

 Notice any similarities between the above and below photos?  Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC Japan) loves to dress Colonel Sanders in Santa's clothes each year.  Why?, you may be asking.  Because what would Christmas Eve dinner be without KFC Fried Chicken.  Well, not just KFC's, but roast chicken has become the go-to meal for Christmas Eve, which is either a family dinner at home or a special date night out, if you have a special someone.  In fact, many Japanese young ladies feel very panicked if they don't have a date for Christmas Eve.  It's very interesting how these customs develop in different countries.

Below are a few more photos of our December ministries. 

Children watching a video about the very first Christmas (in Japanese)

 These little girls really enjoyed the special treats.

 These boys were more partial to the popcorn they got to eat during the movie.

These ladies are moms of some of the children.

Mothers of our students

These are some of our youngest students.