Much needed, whether I realized it or not.
I was able to spend time with friends, laughing, and cooking, and catching up on tv shows. I was able to be around children and teenagers, American and Japanese. I saw where Janet lives and went to a Japanese wholesaler with Anne Marie. And I learned how to make onigiri with the Mikoskis and then be excited and disappointed about the series finale of Lost with Michelle and Nate after the boys had gone to bed.
And Sunday I was blessed to be able to attend the Nakumura girls' baptisms.
It was beautiful. Instead of going to Chuo this week, Richard had one of his friends pick me up and we drove out to the mountains--out to the Okutama Bible Chalet, where we'll be going in July for the SEND summer conference. It was a cold and cloudy day, but it was beautiful nonetheless. When you're surrounded by trees and mountains and the river like that, I don't think it could be anything but.
There were many people there from the Nakumura's house church network as well as some Baptist missionaries and people from the community. How great to get to worship with an even broader group of people than I am already! I love baptisms to begin with. They are so encouraging and so hopeful and so Spirit-filled, of course. They are moving. Hannah and Kayla stood up and gave their testimonies, told their favorite verse, and chose their favorite song for us to sing. And then Richard baptized them. And there were two baby dedications also! Nathan Nakumura and the daughter of one of the house church families.
After the service, we had a great time of fellowship over a barbecue--Japanese style, of course! The men grilled veggies and pork and beef and there were noodles and rice and it was all terribly delicious. And I got a chance to talk to the kids as well and the adults both. One of the ladies brought two couples from her apartment building--both nonbelievers, non English-speakers--and I was able to talk to them in bits and pieces. It's exciting to realize that I am picking up on some of the language--at least enough to communicate!
The whole day was an awesome blessing. Who am I? Why did God choose me to be so lucky as to be a part of this family's celebration? This family that I'd never even known about until a month and a half ago. It just goes to show how many amazing people there are all around the world for us yet to meet!
This morning, too, has been wonderful. I took the train into Higashiyamatoshi and met one of ladies from my church, Noriko. She took me out for keki to kohi--cake and coffee--and we practiced my Japanese together. Noriko is an amazing woman of faith. She depends whole-heartedly on the Lord for everything and sees His blessings in every thing. For me to be able to spend time with her is a gift.
I stepped out on a limb, too! I ordered the bean paste! I've had it a few other times, but this time I actually enjoyed it! The paste resembles baked beans, only it's a richer color and a much smoother texture. And the taste is sweet. It was served over a green tea cake that was sublime. The bean paste is very very popular here. It's used as an ingredient in many desserts, including cookies, ice cream bars, and little pastries. Daunting, but definitely worth a try!
Prayer requests for now are still mainly for relationship-building and help in remembering my students' names! On Friday, I'll go out with my Saginuma class and they're the ones I know the least amount of names for! That's also the class that has the most students that are anti-Christianity. The majority of my students, though nonbelievers, will sit quietly and respectfully during chapel time, but at Saginuma, several choose to blatantly work on other things. Their prerogative, of course, but it can be disheartening at times. So building relationships with this class is particularly important to me. Also, as you pray, please say a quick prayer for Jamie and Leslee back in Indy. This week is moving week for them and there is a lot to be done and a lot they are doing for me. Please pray for smooth sailing and patient hearts.
Thanks! :)
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