Idleness. Something that seems like this December hasn’t had. In a way, I’m very thankful for that as the Bible says many things against being idle. But at the same time, it seemed like there weren’t enough “idle” times for us to appreciate and soak in why we have this season of Christmas. Another thing that this month hasn’t been full of is the word “No”. Hence the reason for such a busy time.

One thing that has been keeping us on our toes, especially Brian, is his mom has been to the hospital I think 3 times and it all started back in November. I think if we all really put our heads together about what is really wrong with her, we would still have no idea. From what I have gotten from Brian and everyone else is that there isn’t a single good hospital in Staten Island. I don’t want to go into much further details about any of it but prayer for our family would be greatly appreciated. The problems are still going on right now.

We had planned about 5 ministries but one didn’t work out. We wanted to have a little concert/caroling of Christmas/gospel music at Fukui Station but with everyone that was planning on doing that, our schedules didn’t work out for enough practice time and bad weather happened that day. Even though it didn’t work, it’s a blessing to know that God isn’t going to hold against us that a ministry didn’t happen. If He wanted it to work out, He certainly would of made it happen when those involved were willing to do so. But some of the other ministries that did happen were our church Christmas parties. One was for youth, another was for children and the last was for anyone. I was able to attend the youth. While a lot of our church members attended, there were 2 girls that attended that aren’t church goers. It’s nice being a foreigner as they take interest in talking to you and you can talk pretty much about anything with them. One of the girls asked me when we plan on going home (not for visiting) and those types of questions can open up a wonderful opportunity for God/Jesus. Also, she asked if it’s hard to be away from home. Again, wonderful opportunity! Unfortunately, we missed the children’s Christmas but we were able to go to the Christmas party that anyone can go to. Lots of singing, preaching (not entirely sure what the preacher was saying) and good food.:) All in all, it seemed like good events. The one thing that seems to lack here in churches are follow-ups. Like, you can’t just hold an event, talk to people about spiritual things and then not keep the connection with them. In the Japanese culture, you really have to stick with him as far as being in contact because they usually won’t come to you on their own. If we haven’t said this before, Japan is a relational country. Relationships are so important.

Of course, Tanpopoen Nursing Home is always a place of ministry and we certainly enjoy spending time there. Other than decorations being different from the last time we were there, nothing else was much different as far as how the program goes. Everyone seemed to be having such a wonderful time. Even little reindeer Hannah made her appearance. I’m sure you can only imagine what fun the elderly had with such a cute little baby. 🙂 On a side note, one thing we didn’t notice there last time was a big scale. So of course we all wanted to weigh ourselves. Hehe. I won’t tell you the numbers, but Hannah is growing well! 😉

 
Two different Christmas gatherings were done through GRACE Academy. One was done for a kindergarten school. I think it was the first time that the gospel could be introduced. Years prior, one of the other teachers would do whatever activities but this year Hiroko, Brian, Hannah, and I got to do it. So we did the telling of Jesus’ birth. Brian played the accordion and sang the 12 Days of Christmas which is a wonderful thing because it helps the children with counting. Boy! Did they have fun with that! Also, it makes you realize that you have to remember a lot of things as you sing down everything your true love gave ya! At times, I think Brian got 4 turtle doves and then 2 more turtle doves. 🙂 And the older class, we got to play Christmas bingo! Everyone won! We also played Christmas bingo at the GRACE Christmas party. Along with singing and again, the story of Jesus’ birth. The GRACE Christmas party was not only for the staff of the school but also any of the students that wanted to come. Hannah and I finally got to meet one of Brian’s classes which consist only of a husband and wife, the Nishimoto family. Brian has always spoken so highly of them and to finally meet them was so exciting. I think if they could of taken Hannah home, they would of. But of course, most importantly, we hope that everyone received the message of why we celebrate Christmas. That is a goal not only for us but also for Hiroko.

Even though GRACE has their “holiday break” but there were still some classes that needed to be taught and we’re happy that happened that way. Part of one of the lessons was that you had to list in order what was most important to you. The things were Language, IT, Physics, Religion, Maths, Art, Sports, and Cookery. For both students, their first was Language and their second was Cookery. Their last… Religion. Brian said that his most important were Religion and Language. The reason why we are here is for Religion, Language was number two. Less than 1% of Japanese even know about Jesus and we are here to tell others. They showed interest in why we are here for “religion”. He also got to ask them what they are doing for New Years, the lady Sasaki-san said that her family would go to a temple and do their praying in which they clap twice, bow twice and then clap once. And at a shrine you clap twice, bow twice and then clap twice. Or maybe it is all the other way around. He asked why they have to clap this many times or bow this many times and so on. Sadly, they couldn’t really answer because they didn’t really know. Sasaki-san admitted that what really matters to her is her family and friends. It really comes to show, whether in Christianity, Buddhism, Shinto or any other religion that things can be done so mindlessly, that one just goes through the motions and when confronted about it, can’t give an answer because even they don’t know. “It’s just how we’ve always done it”. It is a great reminder to us that we need to make sure we know why we do the things we do. Why do we believe in God? Why do I wear a head-covering? Why not watch this type of thing? Why have a day of rest? Why, why why? Truly, we need to know these things. So please be in prayer for Brian’s students, Dani-san and Sasaki-san.

Brian continues to have time with Moriai. I can’t remember a lot of their conversations but when he has told me what they’ve talked about, it is always just so exciting because you feel like he’s almost there. Or as Brian will put it, he’s like King Agrippa. Almost persuaded. But hopefully, Moriai’s decision will be different than Agrippa’s. Please continue to pray.

I don’t remember if Brian said in the last post that we were planning to look for another place but if he didn’t, well, we’re searching for a new place to live. One that we can’t outgrow very quickly. One thing that we learned from moving here is that you should do some research before actually making the move to a new country. For us, a 2DK (2 “bedrooms” along with a dining room and kitchen) is not as workable in the long run. Maybe a 2LDK (2 “bedrooms” along with a living room, dining room and kitchen) would work. We have one of the “bedrooms” as a living room and we all sleep in the only bedroom. We certainly didn’t plan for Hannah to still be sleeping in the same room with us at almost a year old. So it gets a little difficult at times. But it’s not the worst thing that we can’t live with it for right now but we definitely can’t wait to have more room. We looked at a house to rent a few days ago, it was an older house but it was nice. There are probably a bit more cons than pros in our minds but we are still praying about it and of course still looking around but we’d like to ask for prayer of anyone that reads this. While we want someplace different quickly, we know that waiting on the Lord’s timing is best.

Speaking of being busy, we have many people to thank back home who have taken care of numerous affairs. While I would love to put everyone’s names down but I’m afraid I’ll forget someone. But there are things from taking care of our finances, to the trailer and all the work that comes with that, our beloved dog, making sure that if we need either something from our possessions or buying things. But even some of the things that aren’t physical, thank you to everyone for your prayers and fastings. I know I’ve said this before in other places but it is why we can do what we can do because of your intercessions! Thank you!

So we are thankful for not only the month of December and all of it’s busy times but we are thankful for the year of 2016. As two major doors were opened and in such a short amount of time, Hannah’s birth and moving to Japan. As we look back on the year, I think our heads spin because it’s like “How did we manage to pull all that off so quickly?” and we’d still give the same answer. “God!” It truly was all God because personally, it was overwhelming with the changes of already having moved, to having a baby on the way, to have to move to a new country in 2 months from the time that Brian was offered the job at GRACE, plus all the little things in between. Although sometimes I think that heading up the VBS was quite the task at the time. Whoa!!! Just a lot! But again, God supplied. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19

As we enter this new year, may we all continue to strive to be more like Christ. May we remember we are on earth for His glory. May we remember Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” May our emphasis never be on things working together for us, but may our emphasis be “to them that love God”. May we remember that it isn’t about what God can do for us but rather what we can do for God. We are to live for Him! Praise the Lord! May everyone’s year of 2017 being filled with Almighty God!