Dear Friends - It's now 8:50PM, Tuesday and I'll try and write a little bit before our team meeting to prepare for the EEC beginning tomorrow. My morning began about 6:00AM when I got up from the futon to spend some time in prayer. As I began praying for each team member it struck me how blessed I am to be part of this team. Each of them has unique talents, a wonderful engaging personality, and a strong devotion to God. They are quick to step in when there are tasks to be done - regardless how unappealing it may be. They greet people with great enthusiasm - sharing the joy and peace God has placed in their hearts. Koby did a great job of teaching a class of children and adults a hula this morning. His enthusiasm and crazy personality drew everyone into the dance - even those who were reluctant in the beginning. He greets everyone without reservation and people feel they are his best friend minutes. It is now 6:30AM Wednesday morning - we had Koby's Hawaiian class and the Taisho koto concert yesterday, then began the preparations for EEC - putting up decorations and getting the materials for our classes in order. With EEC beginning today, there is much less free time available to the team. I will do my best to keep you up to date with our activities. Yesterday I started telling you about the team members - I'll try to finish, now. When you first meet Yumiko, you see a quiet, kind, and very considerate person. She is very kind and very considerate, but hardly quiet. The more time we spend with her, the more we see her joyous, playful spirit. She is the youngest among four siblings in her family and it is clear that she was the youngest child. Her playfulness keeps everyone is high spirits throughout the day. But it is her caring heart that most impresses you. She expresses her emotions freely and you are drawn into heart. Pastor John is the only first-timer to Chino on this mission - but has quickly fit into the team here in Chino. A retired pastor who still preaches part-time, his speaking skills have not diminished with age. He gave a health seminar that drew both church members and non-Christians and he also gave his testimony at the Taisho koto concert yesterday. Although he may not be able to jump around with us during the singing of some children's songs, his speaking talents are unmatched by anyone else on the team. It's now 3:30PM on Wednesday - and everyone is tired after the first day of EEC. This is the second year of serving in Chino for Kaori. A member of the South Bay church, she is currently living in Japan. She has been doing a lot of translating for us - a very tiring and difficult task. She is working with Shizuka in the Bible Lesson class. Kaori's gentle spirit and ready smile make her someone easy to spend time with. It's now 8:30PM and we've just gotten back from the onsen - I will finish this posting before going to bed tonight - I promise. Erica is the youngest member of the team, by about 25 years, but is not intimidated by any of the older folks. Her energy and enthusiasm is a great plus in dealing with the children who come to our activities - not getting annoyed by the misbehavior of the campers like the 3 old men on the team are. She is soft-hearted and very playful. If it sounds like I keep describing the same person, it is because the women on our team are similar to one another with many of the same wonderful qualities. Shizuka, Erica's mom, has the title of co-leader for our mission team - but she is truly the leader of this team. Her bilingual skills allow her to communicate directly with the Kawanos in Chino. She selects songs for us to sing during worship services and also activities with the children - and then she teaches us the songs and plays the piano and guitar to accompany us. Her walk with God is evident in her words and actions - she truly lives a life that pleases God. And on top of all that, she has a friendly demeanor and does not show anger in her interaction with others. We are blessed to have her leading this team.
The rain has finally come to us. It rained hard Monday night/Tuesday morning, but not while any of us were up. Tonight the rain started about 6PM and it is now pouring. It has cooled down the night air and it is less humid than it was. The forecast is thundershowers for the next few days. It seems like every year we have this type of weather with the possible threat of EEC being disrupted. But every year in the past, God has allowed the program to go on without being impacted by the weather. I assume that will be the case for the next two days of EEC. Even so, I would ask for your prayers that the rain would not impact our activities. I do not want to become complacent nor fail to acknowledge who's hand controls everything.
We will be having a short team meeting in about 5 minutes so I will close this entry. I'm sorry it has taken so long to finish it. I am truly humbled to be a member of this mission team. All the team members are quick to jump in and get things done - always with a smile. I hope you have come to know them slightly better through this entry. Although I try to remember to say it in each entry, it is not just a formality - thank you for your prayers. Chihoyo-sensei and Shizuka are recovering from ailments, but seem to be getting better. Keep them in your prayers. Give thanks for how well things have been going. God bless you all. Love, Don
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Yumiko taking a turn playing the taisho koto.
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Shizuka giving instruction and encouragement to Chi-chan
as she plays the taisho koto. |
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