School Children Pass by Every Day

The local kindergarten uses the walkway behind our house every day for exercise, we think. Finally was home and ready with the camera when they went by. So precious.

Trip to Beach on Day Off

Feeling adventuresome on our day off - decided to try to find coast from our house! We had heard it wasn't that far. Using iPhone Maps app, we found it. Here is a progression of videos:

Here are some other pics along the way--

Setting out 

An interesting car repair shop

Entertainment zone ahead, with fever

Colorful gas station

Post Office in the town of Toke

Went in to mail a package and Barbara took this from the parking lot- a picture of one of the ever present apartment buildings called danchi.

Barber shop where they take your hair off

This is Toke Chapel, the church where Dave goes to teach English twice a week. Some of the students had mentioned going to the seashore. Talking to them made us decide to try and find it.

This place buys gold, platinum, etc.

Made it!

Sand is a different color than what we are used to in NC & SC

So wide and clean, and we were expecting more rocky terrain.

Lots of tire tracks, so it appears driving is allowed. Or maybe just official vehicles.

Not sure what was up with this boat - it says "Coconuts Resort"

 It was full of rope and nets

There were a few fishermen set up with nets and lines

Some local color. Or not so local.

The shrine of this beach

On the way back home

We picked up some shells and washed them up when we got home.

 God's hand painting is incredible.

"By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise.  And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.  People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.  If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.  Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one."   Hebrew 11:11-16

Lord's Day at Our New Church

We have found a church we will be primarily attending. It is called Megumi no Mori Christ Church, the first words meaning "Forest of Grace." Here is a video of the children's singing time before worship this morning. They are singing "Ha-Ha-Hallelujah."

Later in the service we sang "Be Thou My Vision"

 

Here is a shot of the service. Barbara is just visible on the front row far right.

 

We are so happy to be working with Pastor and Mrs. Han, MTW missionaries from Korea. The English on the far left of the sign says Open House, the name used for the classes taught at all the MTW churches.

Back home now, some shots of flowers growing in our yard. We feel more and more like our lives and ministry are blossoming. Most days are good, but we do miss you all!

New Name Plate

We ordered and installed our new name plate this week. Intercom on the left, mail & newspaper slot on right, fluorescent light on top. Now the delivery people won't be so confused. It has been fun to watch the people walking by looking at it. It is good to have your name written on your entry way, but it is better to have it written in heaven!

Driving

Still getting used to the narrow roads here. The man helping us find a car lives in this neighborhood and we went to see him last week.

Exploring Our Neighborhood

This weekend was the first truly relaxing time in our nearly two months here. There is a walking path behind our house and we decided to follow it for a good while, and here is what we found.

Starting out from our house. That's the mail box slot your letters come to! The name plate is the owner's name. We are ordering our own to cover it over as long as the Lord allows us to stay here.

Here we go...

So inviting after many days of moving, buying stuff, settling, working.

These guys are everywhere right now. Maybe 2 inches long.

A Palmetto tree! Just like South Carolina! Sort of!

This part of the path goes alongside a pretty big road. It's 10-20 feet down below, such that the overhead sign is level with the path.

The road below

She just keeps getting cuter and cuter!

Lots of different options for walking and biking.

 

Oddly shaped thing (the tree on the left, that is) 

There was a sports area along the way and I think this is Japanese basketball.

Saw this in someone's yard - a Japanese stone lantern. I read they were first used in Shinto shrines.

Another one of those guys.

So peaceful and inviting

Sorry but I just can't quit with the flowers

Some of you will remember our dog, Sneakers. We got him in 1989 or so, the first time we were in Japan, and loved him dearly. We brought him home to SC with us when we left in 1998, and he lived several more years. He was a Shiba Inu, almost exactly like this one. When we saw him we had to go over and talk and tell them about our dog and how smart he was. They are doing the same trick with him that we did. You hold a snack in front of him and he will wait forever (drooling the longer he waits) motionless, until you say OK. Or, hai in this case.

We think this is a Confederate Rose

 Back home again. Our neighbor raises Bonsai trees and we love them. These are about a foot and a half tall.

We have found a place for the garden stone we brought with us. The M&M ladies gave it to Barbara. So true that your heart cannot help but be warmed when exposed to the warmth of the gospel. We are feeling it more and more as we get settled into our new home!