Here's a common sight - apartment buildings called danchi. June is rainy season but today was mostly sunny so everyone took advantage of that and hung out their futons and laundry on the balcony.

Here's the same shot for the guys! And go back to the first picture, click for larger view, and find the 12 satellite dishes.

Here is a video of the ladies' bell choir at Honda Chapel practicing "Seek Ye First"

This morning was WONDERFUL!  Dave's been leading a "Living in Grace" Seminar for the church people.  We went through each point on the white board discussing what this looks like in our lives as Christians.  It was so exciting to watch the ladies' faces and hear their comments and questions and their prayers later.  Oh, "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound..."  What a privilege to be here and to watch what God is doing...AND to understand most of what the folks are saying!  Hearing the gospel of grace in Japanese is really an encouragement to our faith as we see that the truth of the gospel is POWERFUL in any language and speaks to the hearts of all people!

Long-distance grandparenting

We may be on the other side of the world, but we're still grandparents.  We are VERY GRATEFUL for technology these days!  We've had video chats with both kids and granddaughters.  Also several "chats" on facebook.  What a gift to be able to do this!  We couldn't do it 20 years ago when we were here...we waited for that once-a-month, costly, hard-to-hear phone call, and there was no email.  Now we can talk to our family every day if we want to, as well as SEE them.  We thank the Lord that we live in this day and time where the world seems much smaller than it used to be.

Father's Day - Ella, Lucy, and Kate with Daddy

Daddy's girls

Kate, almost 3 months

Kate

Wednesday, June 23rd

Today was a busy day with the missionaries: a concert of prayer starting at 7am and going until 11am. Then a break, grocery shopping, (Dave's getting good at driving around!) and getting a room ready for a couple coming to visit who are parents of a short-termer. They're due in any minute. Then at 4:30 M&M time with the missionary ladies and Dave met with the guys. Then a walk to Brent's house where we stayed when we first arrived to have dinner with all the team. Lots of fun getting to know the folks here a little better.  So, it was an English day!  Tomorrow is a busy day, with Japanese people all day, starting with Dave leading Sonship Follow-up #2, then for Barb, two English classes, one of which is M&M. (Scripture Memory and Meditation).  Dave hopes to make some progress on some of the jobs on his repair list.

Bob and Sally, two of the leaders of the team, checking their calendars...

Pretty flowers outside Honda Chapel

Dave posing with Big Boy at his restaurant

Team time; there were about 15 people present

Good night all....zzzzzzzzzzzzz

We love you, and really appreciate your prayers!

Driving!

We thought you'd like to see what it looks and feels like to drive in Japan. This is the very last minute or so of a recent drive home.

Train coming!

How would you like to live in the apartment building across the tracks?