Spring is finally here and we are so glad! We were told by many of our Japanese friends that this was an unusually cold winter with the most snow the Tokyo area has experienced in the last 20 to 30 years. It was beautiful but a slight hindrance for a large portion of the population who do not have cars (including us). On that note, I want to show you a photo of what I call a Japanese SUV...
This is one of the smaller SUV's. It is not unusual to see a mom driving one of these things with three seats. A third seat might be on the inside of the handle bars facing the rider; there are different configurations. The most amazing sight I have seen is a mom with bags of groceries hanging on her bike, three children in seats, and a baby strapped to her body. Think of this the next time you complain about having to put your children in the car and drive across town-- in the pouring rain! Wow! I admire these resilient moms!
I have just experienced my first sakura season. You know all those fantastic photos of cherry blossoms that you see on the internet in the advertisements of Japan? Well, they are absolutely true! What a beautiful season here in Japan and the Japanese people take the time to discover the beauty each year as if it was the first time. Here are a few photos of our personal hanami.
We found this quiet creek, canopied with sakura blossoms, in Yokohama. The blossoms last for the better part of two weeks. When the time comes for the blossoms to fall, they look like snow falling in the spring breeze. Totemo subarashi desu!
Much is going on here. Fuse Jesus Community is a cell group-based church, and we are preparing to multiply and spread out. This means our current cell groups will divide up and start new cell groups in different parts of the city. It is an exciting time, reaching further! What an awesome group of people! It is an honor to be a part of what God is doing here in Japan!
Girl's Night was an anointed time of testimonies, worship, prayer, and sugar!
A larger house shared by three young men was lent to us for the event, so we could accommodate all the girls. It was transformed from a man cave into something all the girls could enjoy, complete with candles! It was a wonderful time of sharing God's Love and teaching what it means to have true Christ-centered relationships.
On Easter Sunday, Fuse Jesus Community had a sunrise service on the roof of our church building. It was cloudy but our spirits were not dampened! We still celebrated the "Son Rise". We had a wonderful time sharing God's Word, worship, food and fellowship.
I am a part of the "No Limits" cell group and we frequently fellowship outside the cell group or church environment to encourage camaraderie with our current members as well as many new friends not yet familiar with church. We were so blessed by new friends at our latest outing, a picnic in Ikuta Ryokuchi park.
There is much more that I have not shared. It has been a long time since I have blogged about my activities here, so I will bring you up to date with a photo montage of my activities since Thanksgiving, before I sign off.
We were gifted tickets to Kabuki Theatre in Shinjuku.
We were blessed by a visit from Lucas, a friend from Brazil
New Years Eve traditional Mochi-making event
Visit to Imperial Palace grounds in Hibiya
A few of our friends were anxious to meet the Emperor
Fun at Tokyo Station, Hibiya
The masked guy is to scare your children into submission! No Kidding! He was hanging out in the Station.
A beautiful night out with friends at Canal Café in Iidabashi
PAZ Japan fosters an afterschool program for local school children on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons which is now expanding to include Monday and Wednesday afternoons. Jenny and I will be heading up the two additional days, where we will be teaching English and Bible to children ages 6 to 8 years of age. Please pray for me and Jenny to be guided by God's Wisdom and Love for these beautiful children.
Thank you so much for your prayers and generous support! Your partnership with us is much appreciated!
Kami Sama ga shukufuku wo shimasu! (God Bless you!)
Rhonda
