JUNE 1st.

This day was an amazing start to our trip. Oyumino Presbyterian Church has three meeting locations for Sunday Worship. We attended service in the largest center, Honda Chapel. Oyumino is doing very well, and being back felt like a reunion will old friends. Dan Iverson and Justin Uchida are still leading the congregation very strongly and faithfully, and being with them was a great encouragement. Kayko and Yuko are doing well also.

There are a few new people that have joined together with Sally Dangler in college ministry. John Pfile and his wife, as well as Eric (cant remember his last name at the moment) and his wife, have worked hard to build friendships with students at Chiba and other universities through a club named, “English Speaking Society”. By developing lasting relationships, they, and we, want these young Japanese men and women to see the love that we have for them; and then in turn see the much greater love that God has for them. In coming to know this love that God has for them, we hope that they will then come to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

In addition to attending a wonderful worship service this morning at Honda Chapel, we were able to see some of the fruit of John`s, Eric`s and their wive`s labor. No less than 10 students came to a barbecue this evening held especially for them. We were able to talk, laugh, tell stories, play games, and even watch a movie together, all for the sake of loving them as Christ first loved us. Everybody on our team had something positive to say about the experience worshiping at Honda, spending time with the church members, And meeting the college students at the barbecue.

Terry connected well with many of the students talking about a wide range of subjects ranging from university life, to mountain climbing. David Seifert hit it off very well with one young man, and spent quite a bit of time relating to him about mathematics. (Awesome!) Amy shared a wonderful couple of hours with some of the young ladies while playing a very intense game of cards. Patrick had a chance to share with some of the church members what our mission trip was all about, and did an excellent job reminding us that simply engaging the students in love to get to know them for the sake of planting seeds was a task pleasing to our Lord. Paige did a great job presenting facts about Texas to the Oyumino church members during out Texas afternoon lunch. Courtney and I were both very encouraged by hearing a man`s testimony of he left the church and finally came back, and his insight into how God is so faithful. Debra was aslo very encouraged by being able to see church members here in Tokyo, 6200+ miles from Dallas, worshiping the same God we do. (Indeed! Truly Amazing). Cindy taught several of the Japanese students ( and a few of we missionaries, lol) how to play an awesome card game that had everyone sharing quite a lot of fun.

Again, only one day has passed, but we feel so encouraged and joyful about everything that is going on that we can`t wait for tommorrow! Thank you all again for praying for us. We love you, and can`t wait to hear from ya!