Sunday, July 4, 2004
Church today. It was similar to last week in terms of the flow, but this time, Ray went to 2 other churches to give a message. So he was only with us for the first part of the first devotion. During the first service, Atsuko-san sang a special praise song, which she also sang for 2nd service. The church members gave us gifts and presented them during service, which they took back so they can present them again for 2nd service...^_^'''
Church today. It was similar to last week in terms of the flow, but this time, Ray went to 2 other churches to give a message. So he was only with us for the first part of the first devotion. During the first service, Atsuko-san sang a special praise song, which she also sang for 2nd service. The church members gave us gifts and presented them during service, which they took back so they can present them again for 2nd service...^_^'''
Ed did the first devotional today, and it was on 2 Peter 4:12, talking about suffering. Beland did the 2nd devotional, about not being ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God. Romans 1:6, 2 Cor 4, and some examples of people completely trusting in God and proclaimed the gospel freely, like Steven and Paul.
In between the two services, we got to join the college group. It was very interesting and encouraging to see the young people learning about the Bible.
During lunch, we gave out some of the thank-you cards and gifts to those people who helped us on our trip. Then we ate. This afternoon was pretty chill. Some people went to Namba again for a final shopping run, some stayed. So we sang a lil bit and me and Beland and Ed went back to Takenaka-san's place and took a short nap. Then we came back for the party at 6pm.
The college group hosted the party. Jal was the announcer, and Maa-kum was the translater. Some college people from OPU came as well, which was encouraging. After we ate, the church college group gave us each a CD of our concert and some special songs they recorded. Then we each gave a brief thank you speech. It was fun!
After dinner, we all walked to a place next to a river to play some hanabi (fireworks). It was exciting. So much fire and flames and sparks and colors! Some of us got to talk a lil bit too and were entertained from watching Ed get chased around by a firecracker. After the hanabi, we went back to the church, and had a sad farewell... T_T
To lighten up the mood, we all decided to go to the onsen (hot spa) once more, except Ray and Adler. It was the girls' first time to the onsen, so they were both excited and scared. The night was relaxing, and Beland went on the electric chair too after seeing Okada-sensei sitting there all cool and stuff. I'll spare u further details on Ed and Beland dancing... -_-''' anyways, the girls enjoyed it too, because the onsen is a nice and relaxing place to just talk and share your thoughts with each other. After we came back at 2am, I believe everyone went straight to sleep, cuz we're all tired...
Oh, we decided to have a morning of praise and worship at 9am the next day at Takenaka-san's place. Oh ya, happy July 4th...
Monday, July 5, 2004
This morning, everyone woke up later than we wanted. Those of us living at Takenaka-san's place woke up kinda late, and had breakfast at 9...but since everyone else was late, it was ok. After we ate, me and Beland and Ed lied down on the living room floor and rested there for a while. Mie came over at 9:30 and was surprised to see us sleeping on the ground. Oh well...later, Priscilla, Heather, Irene, Marcia, and the two boys, Nicky and Noah, came too. It was a fun time of singing and praising the Lord.
At around 2pm, we went to HBC, had some more takoyaki (octopus balls) and sushi for lunch. After saying farewell to the church members there, we left for Kansai airport.
I was tired, so I slept the whole way there, then we arrived at the familiar parking lot and entered the familiar building through the familiar walkway...At the check-in, we discovered that JAL (Japan Airline) had overbooked our flight and gave some seats to other people who arrived before us, resulting in only 3 spots left! Since Georgia had planned to go visit her aunt, we let her get on this flight. Kevin and Heather went with her too. So the rest of us stayed. It turned out that JAL will put us in a later flight which will have a 3 hour layover at Honolulu! It was exciting, cuz that will be the first time to Hawaii for many of us. The Lord is sovereign and He provides! (He also lets u have fun too!) So we waited at the airport for 3 hrs. Some church members were with us, and we had a very sad good-bye -_-, Okada-sensei stayed with us to see us off past the security. We had ramen for dinner with him. I'm gonna miss everyone... but in any case, we will see each other in heaven!
Honolulu airport was so laidback that it felt more like a resort than an airport. Now that I'm used to Japanese weather, it feels cold in LA...anyways...this trip has taught me much, among which are humility, servitude, and joy, as well as unity of the body and love for one another. Thanks to the Lord for everything He has done! May He be continually glorified through us in everyting we do!
- Addison
In between the two services, we got to join the college group. It was very interesting and encouraging to see the young people learning about the Bible.
During lunch, we gave out some of the thank-you cards and gifts to those people who helped us on our trip. Then we ate. This afternoon was pretty chill. Some people went to Namba again for a final shopping run, some stayed. So we sang a lil bit and me and Beland and Ed went back to Takenaka-san's place and took a short nap. Then we came back for the party at 6pm.
The college group hosted the party. Jal was the announcer, and Maa-kum was the translater. Some college people from OPU came as well, which was encouraging. After we ate, the church college group gave us each a CD of our concert and some special songs they recorded. Then we each gave a brief thank you speech. It was fun!
After dinner, we all walked to a place next to a river to play some hanabi (fireworks). It was exciting. So much fire and flames and sparks and colors! Some of us got to talk a lil bit too and were entertained from watching Ed get chased around by a firecracker. After the hanabi, we went back to the church, and had a sad farewell... T_T
To lighten up the mood, we all decided to go to the onsen (hot spa) once more, except Ray and Adler. It was the girls' first time to the onsen, so they were both excited and scared. The night was relaxing, and Beland went on the electric chair too after seeing Okada-sensei sitting there all cool and stuff. I'll spare u further details on Ed and Beland dancing... -_-''' anyways, the girls enjoyed it too, because the onsen is a nice and relaxing place to just talk and share your thoughts with each other. After we came back at 2am, I believe everyone went straight to sleep, cuz we're all tired...
Oh, we decided to have a morning of praise and worship at 9am the next day at Takenaka-san's place. Oh ya, happy July 4th...
Monday, July 5, 2004
This morning, everyone woke up later than we wanted. Those of us living at Takenaka-san's place woke up kinda late, and had breakfast at 9...but since everyone else was late, it was ok. After we ate, me and Beland and Ed lied down on the living room floor and rested there for a while. Mie came over at 9:30 and was surprised to see us sleeping on the ground. Oh well...later, Priscilla, Heather, Irene, Marcia, and the two boys, Nicky and Noah, came too. It was a fun time of singing and praising the Lord.
At around 2pm, we went to HBC, had some more takoyaki (octopus balls) and sushi for lunch. After saying farewell to the church members there, we left for Kansai airport.
I was tired, so I slept the whole way there, then we arrived at the familiar parking lot and entered the familiar building through the familiar walkway...At the check-in, we discovered that JAL (Japan Airline) had overbooked our flight and gave some seats to other people who arrived before us, resulting in only 3 spots left! Since Georgia had planned to go visit her aunt, we let her get on this flight. Kevin and Heather went with her too. So the rest of us stayed. It turned out that JAL will put us in a later flight which will have a 3 hour layover at Honolulu! It was exciting, cuz that will be the first time to Hawaii for many of us. The Lord is sovereign and He provides! (He also lets u have fun too!) So we waited at the airport for 3 hrs. Some church members were with us, and we had a very sad good-bye -_-, Okada-sensei stayed with us to see us off past the security. We had ramen for dinner with him. I'm gonna miss everyone... but in any case, we will see each other in heaven!
Honolulu airport was so laidback that it felt more like a resort than an airport. Now that I'm used to Japanese weather, it feels cold in LA...anyways...this trip has taught me much, among which are humility, servitude, and joy, as well as unity of the body and love for one another. Thanks to the Lord for everything He has done! May He be continually glorified through us in everyting we do!
- Addison