Happy Easter!

This past Sunday we visited another church in a town around 1.5 hours away from where we live. We joined in the worship there in the morning but the main reason for our visit was to see and be part of what happened after the worship. For the past 20 years, this church has held an Easter festival at the end of April for the local community. Japanese just love festivals, complete with food, games, music and fun. We were amazed at how many people turned up. It seems that from around 5 or 6 years ago, the numbers have really picked up. Yesterday there were around 220 folks who came along from the community, many of them children. The church members were busy and each played their part in welcoming those who came. There was such a happy and relaxed atmosphere. It was a great way for the church to connect with the community. The pastor has been there for over 30 years and has over that time built up relationships with so many - from the mayor to the school head teachers to the people who live round about. Who knows how many seeds have been sown over the years and through the annual Easter festival. We hope in a small way to take some of what we observed yesterday and use the building below our house to hold some kind of mini-festival to make further contact with the folks who live here in Hiragishi.