End of an era

Last week saw the end of one chapter in one of our boys' lives.  Daniel started at Hebron School in India in August 2006.  That was a huge change for all of us as for the first time one of our boys was away from home - and quite far away at that.  We looked forward to the weekly handwritten letters (changed to e-mails as he got older).  Friday nights were phoning Hebron nights - and we had the inevitable frustrations at times of trying to get through to a dorm in a school way at the top of a mountain in south India.  Booking air tickets became a kind of hobby as there were two visits a year by parents for half-term and then two returns back to Japan for the summer and winter holidays.  For Daniel, he has been with many of the same group for these six years - playing many sports together, having fun together, going through tough times together, at school together, living in the dorm together.  And now it is over.  But as one chapter begins, another opens.  Now is just the interlude between school and university and for us that opens up a whole new world of form-filling and applications.  Born in Scotland, primary school in Japan, secondary school in India rubbing shoulders with many different cultures and nationalities.  Now it is back to Scotland and Daniel is following in his parents' footsteps by studying Law.  As we look back on the Hebron years, we are very grateful for this school, for the teachers, the dorm parents and the chance to meet and interact with many who are working in quite diverse situations in a number of different countries.  And we trust that Daniel will look back and be thankful (as he is) for the many experiences of his Hebron days.  Our third boy Calum is already getting excited about going - but that is a story for another day later in the year.

Light of the World

Every year in Hokkaido at this time of year, in various venues around the island, there is an event called the Yo no Hikari rally.  Yo no Hikari means Light of the World.  There is a Christian broadcasting group in Japan which uses the name Yo no Hikari and puts out short programmes on both televison and radio early Sunday mornings.  They contain a simple Bible message and people have the opportunity to write in or call with questions, comments or to request literature, including a Bible.  Although in recent times struggling with finances, this means of sharing the gospel has over many years been used and blessed to reach people in communities where there is no church, or simply to reach people who may be seeking something but would never thought of going to a church in a country where so few do go.  The rallies are held each June and have a simple format - some music, a testimony and a Bible message.  When we lived in Otaru, the church ladies often attended the morning rally and the hope was always to be able to invite others along.  This time in Sapporo David attended the evening rally along with Richard and two of our young believers.  It is good to see pastors and members of different churches in the city working together to make this kind of thing happen.  The radio and television broadcasting still has a part to play, even in this Internet/iPhone age - many elderly people would still happily tune in (and are up early enough to do so) and be able to hear a gospel message.  May this means continue to be used to reach many for the gospel in Hokkaido.

One step at a time

As we have seen this new church plant here in Hiragishi start from nothing and gradually begin to take shape, it has very much been a case of one step at a time.  Recently, that phrase ('step by step' or 'ippo ippo' in Japanese) has taken on a new significance for those of us working with OMF in Japan.  Around a year ago OMF took the decision to start a relief work in an area of Iwate Prefecture which had been devastated by the tsunami.  Amazingly, part of a building was available for rent.  An experienced missionary couple were appointed to the work, moving to the area last September.  Japanese staff workers were also provided - a couple moving to Iwate to serve full-time for a couple of years.  Much has happened since that time but this blog is about a recent development.  A site was identified in a town called Yamada which suffered extensive damage by the tsunami and by fires afterwards.  Over the last few weeks a temporary structure (called a 'super house') has been put in place which will serve as a cafe and meeting place for local people.  The building is topped off with the new logo - 'ippo ippo' with accompanying feet!  Just last week a simple opening ceremony was held attended by the previous owner of the land, a representative from the town hall and others who had helped in different ways with the building project.  Customers have already been in to the cafe - to enjoy what is on offer but also just to meet with others, chat and be listened to.  The present phase of this relief work will last for another year or so yet and we trust that this cafe will be well used over coming months.  This week Kaori (who normally works in the OMF office in Sapporo) is in Yamada helping in these early days of the cafe.  Next month an OMF team from Hokkaido (led by David and with Daniel and Matthew too) will go to Iwate to help in whatever ways we can for the time we will be there.  We don't know yet quite what that will involve but look forward to seeing and being part of (even for a short time) all that God is doing in these days among the people of the coastal communities in Iwate.

Church Office

Last Sunday we as a church gathered in a room in a building almost right next door to the local subway station to dedicate our new church office.  It was so good to find a place that is on the main road in our part of Hiragishi, bright, welcoming, just the right size and really convenient for those travelling by subway.  The office will give us a presence right in the heart of the area where we also live.  Our house, where the worship service will continue to be held, while in a great location for a place to have people come and not trouble many others with noise, is somewhat removed from the centre of Hiragishi.  Our colleague Richard will use the office as his working place and we will also use it for Bible studies, meetings, English classes and any other small group classes that we might offer in coming months.  We trust that it will be well used and be a blessing to all who come in.  Just now all the church folks are thinking about how we can decorate the walls and what we should do about furniture and the like to make it a place that is welcoming and attractive for guests and visitors who come in.  May this little office be used to God's glory and as a place where many can come into contact with what our church name stands for - Izumi, meaning spring.  There are many thirsty people in Hiragishi who need to drink living water.