Although we officially finished our programme yesterday, today was really our final goodbyes to some of the children, parents and helpers at the Chapel of Adoration. We had hoped that the second time around would be less emotional but the immense generosity and hospitality of everyone here made it every bit as difficult. We are thankful to everyone who has supported us while we stayed here:
- To Graham and Alison for many evening meals and encouragement as we adjusted to a foreign culture.
- Sozo sensei for his teaching, friendship and encouragement.
- To the OMF workers who helped to orient us in the first week.
- To the Families who opened their homes to us and allowed us to share in their lives.
- To the ladies at the Chapel for delicious meals, innumerable gifts and their welcoming hearts.
We attended the church service at 10:00 this morning. Graham was preaching and kindly provided a transcript of the address in English for us. We shared in communion with the congregation. At lunchtime the team members were invited to share some of their favourite moments from the Japan experience. This was the point were emotions could no longer be contained as recounting the different memories brought them back to life for us.
There is no question that we will be sad to return home, saying goodbye to Graham and Alison and family and the OMF team based here and everyone who has shown us love and support- but we hope the goodbye will not be forever.
We leave this blog post with the words from a song:
God be with you til we meet again;
by His counsels guide, uphold you,
with His sheep securely fold you;
God be with you til we meet again.
Til we meet, til we meet,
til we meet at Jesus’ feet;
til we meet, til we meet,
God be with you til we meet again.
Best Regards
Stuart and Arf
Dear team
Thanks for this post in time for our Service at GPC thismorning. Was awake some during the night praying, (as we bloggers are in the habit of doing) and was thinking of some way of finishing off my report to the congregation thismorning. Couldn’t think of a verse to use as I did the “immeasurably more” last week! God is amazing!!! I will attempt to use this latest message as a way of conveying how you are all feeling and of what japan 08 has meant to you… briefly, aye right I hear you say! Please pray for me. It might be a little difficult to contain emotions here too… and I wouldn’t like to make Lachlan cry again. Can’t be doing with tears in the coffee!
Love to you all, Mummy Ange xxx
Stuart,
I am unable at present to get the microphone to work on this computer. I have had problems like this before. Will try to get my laptop from work will hopefully have it up and working by 3.00pm our time.
The skype user name is davymullan. I have sent your my contact details by skype.
Bye
Davy
i have tears in my eyes at the moment and it is hard to say goodbye but everyone here will have tears when you all meet again God bless and have a lovely time the next few days Love and Prayers Eileen
We enfold all of you in are hearts at this difficult time.
To God be the glory
Great things He hath done
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son
Who yielded His life
An atonement for sin
And opened the life gate that ALL may go in.
May the Holy Spirit gladden all your hearts, enabling you to know how much your love for the Lord Jesus Christ has shone through the activities with the little children and all the above mentioned people for the past 3+ weeks. Salt and Light is what we are called to be as we serve the Lord and we know that this is what you have been.
Love and blessings
N a P x
Heyy Guys! been keepin up with the blog & thought i’d drop you a wee msg to say that it’s been class hearing everything that you’s have been up to! can’t wait to see u’s at the weekend!!!
Amy.Xx
Just a wee message to wish Elaine a very Happy Birthday for Monday!
It has been great to read of everything the team has been doing… you have all been in our prayers.
Safe journey home.
love
Carolyn
Hello Team
Great to “conference” with you all yesterday. Just wanted to wish Elaine a Happy Birthday. Trust you are enjoying your day Elaine and that your fellow team members are “spoiling you” big time!!
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear Elaine-san
Happy Birthday to you!
With love n hugs from, Jim, Ange, Chris and Jen xxxx
Hope someone spoiled the birthday girl and did the washing for her! It must be nice to know you could have a lie-in and the pressure of schedules is off. Now take some time to rest , relax , care for each other and enjoy the sight-seeing! All here still praying and thanking God for all we’ve heard so far – looking forward to hearing much more! Practising star-jumps to join Ange and Joanne (not!!) but not sure if Ikea could cope with us all ! Thanks to all who have blogged at your end and kept the pics coming , please keep going a while longer ! May God richly Bless all you do this week Love Sue & Robert x
Hi Guys,
Glad everything has gone so well. It’s really encouraging to know that the Lord can use you all half way round the world with all the differences that you’ve encountered. HBC here will be a dodle!
Happy Birthday Elaine – looks like Japanese baking is well up to sratch even if their technology doesn’t extend to air conditioning in church halls!
Enjoy your last few days – look forward to seeing you next weekend – jet lag permitting!
Regards to Graham, Alison, Kathryn & Daniel
Love to you all
K, T & J
Hi,
Nearly fell asleep by the time the girls had finished nattering.
to their Mum. It is amazing that it cost nothing. just as well!!!!!. Thanks for organising it. The photos of Elaine’s birthday cake look great. Hope you can keep us a bit. Many happy returns. I have noticed that no one has kept you going about your age. You must have aged better than me and don’t look a day over 21.
Keep safe – relax and enjoy the rest of your trip. Experience the place without having the pressure of the kids clubs.
See you all on Friday.
God bless.
LOL to J+S
XOXO
bye
Hi all,
No show with out punch. Belated wishes for your Birthday Elaine. I hope you had a lovely day and the team treated you well. The room looked great and the cake delicious.
I hope you all slept well after the excitement of talking to us back home. It was really amazing to see you just in front of us and everything to be so clear.
I pray you had a good rest to -day and also for a peaceful nights rest so you will enjoy the sight seeing over the next couple of days. Don’t try to over do it.
A big thank you to Alison and Graham for all the organising they have been doing in the background. Also their help and support while you have been there. We pray God will richly bless their commitment and will feel encouraged that they are very much in the love and prayers of their church family back home.
Love to you all.
God Bless,
Lorna
XOXO