Greetings from Japan

On Nov 28 we arrived in Sendai, Japan.  We went from 90 degrees F. to 50 degrees F.  Many felt that it was a refreshing change from the hot humid days in Thailand.  Our 12 days in Japan were filled with home visiting and a meal with Japanese families; ministering in the Baptist church with song and testimony; ministering at several temporary housing sites for the tsunami victims; helping a local farmer in the tsunami area harvest her lettuce and prepare her field for plowing; visiting a local shrine; going to a local bathhouse; walking through the Aizu Tsuruga-Jo Castle; and just relaxing.  The Japanese country and people are beautiful.  Although fairly reserved, they are also very kind and gracious.  

As part of our orientation, we learned not only some of the cultural do's and don’ts but also how to use chopsticks to eat all our meals.   A few of the students even learned to use chopsticks to eat peanut covered popcorn, a very nice way to keep your fingers from getting oily.  We viewed this humorous demonstration in separating and using chopsticks http://youtu.be/t4y5uOSOJa0