Visual Missions

This year the JECM teachers participated in the LIFE Ministry retreat in Karuizawa.  It's was great time to be with other missionaries and to learn about God.  We also had time to relax and have fun.

Here is Rob and me on our way to Karuizawa.

This year's early morning Easter service was held at a driving school near the parking lot that the churches used to have the early morning service.  The parking lot was closed because of construction, so the churches decided to have it at the driving school.  I thought it was much nicer than the parking lot.

On Easter, Inori and Marika have the same birthday.  We had an Easter lunch and also a birthday party.

The Kaisho Forest has been in the news a lot because they wanted to build an expo center and homes which meant clearing part of the forest.  However, because they found a rare hawk living the forest controversy has arisen.  There is still much debate.  I was just glad to find time at see the beauty of Kaisho Forest.

This shot was from atop of one of the mountains.  This view overlooks Seto and Nagoya (although the haze and resolution of this picture makes it hard to see).

I accompanied my cello student and his friends to Kaisho Forest.  The couple on the left we just "picked up" on our hike.  It was their first time and my cello student's knowledge of Kaisho Forest had them wanted to find out more, so they followed us.

Spring time is sakura time.  I got away to Nagoya Castle to see the blossoms.  In Japan, sakura time is also beer time.