Tokorozawa Vineyard

We both managed to sleep well so were up early enough to get some play time in with Kira and Ezra before it was time to go to church.  I am also finding that things seem familiar.  Getting to and from the station, even yesterday in our jetlagged state was familiar, using the travel cards, paying for things in shops - there is a Japanese way.  But when we got to Tokorozawa it has been updated since we last went there, so the journey from the station was quite different. When we arrived in church though, we were greeted with "Welcome back to Japan" and we felt at home straight away as our friends from last visit greeted us.

The whole service was in Japanese, but one of the men was able to translate some of the sermon for us so we knew the gist of what Araki was sharing.  It was about us all being called to be disciples and doing things for Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.  After the service I was able to speak with Toshiko-san and asked how the mother and baby were doing, we had been praying for them after a cancer scare meant the baby had to be induced prematurely.  The mother is doing really well and is out of hospital and although the baby is still in intensive care, she is able to visit every day.  I gave Toshiko-san a little baby jumper to give to them that I had made - I wanted to bless them from us all.

Araki, Dave and some of the congregation left after the service to go to a cemetery for the internment of ashes ceremony for Tats' mum (whose funeral Dave told us about before Christmas).  We were able to join a couple of the ladies to have a picnic at church.  We picked up premade 'bento' (Japanese picnic) boxes from a local shop and had a lovely hour together catching up.  It really does feel very normal to be here with them all.

Prayer request

Before we came we had offered to bring an Easter Labyrinth/meditation to do with the church here as we are involved in helping with alternative worship sessions related to the Christian Calendar at Trent Vineyard.  We only found out the day before we came that Araki might be interested in using it and in conversations with Araki this morning it seems that we would have to do it in a different way from how I would have expected and we are not yet sure when he might want us to do it.  I am excited to be able to offer this and would appreciate your prayers as we work out the best way of using it and that we would know in plenty of time to be able to prepare the different aspects of it.  Also pray that as people engage with it God will speak to them.

.........Cherry Blossom Update report........

Before we came we had no idea that we would see any cherry blossom as it has been a cold winter here in Japan which can put the timing back.  But we are so pleased to report that we have picked just the right week to see the blossom as they are all out now in Tokyo so we are making the most of every opportunity.  I'll let the photos speak for themselves!