Hello!
Well, here we are again at the end of another summer in Japan! Yes, it’s just as hot as a Texas summer. (Thank you, humidity, for the 16°F heat index on top of heat in the 90s.)
Daily heat stroke advisory aside, July 
seemed to fly by, with English classes continuing as usual until Japan's summer break started at the end of July. At the beginning of July, I got to accompany my language partner to the Tanabata festival! The festival is especially popular with couples, but for most it is just another chance to make wishes and enjoy a festival.
A few of you may know that I made an emergency trip home for a week at the end of July to comfort a close friend whose mother passed away. Though a sad reason, I was glad for the chance to see some of you, and I wish I had had more time to visit with you! But I will make sure to spend time with more of you the next time I'm home!
I had to hurry back to Japan to join in hosting the first of two mission teams from Korea, who helped us put on an English Day Camp at SCC. The three-day camp was open to any children in the community, including current English students. Two students came the first day, one came for part of the second day, and three came on the third day. The team shared Bible stories in English and Japanese, had a short English quiz time, and led different games and crafts. Following lunch together, there was free time to play, do more crafts, and to further discuss the Bible story. After camp each day, the pastor and I were tour guides for the team, taking them to nearby places for sightseeing and dinner. One place was the Cup Noodle Ramen Museum, so I got to check that off my Japan "bucket-list" with them! We also saw the harbor area of Yokohama from the ferris wheel (a great photo-op!) and climbed to the lookout point on Enoshima Island! 
On Sunday, during the service at SCC, the team presented a special song performance and one lady shared her testimony. After the service, as a blessing and thank you to us, they prepared a special dinner for the church members. During this, they also presented a skit drama, with the theme that Christ is our strength and is the only way to defend against the evil and temptations the world has to offer. One young man performed a taekwon-dance, a performance using moves from taekwondo as an interpretive dance. After this, they left for their accommodations in Tokyo, from whence they would fly home the next day.
A few days (of much needed rest) later, the second team arrived and put on a camp at Samukawa Church, and I had the honor of hosting part of the team in my house! Especially as it is the church's house, and God has blessed me with the use of it, I was happy to open it to them. The camp and sightseeing schedule for the second team was copy-paste from the first team. We had a total of five students, two of whom came every day! On Sunday, the Korean team's skit drama was during the morning service, and their theme was about Anne Sullivan, specifically Anne's faith and the difference it made in working with Helen Keller, and the impact strong faith can have on the lives of others. 
The time with these teams was very special and encouraging. Their performances and acts of service were deeply moving, and I could tell their hearts were fully in all they did. It was so refreshing to be with those whose faith is so strong, after being immersed in a culture whose people have no idea how lost they are. Between my limited Korean and their varying levels of English, I was able to communicate with the team members and to get along quite swimmingly! I was surprised by how much of their Korean conversation I could understand, and I could make a few replies or comments, and they taught me a lot in a short time! By the time the second team arrived, I was able to express several simple thoughts and to reply correctly to their questions. (I guess watching all that K-drama is finally paying off!) It also helps that Korean and Japanese are "cousins," sharing many similar words and concepts, and their grammatical structure is basically the same, so my Japanese knowledge was helpful as well. By the end, I was translating Japanese into English (most of the team could at least understand English), and occasionally from Korean to Japanese! Needless to say, my brain was exhausted by the end of those two weeks, constantly operating in three languages, one of which I'm still learning the basics! But God gave me the strength and fortitude to not only get through, but to enjoy those weeks! When I go to Korea soon, I look forward to seeing the members of those teams, especially one lady who basically adopted me and is now my "Korean mom!"
After those busy weeks, I was encouraged to take some vacation time. One day, I went with my conversation partner to a mountaintop overlook near Hiratsuka, only an hour's drive away, had lunch at a cafe, and enjoyed the view of the city on one side and the sea on the other. Another day, I took one of Japan’s special sightseeing trains to the tip of the Izu peninsula in the neighboring prefecture of Shizuoka. I enjoyed the view of the ocean and the beautiful sunset, and visited the spot where Commodore Perry landed to request that Japan reopen its borders to foreign trade. Thanks to him, Japan became reconnected to the world, including welcoming missionaries again, after almost three hundred years of isolation. 
I took a three-day trip to the town of Hakone, an onsen (hot spring) town about 2 hours away. The beautiful mountain views, fresh air, and delicious food, made for quite a relaxing and refreshing time! I also enjoyed lovely views from a ropeway gondola over the mountain and the sulfur pits. One special thing in Hakone is an onsen-themed waterpark! Visitors can soak in different pools infused with a variety of things like coffee, green tea, grape juice, soda, or sake, as well as enjoy all the usual water park attractions. I especially enjoyed the coffee pool! The last thing I did before leaving Hakone was to visit the Open Air Museum. In addition to the outdoor sculptures, there are several buildings with interesting artwork. One building is filled entirely with works by Picasso! There is also a lookout tower whose outer walls are composed of stained-glass! It was a nice way to finish off my time in the mountains.
One special thing that happened while I was in Hakone, was that at dinner one night, I met a lady named Viktoria, from Moscow, who was traveling around Asian countries. She spoke English quite well, and we chatted all through dinner and walked around together afterward. She does believe in God, but isn't into the idea of religion. I was able to share how it's more about your relationship with God and Jesus than about any organized religion. She was very open to what I had to say and asked good questions. I recommended some things to read or listen to if she wanted to look deeper into the truth of who Jesus is and wants to be for us. Please be praying for Viktoria, that she would come to know her need for Jesus through the seeds planted that evening. A fine example of always being ready to give an answer for the hope that is in you (1 Peter 3:15), even when on vacation!
After that, life went back to normal, with English classes starting back up again (except for when they were canceled because of the threat of a typhoon that didn't end up raining on us much), and getting back into the various Bible studies. I was able to buy a few English children's books and textbooks while I was home, so I have been enjoying using them in my teaching and figuring out which book to use with which student. I think the students find enjoyment rising to the challenge of using English textbooks mostly meant for native English speakers! They are all doing well, and I can already see some of their growth! Please continue to pray that I can find ways to speak truth to them throughout their lessons.
Erika's last Kid's Cafe before moving to Farewell feast for Erika "Shrine-mobile" playing music
serve a church in Okinawa for 3 months while going through neighborhoods
There is a new teaching pastor at SCC, and he and his family are settling into their home and new roles. That church recently had a meeting to discuss current ministries and activities, as well as to hear our vision for the church’s future. Please be praying as we continue through this transition time and as the new pastor takes over more responsibilities. Also pray for wisdom for me as I balance my role between both churches.
Looking to the future, later in September, our church has an annual 24-hour Silent Retreat. I’m not often silent for very long, so I look forward to hearing what God has to say if I can just be still and listen. Pray that this is a deep and meaningful time for all who attend, and that the church would grow stronger and closer through it.
Earlier, I alluded to going to Korea soon. At the end of October, I will be traveling to South Korea for about three weeks to visit my pastor's sending church, and to study how they do missions. I am very excited for my first time in Korea, and I hope to reconnect with friends from college. There will be great opportunities to meet new friends, and to have lovely new experiences! One blessing is that the church facility is equipped to house visiting missionaries, so I won't have to worry about where I will stay during that time. Pray as I prepare for this trip and figure out all the logistics and schedules in the coming weeks.
Praises:
- Had fun outings with my conversation partner and got to share more about Jesus with her!
- Both English Summer Day Camps went well and the Korean teams enjoyed their time here and were a blessing to the churches.
- Had the opportunity to witness to a stranger while on vacation.
- Had a refreshing summer break and got to see more of God's beautiful creation around me.
Prayer Requests:
- Continue to pray for us as the new teaching pastor for the SCC settles into his role, and we seek God's will for future ministries there.
- Pray for me as I balance ministries between both churches, especially with potential changes ahead.
- Pray for the many with whom I have come into contact, that the seeds planted would grow and bear fruit.
- Pray for Takaya-san (my conversation partner) and Viktoria, that the seeds planted would be watered and would grow.
- Pray for the upcoming silent retreat, that it would be a refreshing and strengthening time for the church.
- Pray as I prepare for my trip to Korea, that the details and timing would work out quickly and smoothly, and that God would provide what I need for the trip.
- Pray for each other. Pray for the person who reads this next, only God knows who that is, that they would be prepared and bold in giving an answer for the hope that is in them, no matter the context.
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