In Living Color

Earlier this month we posted (See One Day Picnic post) a pic of Taka with Takeshi, a local artist who sometimes comes to our International Cafe outreach. We also mentioned that he was supposed to be doing a caricature drawing of us (that was what he was doing at the "picnic" but since he was so busy, we ordered ours but said he could give it to us anytime). Well, he came to International Cafe the other day, so we got it! We're quite impressed! It's so rare that caricatures actually look like the people! And we like his creative use of colors. Hope you enjoy!

Happy "Sea Day" (Umi no Hi)

Today (July 21) is a national holiday, called Umi no hi (literally Sea Day). In honor of the holiday, we thought we'd post some pics from our recent lunch outing to support one of our church member's exhibition at a local Italian restaurant (One of her pieces had a sea theme). Noriko is the same one whose chalkart we posted a picture of earlier this month (See One Day Picnic). She was able to display her work at her friends' restaurant for 2 days. She enjoys using her gift to spread God's Word. PHOTOS: 1) posting this one in honor of Sea Day & the One who created it....2) Mayumi & Yoko (Yoko & Noriko had been doing a seeker's Bible study with Mayumi)...3) Us with Maris (our friend from the Philippines who is sadly leaving this week)

July International Cafe

These are some pics from our International Cafe outreach that we had on the 19th. The theme was "Paradise" and we had table discussion about what "paradise" means to everyone...then each table shared their thoughts. There were some really good discucssions & most concluded that paradise cannot be found on earth. Then we showed some movie clips from "Narnia" followed by a look into paradise in God's Word. PHOTOS: 1) Taka translating & facilitating discussion time...2&3) Table "reps" share about what their group discussed...4) candid shot of the tea time at the end of the night...people stuck around chatting till 11!

Wedding

July 12th, we had a wedding ceremony for Dai & Sayuri Fukuda. We posted photos from their engagement ceremony in a previous blog (last year). Sayuri is a dear member of our church family. She had just started coming to our church when Taka and I arrived in Shimonoseki. Taka really enjoyed his Bible studies with her & Yoko (in one of the photos). Dai is like an adopted member of our church. He would usually stay at our place when he would come to visit Sayuri. (Dai is from Kobe, which is almost a 3-hour bullet train ride from here.) And he would always be willing to play guitar for worship whenever needed. We're so happy for them, but we're sure gonna miss Sayuri being around (they'll live in Kobe from now). PHOTOS: Us (we celebrated our 3rd anniversary on the 10th) with the bride and groom...Taka's mom with Yoko @ the reception table....the bride & groom during the ceremony & walking back down the aisle...some shots of Taka who was the MC for the reception.

Cute Kids

These photos are for all my friends out there who love to see cute Japanese kids:) And for anyone interested in seeing our cute kid in the belly, I'll post some belly shots too. (Never thought I would purposely ask someone to take a side angle shot of me, let alone post the photo on the web!) ...and Taka has a cute baby face himself:) These photos were taken at a wedding we had at the church yesterday. We'll post some pics of the wedding next.

Japanese style BBQ

Last month we had a BBQ at a picnic/bbq site about an hour's drive from our home. I think it's the first time I've been to a BBQ in the middle of a downpour. (We were in the midst of the rainy season) Thankfully we were undercover and didn't get wet & could enjoy the yummy food. PHOTOS: 1)food shots....2)Sarah Russell (new missionary teacher who came in April) and me....3)random shot in which you can see me in the "my belly is growing have to support my back" pregnancy standing position & Taka practicing being a papa to Sean Crane, one of the missionary's kids here (they just went back to the States)

One Day Picnic

One day, back in back in May, a bunch of us from church went to the 2nd annual "One Day Picnic" that was coordinated by a woman from our church. Also, one of our church members, who last year went to Australia to study chalk art, displayed and sold some of her work. It wasn't really a "picnic". It was more like a small outdoor craft fair for area artists & restaurateurs with some different musicians performing for entertainment throughout the day. PHOTOS: 1. Taka posing with Takeshi, a local artist who sometimes comes to our International Cafe outreach. He draws caricatures&supposed to be doing one of Taka & me.2. The chalkart booth (the woman on the right is the aunt of our friend who does the chalkart & also one of my students) 3. Taka chatting with Niki who is from our church & one of the coordinators of the whole event (She has a great voice & sang "Amazing Grace" at our Japan wedding reception 3 years ago)...you can also see the hula dancers in the background. 4. some of the entertainers...grease lightning looking guys!