November 7 Where are Bob and Chris in Japan?

While Chris was back at Guesthouse # 23 at Japan Lutheran Theological Seminary continuing to study Japanese between dancing with a sweeper and washer Bob was on his way to Hiyoshi Church outside Tokyo in Hiyoshi Japan. Tonight was the first of many Bible Studies where Bob or Bob & Chris will be invited to lead and or lead and participate during the exchange ministry in Japan. Tonight Pastor Bob joined Pastor Asano and four members of Hiyoshi Church for Bible study in English. It felt very much like the contemplative study of Lectio Divina. The study was like Lectio Divina in its careful word for word contemplation for meaning. Led by the pastors each student participated by reading the text of our study, Acts 9:19-29. We read verses to teach other and together in English and then shared a careful explanation of the meaning both historical and contemporary. Phrases and individual words both the denotation and the connotation were examined. The four members of Hiyoshi church all had both a background and interest in speaking English. Pastor Bob continues to work on and have an interest in speaking Japanese. Together we listened for the Word speaking to us through our study. It was a good night in the Word of God in any language.

Keep praying,

Zen Ben