Where in Japan are Bob & Chris December 4

A busy day and a blessed day is the best way to describe December 4 for Bob & Chris. The day started and ended with bible studies at Hachiohji and Tokyo Lutheran Churches. It is always a blessed day when you have the joy of studying God's Word. Between bible studies Bob & Chris had two other wonderful activities. After bible study at Hachiohji Lutheran Church they had a lunch followed by a tour of ministry in action in the work of Yasuhiko & Setsuko Imai. This couple has dedicated their lives to starting and running a sheltered workshop and home for the mentally disadvantaged. Through their faithfulness men and women employed and living at Akebonokai have meaningful and happy lives despite other challenges. Bob & Chris felt blessed to see their ministry and be in the presence of such examples of lives responding to God's Grace in their serving. This experience was followed by another special time. Bob & Chris joined Rev. Dr. Timothy McKenzie of the Japan Lutheran Theological Seminary for a special remembrance at the grave of Mrs Alice Wilburn Stirewalt wife of Rev. Dr. Arthur J. Stirewalt. Alice Stirewalt is a daughter of St. John Lutheran Church, Charleston, South Carolina. Her husband was one of the great early missionaries who paved the way for future Lutheran missionaries and their work in the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church. As the newest form of missionaries to come from South Carolina Bob, Chris and Dr. McKenzie thought it most appropriate to take time to visit Alice Stirewalts grave, straighten the grounds, wash the head stone and honor both her and her husbands memory with a service of prayers. The exchange pastor experience of serving in Japan has given Bob and Chris many wonderful serving opportunities in the East District of the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church. They will remember December 4 however as a special day to be among the saints present and remember the saints past.

Keep praying,

Zen Ben