Where are Bob & Chris in Japan? February 21

Bob and Chris were at Shimizu Lutheran Church on February 21st doing something that they could never have imagined before coming to Japan last October. They were attending a concert that included fine musical renditions of popular music played on a saw, a trio of Omni Chords and a Mandolin Septet. The concert was performed by members of Shimizu Lutheran Church including Akehi sensei and the Mandolin Club of Shizuoka University. They enjoyed the concert with fine music from instruments they had either never experienced before or certainly did not expect to hear in Japan. The saw and mandolins are often part of “mountain” music back in the United States. Mandolins especially have significant roles in Bluegrass Music. Bob and Chris however are originally from the state of Ohio where such musical forms are not popular. They have not heard either instrument very often. The Omni Chords were something they had never seen before coming to Shimizu Lutheran Church. The best part was the concert did more than convey music; it conveyed the Gospel. The concert was free like God’s grace. And more; through the stewardship of a member of Shimizu Lutheran Church, Kusaka sensei New Testaments were offered free of any charge to each person in attendance at the concert. They are distributed in Japan through the good work of The Gideon’s International in Japan. Kusaka sensei is the National Secretary Emeritus of this fine organization. The New Testaments that were given out are a side by side translation from Greek into both English in the New King James Translation and into Japanese. They are an excellent resource for Japanese; especially youth to learn English and the Gospel. So on a Saturday afternoon Bob and Chris heard new music that was performed at a very high level and saw evangelism in a creative and effective way at the same time. At the end of the concert Bob was asked to bring greetings and did so from the people of the South Carolina Synod of the ELCA. It was a wonderful afternoon for all.

Keep praying,

Zen Ben