Metaphor, Metaphor

Metaphor is that literary form that has meaning beyond itself.  Walking down the Camino is a festival of metaphors; metaphors that point to the path of life.  The way to preserver as you walk continually each day is to simply focus on each step with head down and pace constant.  Every once in a while you raise your head to look for markers to keep you on the intended path; but then return to pace and position looking at the path as you traverse it.  What you see is metaphor.  

You see patterns of treads from thousands of hiking shoes and boots of all kinds and brands.  You see only the partial and never a consistent whole.  Each tread is overcome and replaced by the one that came after it. You see patterns of treads of bicycle tires more consistent than shoes and boots; but also quickly over ridden by another.  You see metaphors for people whose lives are both independent and intertwined by the path of their lives on the Camino.  You see a metaphor for all of our lives; intertwined, independent; overlapping and yet a community at the same time.  

The Camino is scenic at times; taking the pilgrim down lanes of isolated nature in woods and fields and conveying peace.  The Camino is challenging at times demanding the assent of remote paths into the hills and mountains and yielding breath taking moments as the reward is peering out over vistas of vast beauty. The Camino is routine at times as the path partners its way along the highways of commerce that scream with the noise of trucks and autos. The Camino is grotesque at times as the path takes the pilgrim past industrial areas, waster areas, even garbage dumps.  To whatever view the Camino takes the pilgrim the role of the pilgrim is simply to give thanks and place their gaze to the next placement of the next step given the ability to make the same from God. 

In micro as one contemplates each step or in macro as one contemplates settings or context of multiple steps or the path as a totality it is metaphor; a metaphor of the gift of life in its beauty, it's routine or even its ugliness.  It is a gift from God.  It is the reality and the gift of life the path we walk today in the sure and certain hope of the path to come where by grace we will step.

Parable of the Wine

A parable to share this day; what I call the parable of the wine.  Walking on a pilgrimage to Santigo de Compostela one day a pilgrim came to a hostel or Albergue that was somewhat unique; a place where pilgrims were told to be at home; where the kitchen was fully stocked with food for the use of pilgrims and the cost was left up to the individual.  It was called an honest kitchen; one where you used whatever you wished and placed in the container the value of that which was used; as you alone determined it.  It as a communal experience.

One pilgrim bought a bottle of wine; fine Spanish wine costing 1.50 euros and brought it back to the kitchen had a glass wine and told other pilgrims it was theirs to enjoy.  Later in the day the pilgrim who bought the wine came back for another glass; but found a smiling German pilgrim who had just finished the wine.  The pilgrim who had purchased the wine had not told his German friend the wine was for anyone; but rather he assumed it as such and finished the bottle.

Later at dinner time the first pilgrim was making his dinner from the communal kitchen; opened the refrigerator and there was a bottle of fine Spanish wine; communal wine he thought and he took a glass.  As he sat down in the garden to enjoy dinner and a fine wine he heard a cry from the Spainish pilgrim at the other end of the table. "Why are you drinking my wine; a wine of five euros in cost; and my wine!" What responded the first. "Any wine in the communal kitchen is for the community; the value of my glass is in the collection box." The Spansh pilgrim was angry, finished HIS bottle quickly, muted run the whole time. 

Now what is the meaning of this parable? That is up to the reader. First drink a glass of wine!

Old Habits Hang ON

Habits Die Hard

Why do two men at 6:30 in the morning stand at a pedestrian crossing with no traffic and refuse to walk against the light; not for a few seconds but for a few minutes.  One man is Japanese and from a culture where such individuality is frowned upon; the other a man who lived in Japan recognized the fellow traveler as a person from Japan and was determined to to insult the culture of a Japanese pilgrim in Spain by moving forward.  Habits some good some not so are hard to break even when on a pilgrimage.  For the Japanese man the idea that in Spain he had to observe the same conventions that he learned in Japan; for the other man the same determination that he did not want to embarrass the Japanese man; or be judged by that same man to be less than honorable.  If both are on the Camino in Spain to experience new directions; to be open to new ways is it not time to leave old habits behind?  God answered the question when I turned to my left; getting impatient with the time delay and noticed a button that was to be pushed to change the signal from red to green.  On Camino God is pushing our buttons to find new ways and new life.  The same happens each day no matter where anyone is on their path.  We need to turn and notice!!!

Gift or Desperation 

We stayed in an Albergue last evening that was in fact a mission outreach for  Oasis Ministries.  We were in the village of Villamayor de Monjardin.  I was a bit taken back when they prayed at dinner; tried to engage in conversation that allowed the sharing of faith stories; gave us the Gospel according to John as a gift in the language of each person at dinner and finally let us know that there was a time for reflection offered at 8:30 pm.  Upon reflection however I noted that nothing was offered with an edge of Church evangelism; the staff was from multiple denominations; thus no visible denominational doctrine etc.  The entire offerings  were a gift for the pilgrim; regardless of faith tradition.  The good news of Jesus Christ was shared as pure gift.  The motivation as presented was welcoming gift.  It felt much different even more genuine than evangelism whose motive feels more like an attempt to salvage an institution; the Church than the simply gifting as we have been gifted with the eternal all inclusive love of God in Jesus Christ.  

Perhaps evangelism as pure gift; motivation that grows out of sharing the gift we have already received rather than as a means to preserve the institution is the only real evangelism for each of us to engage.  Motive matters; sharing love is gifting. Recruiting out of fear for the institution is passive taking away.

Thoughts from a Medival Town

Thought from Cirauqui, Spain

It is a ok if you have never of Cirauqui, Spain.  It is a medival town of 450 or so inhabitants.  The name in Basque means placer of vipers; a town build a about 1000 years ago on a hill opt rock.  Here like in many of the towns there is a central church and a populace that is well just friendly and welcoming.  They welcome with hospitality and smiles those who walk the Camino for whatever it is we seek in our pilgrimage.  They welcome those who seek meaning; those who seek direction; those who seek the joy of sacrifice; those who walk for ... This is a path I choose to walk to Santiago to hear the voice of God in the people of this town; in the openness of fellow pilgrims willing to share their stories. The days are long; the pain is consistent and constant; but it may not overcome the joy of walking to hear God; in the voices of the sounds along the path, in the sharing of fellow pilgrims; in the smiles and wisdom of the shop keepers. So tonight one rests in a medival town and tomorrow in another  village along Camino until Santiago or until God chooses to end the path.

JB

Focus for Your Path

Focus for the Path

Walking Camino to Pamplona the words that came to me were "focus on the stones; your stones that would cause to you stumble from God's path for you.  When you focus on them you overcome them; you accept they are there; either of your own making or placed there for reasons never to be understood; but able to be overcome with the gift of vision from God."  As this was being pondered; the thought that rapped around me was Jesus reminding us about the splinter in another's eye that we emphasize and miss the log in our own; log or stone we stray from the path of God's inclusive love; the path we have been given.  Focus on the path; with clear vision overcome the stones; your stones.

JB

Sabbath Preparation

The last Sunday before preparation is over and reality of the Camino begins; today there is no physical training; but a continuation of psychological by observing Sabbath rest.  Today the lessons of the lectionaries are my reading.  While on Camino each Sunday will bring the opportunity to find a  place in the nave of a village church and read a Gospel account; Mark then Matthew, Luke and finally John.

WEIGHT

It's about weight when you are walking to Santiago; the weight you carry is the burden you choose to bear; the lesson on the body is the need to seek thankfulness for what God provides and leave the burdens of excess that bring harmful weight behind.  That is also a lesson from the end of training for Camino.  The last two days free from the pack that needed to be prepared for the flight to Spain eventually to begin in France the walks for training felt more like pleasant strolls that training. The mind was open to listen to the waking of the birds and other creatures and perhaps even an unknown whisper.  The first day after a rain there was a strange new sound of applause from the trees.  The leaves still wet with moisture released droplets of water as the breeze moved the leaves and the sound from one droplet to another as they hit the next leaf was like the applause of the tree to God for the refreshment of the rain.  May the day be one of refreshment in the presence of the one who sends the rain and invites us to walk free of the excess.

Peace,

JB

Process in the Present

Now training the necessary moves towards final stages; distances approaching what will be the course of the daily enterprise on Camino.  Thus 20k today July the 15th with the start about one month away and the departure to Spain about three weeks.  This continues with some let off as the start approaches in order to maintain fitness while giving the body and mind a chance to build up for the task at hand; to engage in another phase of the continuing process of life in the present; engage and live in the process.  As I was training the 20k today in heat that finished at 30 C the thought that came around was the importance of staying in the moment of the process or the present; neither looking back to what was nor being deluded into the illusion that there is a finish.  Each time we worry about the regrets of the past; or focus on the finish ahead thinking issues will be resolved we are deluded and miss the clarity of the present.  Stewardship of the precious present; gifted from God is after all the only reality that we in some sense control; ourselves and how we react in the present.  Training today then rather than focus on finishing 20k it was better to focus on the surroundings of the area where I walked; the sounds of a neighborhood waking for a new day at the end of the work week.  Early there is little outside the melody of the birds that changes as the sun rises higher in the sky.  Humanity then begins to come back to public life; fellow morning walkers appear; then vehicles; then sounds of lawn mowers.  All is interspersed with the sound and sight of squirrels running about. Internal sensitivity is also part of the present requiring awareness; the reactions of the body on this particular day to the new distances; to the differing heat and humidity; to the need to adjust the weight of the pack loaded for training within a pound of a full load on Camino.  With a sense of your own pacing and level of clarity the body tells you when to take on more water for the water lost through sweat.  The only reality over which we have some vision of control is the present.

I wonder then how living out the present faithfully to the principles we have come to call our personal ethic of conduct; not regretting or celebrating past nor dwelling on the glories or peril of the future that may come changes us.  Perhaps it changes how we participate in the continuous need for things like peace in society; equality and respect among people of all races and cultures.  There is no valid utopian vision of the future to be achieved; rather the need for each of us beginning with ourselves to stay in the process or processes that generate peace, equality; respect etc.  The teaching of Jesus does then not take us to a finish but rather becomes the tool of our stewardship of the precious present.

Just Bob

Training Reflection for July 5

Training the "Necessary" 

As one looks to the pilgrimage of El Camino de Santiago de Franco one source says training is helpful.  Leslie Gilmour suggests that though training is not absolutely needed one may enhance the experience beyond a lot of early pain by preparation; stands to reason.  Thus starting the day after retirement I added  physical training  to language training in preparation for what is to come.  The suggestion of the author was for twelve weeks of physical preparation; like most starting slowly and building.  Building in the heat of the South Carolina summer is no fun; but no training that I have experienced is ever fun; always simply necessary.  Physical training; walking significant distances prepares both the body and the mind; not just the body.  As you walk free of technology; meaning no head phones; you allow yourself to be open to contemplation.  Perhaps contemplation may be based upon devotional reading completed earlier; upon reflections on the sermon heard at the last sabbath; upon your own search for the true servant self that God has created in your life.  The prayer is that with both language and complete physical training the pilgrimage may yield the hope for which it is taken; always open to the possibility that God has surprises beyond what one may expect; in fact that may be the only certainty that in humility one may expect.  Training is necessary; no question; but not fun; also no question.

Just Bob

So Now What?

As this servant of the Christ enters an opportunity to re....tire the question arises for me as for all who come to this second or third phase of life: now what to serve God; what path does a steward of life given is now to be traveled? Forty days to be open to the one who is the source of life is the start for me and by this blog a process I would share with you; perhaps a way to serve while being open and trying to discern.  Now in training I begin the pilgrimage taken by many known as the Camino de Santiago de Frances starting out on August 22 from St. Jean Pied de Port. As wifi is able to be used each day my intent is to share thoughts; musings etc as well as pictures of the path.  You are invited to come with me through this blog.

Peace,

Just Bob

So Now What?

As this servant of the Christ enters an opportunity to re....tire the question arises for me as for all who come to this second or third phase of life: now what to serve God; what path does a steward of life given is now to be traveled? Forty days to be open to the one who is the source of life is the start for me and by this blog a process I would share with you; perhaps a way to serve while being open and trying to discern.  Now in training I begin the pilgrimage taken by many known as the Camino de Santiago de Frances starting out on August 22 from St. Jean Pied de Port. As wifi is able to be used each day my intent is to share thoughts; musings etc as well as pictures of the path.  You are invited to come with me through this blog.

Peace,

Just Bob

Rising From What?

"Wisconsin ELCA Congregation Rising from Painful Post-Assembly Conflict‏" is the title of the latest apology for the heresy of the decision to live outside of the norm of Scripture; the result of the CWA decisions last summer. The article put out by the news service of the ELCA attempts to be a story of conflict turned to renewal and renewal turned to a vision of an even stronger future. After reading the article one has to wonder who would be so naive as to find it encouraging; rather than tragic. All the conflict of the story arose when faithful disciples reacted as they will do when the truth of God is abdicated for the false views of the world. Granted the false view was endorsed by the ELCA at the CWA in words that from "Human Sexuality Gift and Trust"; but that does not change the error. It only brings into the question the continuing legitimacy of the ELCA as a valid expresssion of the Church catholic. Further granted that after some time some people who left the parish returned out of their love for community; but at the price of orthodoxy inflicted upon them by leaders who now stand in the judgement of Mark 9:42. Finally and left unsaid is, "What about those whose discipleship has been diminished or faith impaired who are now wandering without a shepherd because of this imposed heresy by the ELCA?" "What of the members who have been driven out permanently?" For now they have left a former expression of the Church and I pray they have again found a place; an expression of the Church where they may be fed in Word and Sacrament.

Until we reform the ELCA, so that this organization again is faithful to the "canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired Word of God and the authoritative source and norm of its proclamation, faith, and life" it remains only that; a diminished religious organization.
By God's grace may the ELCA beginning with each congregation and then each synod reform and return to Scripture. Only then will Pastor Sowell's words ring true, ""I am sure St. John is not only going to survive, it's going to thrive." Only then will any congregation, synod or the wider church thrive as God intends; as a community that is the body of Christ; an expression of the Church.

Peace

Pb

Where in Japan are Bob & Chris ? March 31

Bob and Chris are not in Japan. They are on the way back to Aiken, South Carolina. They are on the way home to the place where they love to live and to the people Pastor Bob loves to serve at St. Paul Lutheran church. They were humbled and blessed to be missionaries to the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church for this unique assignment from the South Carolina Synod. They are thankful for the guidance and support of so many people. They will always remember the loving guidance of Rev. Jerry and Janice Livingston. They treasured the loving cards and remembrances of those praying for them at St. John’s Charleston. They are thankful for the faithful service of Pastor Mark Cerniglia to St. Paul in Pastor Bob’s absence . Now with a deep love and respect for so many Japanese brothers and sisters they are no longer in Japan but in the air and on the way back to Aiken. While they are flying home I thought you might like some information about me; the one called Zen Ben. I am called Zen Ben because that was the name given to me by a wonderful little girl at St. Paul Aiken. But I have another name according to the historic legends of the Church. You may have noticed that even though I look like a Buddhist monk I don’t look very Japanese. I am pictured as a monk sitting in the beauty of nature; but I look more like someone from the Middle East than from Japan. The husband of one of the women Pastor Bob and Chris got to know in Shimizu, Japan knew my other identity and told his wife who then shared the information. He is a Buddhist who knows of my identity from his studies. There is a tradition based in history and perhaps legend that says I am one of those who followed Jesus and even saw him as the risen Christ. That is why I am not Japanese in appearance. I am one of the disciples who people believe took the Gospel to India and beyond after the resurrection of our Lord. I am the image of Thomas. I am the one you know from Scripture as the disciple who wanted proof, who got his proof from our Lord and took the Truth and shared the Good News of Jesus the Christ. So now you know my historic name, Thomas along with my reporting name, Zen Ben. If you want to see me again you may find me on the bottom of the Japanese scroll that Pastor Bob bought from a print shop in Kyoto in 1970. The scroll hangs in his office in Aiken, South Carolina. That is where you may find him very soon. He will be back in the office on April 6th and in worship on Easter serving a congregation that lives the truth written by one of South Carolina’s first missionaries to Japan. “Show me a congregation which is active in its work for mission, and I will show you a congregation which is blessed in its work at home.”Rev. R. B. Peery AM PhD. Pastor Bob will be back home serving and Chris will be worshipping with brothers and sisters active in their work for mission and blessed at home at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Aiken, South Carolina.

Keep praying,

Zen Ben or Thomas ?

Where in Japan are Bob & Chris ? March 23,24,25

“Heaven and Earth will pass away; but my words will not pass away.” Matt. 24:35. Bob and Chris were in Hirosaki, Japan on March 23-25 and were reminded of these words from Jesus in what they experienced in a brief return to the place where Bob came to know, respect and love Japan, its culture and its people. In 1970 as a student from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio Bob lived for a summer in Hirosaki, Japan in a home stay with the Miyakawa family. He was in Japan as part of the East Asia Studies program as it existed at the time at Wittenberg. Now almost 39 years later Bob was returning with Chris for a day and a half to see the Miyakawa family. In 1970 he came to know love and respect a family that was one of the leading families of Hirosaki, Japan. For three generations they owned the department store of Hirosaki. The building was three floors and sprawled over enough of an area to make it one of the largest buildings in the city. Near the department store was the Miyakawa home. It was a beautiful traditional Japanese home of corridors and richly painted panels surrounded by Japanese gardens. It was a beautiful home where one could simply ponder the beauty and the mystery of Japan while walking along the ponds and gardens. In the home lived three generations of Miyakawa. The first was Chuzo and his wife. Chuzo was the second generation to run the family business. He saw the store inherited from his father through some of its toughest times in the occupation after World War II. At one point the store was taken over by the Allied Occupation and made the headquarters for the US Army in this part of Japan. In 1970 Chuzo had turned over a thriving business to his oldest son and his wife Kikuyo. Kikuyo was an educated woman, a talented fashion designer. She was a tremendous asset to the family business. She was also the person given primary responsibility for hosting a college student from the United States; Bob. Kikuyo and her husband had two children. Shigeki was the oldest and was ten. He would one day take over the business from his father. Momoko was their daughter born on March 3rd the festival after which she was named “peach blossom”. Momoko was five in 1970. Bob & Chris came to Hirosaki this year and found a much different Miyakawa family. In 2009 only Momoko and her perfume shop remain as the legacy of Miyakawa in Hirosaki. Many things had passed away. In 1978 the family had a series of setbacks. The final result was the loss of the business and the tearing down of the historic department store. Today in its place is a parking lot. The building only remains as part of a display of models in a local museum of historic buildings of Hirosaki. The Miyakawa home was also lost in the financial aftermath of events. Today it is a fifteen story condominium. In 1985 ground was broken in the parking lot of the old department store for another condominium building. The lot had been retained and the condominium constructed by the Miyakawa family. Two apartments in that building comprised the homes of Kikuyo and her daughter Momoko. By the completion of the condominium in 1986 they were all that remained of the family in Hirosaki. Kikuyo’s husband died of cancer before the building was completed. Chuzo and his wife had died in the late 1970’s. Momoko’s brother Shigeki and her uncle had moved to Tokyo. The once proud and prosperous family business by 1986 was reduced to a perfume and small dress shop. Kikuyo was still known in the Aomori area and beyond as a fine fashion designer; but in 1996 Kikuyo began having health problems. She spent the next 10 years in and out of the hospital for weeks at a time. Momoko who had taught school after graduating from a local women’s college was now helping run the perfume and dress shop. Then in 2006 her uncle died of cancer and her mother Kikuyo entered the hospital for the last time. As Momoko cared for her dying mother and tried to run the shop she received the unexpected news that her brother had an asthma attack and had died in Tokyo. Leaving her mother’s bedside she returned to Tokyo to take charge of matters and then returned to Hirosaki where her mother, Kikuyo died about one month later. Bob & Chris visited a much different Miyakawa family in 2009 from the one Bob remembered. Today Momoko Miyakawa, a lovely lady; but a lady alone with some of her friends and those who remember her mother, is the Miyakawa family. Today there is no department store, or even fashion design business; but simply a pleasant little perfume store on the first floor of a condominium. It was a stark reminder to Bob and Chris; of the fragile nature of all things in this world. It was a reminder to them of one way to hear Jesus, “Heaven and Earth will pass away; but my words will not pass away.” Matt. 24:35. All things as we know them are temporary except the Word and the words he gave us as the living truth of God’s love. That is in a sense the very reason that Bob and Chris came to Japan for their short six month stay. It was to share the one Truth that does not go away and to see how that Truth is share by faithful servants in the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church. In a bitter sweet way Bob and Chris had a good visit with the Miyakawa family in Hirosaki; they spent a few days with Momoko Miyakawa and visited the grave site of those Bob remembered who with the family business have long since passed away. Close to the end of their time in Japan they were reminded of the reason they came in the first place; to share the one who said “My words will not pass away.”

Keep praying,

Zen Ben

Where in Japan are Bob & Chris? March 21 & 22

Bob and Chris were at their first youth meeting in Japan on March 21 and a children’s worship service on March 22nd. The first event was for all youth in the Sapporo area and met at Shin Sapporo Lutheran Church. The fun time included extended food preparation for a meal of Okonomiyaki and a desert of crepes and whipped cream as well as a devotion. The group meets once each month with the area Lutheran Pastors. The children’s worship service was the beginning of Sunday activities at Sapporo Lutheran Church. It was bright and early at 9:00 am. Worship was conducted by two members of the congregation and used a power point for the songs. Pastor Bob was asked to give a sermon to the children based upon the days Gospel of John 3:14-21. He did and as with many of his sermons to children he finished the main message by talking about candy and God. He of course had some candy to give out as a tangible illustration. He even gave instructions on how the eat the candy and dispose of the wrapper. When he asked the children what one should do with a wrapper from candy a little child maybe four years of age said they should take it home to put in the waste can. Pastor Bob was impressed that such a young child had been taught to be a good steward of God’s earth. He agreed and reminded the children to never put wrappers on God’s earth; but always in a waste can. Worship and preaching at Sapporo Lutheran Church for the regular service and a time of fellowship afterwards were fine events that completed the formal schedule for this Sunday.

Keep praying,

Zen Ben

Where in Japan are Bob & Chris? March 17

Bob and Chris were back in kindergarten for graduation on March 17. It was St. Patrick’s Day for the Irish; but it was a bigger day for the 22 children who would sing “goodbye dear kindergarten” at the end of their graduation. The class of 5 year olds graduated today form Mebae Kindergarten. This is a ministry of Sapporo Lutheran Church, Sapporo Japan. The children as well as those who will continue in the school the next semester now have a vacation of about three weeks. Then they will be back in school to start the new school year in April. The children who graduated will be moving up to grammar school. Bob and Chris were honored to be asked to attend this special ceremony for the children and the parents; especially those of the graduates. The ceremony included a worship service at the very beginning. Pastor Okada opened the worship service after the procession of graduates with prayer. A verse was read, hymns were sung, and a message was delivered by the principal. The students are mostly non Christian. A kindergarten associated with one of the JELC Lutheran Churches is a service to the entire community and an evangelical outreach at the same time. Though most of those in attendance were not believers they were part of this worship time in the graduation ceremony. In this way the church and the kindergarten are instruments of the Holy Spirit in sharing the Grace of God in Jesus Christ. Learning the stories of Good News and worship are a daily part of the educational process at the kindergarten. It was a special moment to hear the children sing “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.” and to ponder if one day they would be baptized?

Keep praying,

Zen Ben

Where in Japan are Bob & Chris ? March 12

Bob and Chris are now in Hokkaido the northern most island of Japan and in the city of Sapporo; host of the 1972 Winter Olympic Games. Hokkaido is the island of the Ainu; the native people who traded with Japanese and Russians and lived as an independent indigenous people until the Meji restoration that began in 1868. The island is today part of Japan; but remains distinctly different from the rest of the country. The land is open and expansive. It reminds one of the Midwest of the United States. The main crops are dairy products; potatoes and lamb. Horse breeding is done here. The people are independent free spirits who enjoy the beauty of the land and the independence it brings. Hokkaido is also the name of this district for the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church. This is the last stop on the exchange pastor program for Bob and Chris. In the Hokkaido District they will participate and serve in the ministry of the smallest district of the JELC consisting of eight chapels and four churches. Bob and Chris arrived in Sapporo on March 9th. They were met at the airport by the President of the District and the only female president in the JELC, Okada sensei. They will live at the parsonage of Shinn Sapporo Lutheran Church while in Sapporo. On March 12th Bob and Chris participated in the program of the Mebae Kindergarten at Sapporo Lutheran Church. Sapporo Lutheran Church as well as the kindergarten that is part of it was started by the work of Finnish Missionaries in 1934. The year after the church was established the kindergarten began in 1935. It was built with funds raised by the children of the Finland Lutheran Church. Today the kindergarten has an enrollment of about 45 students. The facilities are immaculate and seem to work extremely well in the program for the children. Bob and Chris participated in the morning worship program on March 12th by teaching the children in both English and Japanese. They began with introductions and lessons about South Carolina. They then taught a lesson on body parts as the beginning of a fun rendition of the Hokey Pokey. Their lesson finished when Bob gave a children’s sermon about God and candy. Before and after the program Bob and Chris enjoyed just being with the children and the teachers and participating in other activities such as clay play and finger crocheting. Bob even participated in skipping robe with the children. Fortunately there are no pictures of this activity. This was not the only day for Bob and Chris to be at Mebae Kindergarten. They have been invited back for graduation on March 17th. They are looking forward to this proud day for the children moving on the grammar school.

Keep praying,

Zen Ben