We are really really excited that we will have Lydia Smith, from our home church in VA staying with us for the next several months while she serves on the team here. Lydia is an amazing girl, from an awesome family, and we are thrilled to get to know her better and see what God will do in her and through her in her time here.
Lydia came for about 10 days for CPI in November of 2007. Here’s a photo of us with the team from our church (Lydia is standing to the left of Eric).
I am not quite sure what Eric is doing in this photo...
Ah man, I really miss these guys! I wish they were all coming back to live with us with Lydia… 
Anyway, would you all join us in praying for her as she is flying even now and will be here shortly? Pray that her time here would be fruitful personally and for God’s work in Japan. Pray that God would lead her for the future as she has college ahead of her after this. Pray that God would give her good friends, and that he would use us in even a small way to be a comfort to her as I am sure she will miss her big, fun family. And pray for her parents as they have just sent their oldest across the world for several months. I can imagine that must be hard but exhilarating (you know, being excited for her and for how God has led her and been faithful to them as parents). Thank you!
I am sure you will hear a lot about Lydia on here from now on. We’ve been working on her room this last week (the room that used to be our “office/throw-everything-that-doesn’t-have-a-place-room”) so Noa has been showing everyone who comes over “Leeeya’s” room. I know we will all love having her around!
On Saturday we celebrated the engagement ceremony of our dear friend Ai-chan to Jason Kueh. The whole day was such a joyful experience of God’s love poured out onto his children, especially these two precious people as they prepare to reflect Him in their marriage. We were so thankful to get to be a part of the day, and that we will still be in Japan for their wedding in July.
Engagement ceremonies are ceremonies to announce and celebrate a couple’s intention of marriage. In the Christian church it is a worship service including the couple’s “vows” of intention. Eric and I also had an engagement ceremony when we came to visit Japan together the winter that we were engaged. It was nostalgic and special to be at one again.
I had a great morning with two of my closest friends here, Ai and Chi-chan, at the beauty parlor where she had her hair done and her Kimoni put on (Yes, you have to have it professionally put on, or at least put on by someone who is certified in putting them on. It takes a lot of work!)
Beautiful Ai:
Ai-chan wore a beautiful kimono with the long sleeves that indicate she is an unmarried woman. This was the last time she could wear one like that. She looked absolutely stunning in it.
The soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. Jason Kueh:
During the ceremony:
Stating their intentions of marriage:
They sat with Ai’s parents who came down from Nagoya for the ceremony. It was fun because Jason had a few people planning this and her parents ready to come down a few weeks ago without Ai knowing. When he proposed and she said yes at the beginning of this month, everything was well on the way to being ready for this special day.
The food and decorations were wonderful!
Ai’s parents and her older brother who was also able to make it:
Look at this fun couple! I pray that they have many many years of laughter together!
Some of the cutest girls ever: The Yonemoto sisters and their “adopted sister”:
The Tsuka-Yone-moto families
Would you pray with us for these dear friends as they prepare for the awesome adventure of marriage. Jason will head back to seminary in Philly at the end of this month, and they will be apart for almost the rest of their engagement. They plan to live in Japan for a bit after they are married in July and then live in the states while Jason finishes school. After that, I believe they hope and plan to be in Japan. Would you pray that God would use them mightily for his kingdom here, especially as they become one and begin their covenant family.
Jason and Ai~ We love you two and are so thrilled for you! Know that you are in our prayers and we look with anticipation to what the Lord will continue to do in and through you, as individuals and as a couple. May he be glorified and you be blessed! “Gambate” these next months of being apart and preparing for your marriage!
I have been meaning to post this for a while but just haven’t gotten around to it. We had a blast celebrating Christmas here in Japan and it was so exciting to see the ways that God was working. He is so good. Here are some photos and highlights from the season:
Translation Appreciation Dinner
The school threw a dinner to show appreciation for the many people who translated an Astronomy textbook for the elementary classes. It has been wonderful for all the elementary kids (in both the English and Japanese tracks) to get to take this class together this year. We are so thankful for the many people who used their time and gifts to make it possible. It was a festive night of celebrating, and even getting to hear a talk by a visiting professor of Astronomy. We had a great time helping to prepare and serve the dinner, as well as enjoying the festive atmosphere with friends.
Elementary Kids’ Christmas Party
We really had fun one Friday after school, having all the elementary students over for a Christmas party. We are so thankful that God has not only called these children’s parents into ministry here in Japan, but that he has called each one them too. Eric really enjoys getting to teach these kids, and the girls and I always have a great time when we get to hang out too. Noa LOVES going to the school over lunch break. We actually watched the movie (the Polar Express) in Japanese since most of the kids are bilingual or trilingual anyway. It was such a fun afternoon.
Toke Kids’ Christmas Party
It was so fun to help our friends, the Nagata’s throw a Christmas party one Sunday morning for the kids in their neighborhood. We sang, played games, made crafts, they heard the Christmas story, and Santa Clause even showed up again this year (but Eric made me promise not to post photos of that part).
Sumodon Christmas Party
We had a great time at the Sumodon (our Church’s young adults group) Christmas party. Me and several friends made homemade pizza for the evening and had a ton of fun getting ready. The party was a blast and we met so many new people, many who came to the church building for the first time.
Other fun stuff
We had our last Moms’ and Kids’ club of the year and I was so encouraged to realize what a great community of moms we have who come regularly. I am so excited for our meetings in this new year. This is Noa with her friend Mirai whose mom helps to run Moms’ and Kids’.Noa calls him “Rai Rai” and they are good friends.
My friend Chizuka teaches hip hop dance classes and her students had their first recital on the 23rd. It was so exciting to finally get to watch these kids who we pray for together and to see them dancing their little hearts out to worship music. I am so excited that they have Chizuka in their lives and I can’t wait to see how the Lord continues to use her gifts and love for kids for His kingdom here in Japan.
I got to visit with my dear childhood friend, Sayaka, and her mom on the 26th. She is an airline stewardess so we don’t get to see eachother often, but it was such a treat to get together for coffee at my mom’s on the 26th.
And some Sister Sweetness (for good measure):
We had a fabulous time a few weekends ago, remembering Christ’s birth through acting out the nativity story with the students from school. Thank you for praying, and please continue to pray with us that many were touched and realized the true miracle of Christmas.
The heavenly host, appearing to the shepherds (and animals):
The Hallelujah Chorus, worshipping the newborn King:
The star that led the wise men:
Carpenter Joseph (aka Eric) worked really hard on this star this last week and I am really impressed with how it turned out
Wise Guys Men:
Shepherdesses:
It is so exciting to me that this, Noa’s third Christmas, is probably the first year she will begin to understand that Christmas is about Jesus’ birth. We have loved playing with Nativity sets and reading books, and talking all about Baby Jesus. Last week, when looking at gifts under a tree she said to my sister, “Baby Jesus, present. Died on the cross.” It’s been so exciting to see her make the connection between the Baby in the manger, and the Man on the cross. May the Holy Spirit continue to make the story of salvation real in her heart.
She loved watching the Nativity, her favorite part being when the “Angels say Ha-ye-yu-ya!!!” She came up right away after it to check out the baby Mama was holding and realized it was one of hers! (Hope that wasn’t too confusing to her!)
Merry Christmas!!
It rained hard last night, but minutes before the storm started we were able to move the set into the church building. Many people came out despite the bad weather to see the nativity drama. Praise the Lord! We are praying that many will come tonight and that we will be able to have the nativity outside.
In case you are wondering what the Living Nativity drama is, here is a video of last year’s play. The narration is in Japanese, but it is taken mainly from Luke 2.
It’s that time of year again!
CCSI will put be putting on “A Living Nativity” tonight and tomorrow, twice each evening. Please pray that the Lord would use this to show many people the miracle of Christ’s birth and the salvation available through Him. Please also pray that it wouldn’t rain tonight. The weather says 70% chance, but we know our God isn’t a God of chances, right?
