In addition to the wonderful food and company (language learning environment) we meet a young man who is very interested in Astronomy. Here is his Facebook page with many fantastic pictures he takes some in his backyard here in Kumamoto (which is amazing given the fog/smog conditions here) some on Mt Fuji near Tokyo.
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/p2k5_net
He would love to have an Astronomy club in this area but unaware of one. I am trying to look one up and maybe join him at some events.
We rode our bikes here with the sisters then afterwards Luetta and I rode to the river to get in a good bike ride.
On the way back we passed a Christian Church with fantastic stained glass windows, which this picture doesn't show well at all.
To cap off a wonderful day we came across a well know ice cream store and had a cone each. They were quite expensive but very enjoyable.
Tuesday was busy with many missionary activities. It started with a new Japanese Tutor, Kent Johnson, who had taught us a lot while we are at the MTC language immersion weeks. We are excited to be able to learn from him more. Wednesday at the International Center we started our first English class here teaching two (three next week) employee's They seemed to enjoy the class, but are more advanced that the beginning level we started with to see how good their English was. We will try the intermediate level next week. The mission gave us permission to use the church manual for these classes. We also had an interesting Japanese class, with a substitute teacher. Our normal teacher, who is part of a male chorus here, was in Italy as his chorus is singing at the Vatican. As far as we can tell this group is not a christian group so it is very interesting. He sings in Latin and other languages. Our substitute teach departed from the Katagana alphabet to introduce a large number of new words to us that we are busy trying to memorize this week.
Thursday was Zone Meeting, which was about the reason of missionary work. It was stated that we all know and every day if full of the means of missionary work, but we should not ever lose sight of the reason, which is LOVE. One of the activities was to list all those that we loved, Luetta and I felt so blessed as there was not enough time to list all those that we love so much at home and here now. Truely it is this love that motivates us to help others discover the joy that we know through the gospel. Topping that list is our Family.
Here is another picture from our balcony which echos the reason which is the beauty of the world that shows God's love for us.
After Zone meeting we had a picnic on the grass by the river in front of the Kumamoto Castle. We enjoyed these turtles sunning themselves on a rock. We have never seen turtles on the river before so we wonder if they are just coming out of hiberation during the winter.
Then the took a long drive to the west side of Kyushu Island (this is the fairly large Island that makes up most of Fukuoka mission) to inspect a missionary apartment in Sasebo. Here are some photos along the way.
The Elders got a celestial rating on their apartment so we took them out for lunch. Here we are at Kabob Stand+, serving awesome kabobs.
An interesting feature of the Toyoko Inn where we stayed is the elevator parking garage, you drive in (pointing forward) and they close the door and it goes up into the tower. When you return for your car they put in the number of your parking stall and the car is rotated back to the entrance, pointing outwards. An amazing use of small spaces.
We certainly love being here in Japan. Our love for the people we meet here and our family back at home and around the world keeps us going. This blog brings our love you all.
Love to you both from China! :)
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