Here are some blog posts that we hope will make you feel a part of things, and help you understand how to pray better for us and Japan. Please see our external blog in Blogger, if this page does not display correctly.
Christmas Banner
December 2, 2007 05:50
| Christmas, Church, Ministry
| Permalink
Today at church we were thrilled to have a member bring two Christmas banners that she had handmade for us. They are gorgeous, represent many hours of work, and really liven up the front of our otherwise somewhat drab basement rental hall that we use as a sanctuary. What a great addition for the start of the Advent season! It's great to see church people stepping up and using their spiritual gifts
Thanksgiving Plate 2007
November 28, 2007 05:41
| Family, Thanksgiving
| Permalink
Thanksgiving in Japan this year at the Laverman home included this feast (mostly Kaori's handiwork, with a little help from the local KFC). Chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, biscuits, cole slaw, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie."Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits--who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,who redeems your life from the pit and crowns
"Post" Evangelism
You may have heard the term "pre-evangelism" before, but have you ever heard of "post" evangelism? In November, our church hosted an outreach made for Japan. One of our ladies in church is a gifted calligrapher. She taught a class on how to prepare the traditional yearend POSTCARDS using Japanese brush design! This type of Japanese calligraphy is very hard to emulate, much less read, when it is done
November Picnic
November 20, 2007 12:45
| Church, Ministry, Picnic
| Permalink
Who would have thought that late November would be a good time for a picnic? But that's exactly what we did as a church this past Sunday in a large park near us in Tokyo. The weather was a balmy 70f. Together with blue skies, lots of sunshine, and gorgeous fall leaves, it was the idyllic setting for a time of church community-building. We were surrounded by other families enjoying the day outdoors,
The Gulliver Complex
November 9, 2007 08:21
| America, Culture, Japan
| Permalink
I'm a giant again. Well, not really. But it sure feels like it again since returning from the States.The first sign was bumping my head in the shuttle bus from the airport. By habit, I normally duck my head through any doorway in Japan. Three weeks in the States eased the need for ducking, but now it looks like it is time to restart.The second doubletake was the size of the streets. I found myself
Reverse Culture Shock?
November 5, 2007 06:08
| America, Culture, Humor
| Permalink
Some lists during our Stateside stay:Pleasant surprises:* Being able to get out of either side when parked* Understanding 100% of a radio or TV program* Grass (lots of it, in front of almost every house!)* Trees (with beautiful colored leaves to boot)* Banana cream pie* Clothing sizes that fit* Parking in front of a store, instead of on topOddities:* Self-checkout at the grocery store (when did that
Back "Home" Again
October 22, 2007 11:56
| Family, Personal
| Permalink
We've arrived back in Indiana safe and sound for a couple weeks of needed break from ministry in Japan. Kaori was able to get a stamp in her visa that maintains her permanent residence in the States. We also learned that missionaries may be exempt from needing to return every two years to make this happen. Hmmm. We'll have to research that one a little more. No matter, we are grateful for the time
Everything is Possible with God!
October 8, 2007 10:16
| Ministry, People
| Permalink
“That house is a lost cause!” I thought, and hesitated in putting a church flyer in its mailbox. The home was literally in the shadow of a powerful Buddhist temple next door. Who could have known that a couple weeks later a woman would walk into our worship service and say, “I'd been thinking about Christianity when I received a flyer from this church.” Yes, as we'd later find out, she lived