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 @ Denen 2007
We've been enjoying the opportunities the Christmas holiday provides in Japan for sharing the Gospel with Japanese. Japanese are spiritually open, but very unaware of the meaning of Christmas. It truly is remarkable to me that millions of Japanese haven't any idea that Christmas has anything to do with the birth of Christ! It is a secular holiday in Japan, completely devoid of any religious significance.
Caroling
Today we had a great time together as a church caroling for a nearby retirement home for their Christmas party. This is the second year that we've visited with them. The quality of care in Japan is very excellent, but it was easy to tell that many were in great need of personal touch and attention. And all of them were in need of the hope of eternal life, forgiveness and peace. It was great to share
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