Des is the End. Des.

Currently we are sitting in anticipation for a new Japanese cultural experience. TYPHOON!! Apparently there is one on it's way and should hit around tomorrow afternoon. All day yesterday it rained, and today is much of the same plus the wind is starting up. It feels like Manitoba weather! (The picture we took at the pier today is what we will probably look like once it arrives).
Since our last blog post, we have moved on from Sakai-Chuo in Osaka, to Mukogawa (last night we arrived). It was very bittersweet, as we are excited to spend time at new churches, but will also really miss our friends and Japanese family at Osaka. Some of the things we had the opportunity of helping out with at Sakai-Chuo were a ladies morning/lunch, a children's english class, a couple of youth/young people's evenings and the church service Sunday morning. A couple of these evenings involved us cooking for the group which was an adventure of it's own. Tacos went over really well, but for scalloped potatoes, we couldn't find a lot of the ingredients. So it became our own creation, "Japenno Mash: Osaka Style". It went over great, so don't worry, we are bringing it back to Canada with us. The hospitality we felt there was incredible, and we came to really love the people. We were so encouraged by them, and could clearly see God at work in their lives. Please continue to pray for this church and how God will use it to reach out to the people of Osaka.
Our last couple of days there we had the opportunity to again go to families homes for supper as well as spend an evening at the Onsen (Japanese public baths). There's nothing like sitting in a bath with a bunch of women while watching Harry Potter dubbed in Japanese.
Our last day there, Monday, we got to spend the whole day with Yuri, Hikaru and Yuka, some friends we made at the church. Another missionary from Canada, Doris Goertz, also joined us for the morning and lunch. We spent the morning at a huge aquarium, which had just as many people as fish. It was a national holiday in Japan, Ocean's day, so the crowds were unreal! For lunch we went to a buffet restaurant where you fry everything at your table. Of course, we pretty much ate our weight in food as it was so delicious! After, us girls worked off the chocolate fondue by....shopping! Zach was spared, and taken to Osaka Castle by Hikaru. After a supper of Ramen, Hikaru drove us out to Mukogawa. And here we are! The "okashii" Canadians/American.

 A meal where you catch your noodles as they slide down a bamboo shoot in water.

Taking a "Canadian Style" picture

Dutch Blitz has officially landed in Japan

After the church service, being presented with our beautiful Yukatas.

A few of the many people we will miss!

 Naomi and Yuri

 Byungjun

 Hikaru

 Aiko

Kazu (Zach's new best bud)

Sugi-Sensei and his family (minus one)