Let's Eat Our Weight In Chocolate

Mukogawa came and went in the blink of an eye. We started our only full day there (Tuesday) by putting together fliers and visiting the pier. That afternoon we went to a train station to hand out fliers for their upcoming English classes. It was a rainy and windy afternoon as we anticipated the typhoon!! The evening was spent with some of the younger church members playing games and hanging out. It was a very fun and relaxing evening, just what we needed! However we were a little disappointed that we just were getting to know people, and would have to leave the next day. The evening ended off with us craving a bit of western culture....late night McDonalds run! And off we skipped down the block excitedly cheering "Cheeseburger!!!"
Wednesday we had our first typical Japanese breakfast. It was huge, and accompanied by a bowl of rice. Not exactly our cup of cha, but hey, we're willing to try anything! We also learned that we survived the typhoon. In fact, we slept right through it. Oops. In all honesty, we were a little disappointed. That morning we joined the church for a morning worship service. Even though we couldn't understand what Takeda-sensei was saying, he was so animated that we couldn't take our eyes off of him. It was also Marilyn and Allen Bien's farewell party for teaching English, so following the service there was lunch and a party. It was moving to see the relationships that developed between the Bien's and their students, and to see how the Bien's have been spreading God's love in Japan.
After playing some games, the party came to a close. And so did our time at Mukogawa. Short and sweet. We are now in Hoshida, where us girls are staying with the Bien's, and Zach is a few minutes away staying with another family. The Bien's have already shown great hospitality, along with the church members we have met. Today we helped with a children's English class, joined an English class while they prepared lunch, and I joined a french class. It's been a good start!
Andrea tidbit: "Things are moving in Japan. It's slow, but like the Chris Tomlin song God of This City, "greater things are yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city.""
Also praise God for the energy he has been providing us with. We are starting to get quite tired, but yet when we need to serve somewhere, God is faithful to provide us with just the right amount of energy we need!

 Singing with some of the members of Mukogawa

 This is Guchi. He makes sure to remove his bling to attain proper Jenga skills. He also later bought us cheeseburgers. It was the next day when we were told he probably only came because he heard there were going to be foreign girls.

Guess who won?

 Rock Paper Scissors, Duel Style

For winning bingo, the man in charge handed out scratch lottery tickets. We lost.

 We wish we could have had more time here!

A few of the kids from the English class in Hoshida

Chocolate :)