Last summer, I went with a student and another guy to see some sumo wrestlers training together outside a local temple where they were staying. These were lower-ranking guys, but still pretty powerful, and interesting to watch up close. What’s surprising to some is that it’s not always the biggest wrestler who’s the most powerful.
Hi everyone,
Spring has come, which means it’s time for another one of my almost-quarterly JapanLog Newsletters. Please follow the link below to read and/or download:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_HFtReSrjVRREZ0MExiZ2tNcjg
Thanks,
– Robin
If I were more on-the-ball, these weekly photos would be more topical or seasonal. Maybe someday. In the meantime, here’s a random photo from May 2015, taken in my Japan “hometown,” Sayama City in Osaka prefecture. Way back in 2002, Sayama was my first home in Japan. It’s not very big or well-known, even in Japan. But it’s a lovely little suburban city, and it’s conveniently close to Osaka city. This photo was taken at Sayama Pond, and shows a typical shinto shrine out in the water, with the PL Tower (of the Perfect Liberty religious group) far-off in the background.
This photo was taken Ena, Gifu, back in November 2015. More specifically, it’s Achechi Station, where this little, old-fashioned one-car train still comes and goes. That’s my friend Makiko waiting for departure time.
Hi everyone,
This month’s photo is of our Global Partners / World Gospel Mission team in Tokyo, at the Immanuel Church annual conference. It was great catching up with Japanese pastors from around Japan as well as these fellow missionaries.
Spring is transition time in Japan, and since there are several pastors retiring this year, there are a lot of churches going through pastoral transitions. Please pray for these pastors and churches as they adjust to these changes.
As I mentioned last month, I’m starting a hiking ministry with a friend (Kenji) from my church. We’ve been to the mountains twice since then for our first couple of adventures. Please continue to pray for our safety and for God’s guidance as this new ministry takes shape.
This month, I’d especially appreciate your prayers for our English ministry event on Easter Sunday (4/16). Pray that many of my English students will come out to celebrate with us, connect with the church and hear about the Good News about Easter.
Here are some other dates to pray for in April:
4/7 — English Cafe
4/12 — Leading worship at Prayer Meeting
4/13 — Easter Brunch for one of our English Bible study groups
4/23 — My monthly English Bible Study
Thank you for your partnership with our mission in Japan through your faithful prayers and giving! You are much appreciated! Happy Easter!
– Robin