Friday, June 18


This morning we left about 10:00 or so and went to Wal-Mart in search of a wireless because I have seemed to have lost mine, which means I cannot connect to the internet. Anyway, the store did not have one less than $50, so we left and headed for NJ to meet the McMillans. This is a couple that has supported us personally for at least 20 years. Eileen is third-generation Japanese. 
When we arrived, the Pastor of their church and his wife had been invited for lunch so we all met in the living room. Eileen's mom was also there, but since she is hard of hearing, really did not say much. We had a wonderful lunch and talked for a long time.


 

After lunch the Pastor had to leave. We then went into the living room and talked some more. Eileen got out a box of items from her parents and grandparents. This box is an amazing collection of a family's history. Her family members were Christians in Japan; one of her great-grandfathers donated land for the church in Japan. They were part of the samurai class, I believe. At least they were somewhat wealthy at that time.

When part of the family moved to California, they were fishermen. So when the US government rounded up Japanese living near the coast and hauled them off to the camps, her grandfather was one of the first since he had his own boat. She showed us a couple of bags with the family name Shindo and an assigned number. While the Nazis tattooed numbers on their prisoners, the Americans just assigned a number they had to wear all the times. They were provided with housing for each family; similar to barracks, and some bare necessities. Her grandfather took up carving and she had several small birds he had done while in the camp. There were many photos of family members for several generations.


 

Her mom returned to Japan a few years ago to meet her sister who was turning 100 I think. It was written up in the local paper where three elderly sisters had met for the occasion. The one in Japan died at 105 not too long ago, if I remember right. It is such a rich family history, it would be great if Eileen can compile all the info and pictures there into a book. Such a thing could be used to show Japanese that a family can live for God.


 

We left there about 4:00 pm and returned to Clinton about 8:00 pm. Mary had fixed pizza and Dave and Terry Long came over also. The Gills and Longs had served in Nigeria for a number of years but had to leave because of the deteriorating conditions there. We had a good time of fellowship.


Sara, Anna Mae Gill and Anna Long all are born within three weeks of each other back in 1998. So the two Anna's gave Sara a Webkins horse and a stamping package for presents. (Which reminds me, we still have to get her a gift!).

Matthew and Joe finally came over after 11:00 pm while some of the household had gone to bed. They stayed till about midnight after eating some pizza and soda. Another day draws to a close.

Thursday, June 17



This morning I reminded Henry about meeting someone in NJ while we are in the area. He checked the calendar and discovered that we are due at Bethesda Baptist Church in Pottstown, PA, for a meeting tonight. They had rescheduled their mid-week service so we could meet them. We have not met Pastor Wexler as the previous pastor had resigned a few years ago. The last time we were there was on deputation over 20 years ago and the church has supported us faithfully since then.

We left about 2:30 pm and the traffic around the Beltway was so backed up during the middle of the day, it was a wonder where all the cars were going. What would have been a three hour trip took four hours due to so many cars. Then we had to pay tolls. Not a problem as they are cheaper than the ones in Japan, but the lines were backed up. Anyway once we got through that mess, we went to Pottstown and the church through some windy country-like roads. The church is in a different location on the rise of a hill with several acres of nicely-cut grass all around.
 

During this evening's service, Henry played the piano, then showed the presentation, fielded questions and gave a testimony on God's provision while we have been on the field. Everyone was very friendly and happy to see us. I gave the smaller children a Japanese nickel, which they were thrilled to have.
 

As we left the church we saw fireflies all over the place so Henry and Sara got out the video camera and started shooting. Then we drove down to the hotel which was about 30 minutes from the church. A very comfortable Comfort Inn.

Wednesday, June 16



We left the Ferrells about mid-morning and headed for
Goldsboro, SC, a little south of there to meet Merry Sensing.  She is from Okinawa and we have corresponded with her for over 16 years.  We finally got to meet.  She works in a small interior decorating place called Anderson Interiors.   Merry holds Bible studies for some of the Japanese ladies in the area.   We have written her testimony in Japanese and distributed it in a tract.  She has been a blessing to us.  Her husband is former military and is not yet saved.

 After lunch we had to head to Virginia for a meeting in Woodbridge, south of DC and north of Fredericksburg. We got to the church about 6:30 pm due to traffic congestion through Richmond. After setting up the display and getting the presentation all arranged, services started. Henry showed the DVD, then answered some questions and then preached a short message. After the service we drove over to Clinton, MD.


 

Traffic. For all the years I have been in the DC area, the governments have still not gotten the roads right. There is always, always construction going on and traffic backups, even at 9:30 p.m. When we got across the expanded Wilson Bridge, traffic slowed down about a mile before our exit for not visable reason. Most distressing, but, then again, this is DC. Things do not change much here.


 

It was good to get back to our old stomping grounds. For the next couple of weeks we are staying with Ken and Mary and Anna Mae Gill right near our church.

Tuesday, June 15


About 10 a.m. we left the hotel and went to see where Stephen works. It is a new building in downtown Greenville. It is blue (my favorite color) and modern in design. The entrance has metal panels with holes in them that remind me of steel shelving. The building is literally a warehouse. The lobby had a monitor-type list of companies; most if not all, in the tech field. The interior walls are of a plastic that you can write on with a white-board marker. There are two floors with open ceilings. The Gnoso offices are in one corner of the top floor. We walked to the right and went to the first of the offices and met each of the employees. One of the rooms had a tennis table set up and on the wall were scores written. Nice, unique. The company is doing well after just three years in business.


 

We said goodbye to Stephen shortly thereafter, and headed up to NC. When we got into NC, I noticed that the median strips between the highways was nicely landscaped in places where overpasses were. The state has taken the time to plant tons of lilies in mostly yellow and orange along their highways, and have kept the grass cut. It is such a beautiful trip through there. Other states should take note. Anyway, we got to Farmville where we stayed with Woody and Deane Ferrell, now in their upper 80's. Mrs. Ferrell led me to the Lord back in 1975. Both have long since retired and are still active in their home church doing nursing home ministry. It was so good to see them. Mrs. Ferrell needs to have a heart valve replaced and is to see a specialist soon. Her skin is paper-thin and her arms are discolored from taking blood thinners she said. They insisted we stay the night which we did. We watched a baseball game between the Marlins and Texas. The husband of their granddaughter plays for Texas and is a good player; he scored the first on-base hit and the team eventually won the game. 


Monday, June 14


This van is a rolling advertisement for the US Marines.

This morning we left Lakeland and headed for South Carolina. We headed East toward I-95, passing through Orlando where there is Disney World, Sea World and various other entertainment places that have entrance fees upwards of $80 a person. We decided to skip all that.   

Here is a unique water tower in South Carolina.


 

We got up to Greenville and checked into a Best Western near the airport. Stephen met us, then we decided to go to Outback Steakhouse for dinner. We each got something different and shared. Sara wanted chicken fingers again, and the rest of us shared our steak and seafood. The pumpernickel bread was good as well as that onion flower they serve as an appetizer. Yumm


 

After dinner Steve took us over to where he lives with four or five other guys; we met two of them who were home. It was a bachelors' pad, but rather clean as those things go. Shortly thereafter we returned to the hotel, Henry and Stephen went out for a time together. Turns out they ended up at a book store and purchased a couple of them.

Sunday, June 13


We went to the morning church service at Calvary Baptist Church. We were met by two lovely ladies who took us inside and one took Sara to her class and another man showed us ur class. In the morning service, a guest speaker spoke about giving God's word to people around the world. He collects the quarters people give him and purchases Bibles in all languages. 
For the evening service we went with Rob and Mary to another local Baptist Church where Rob was making a presentation about Gideon International, of which he is a representative.  He told how his uncle in WWII was in a foxhole and was wondering if he had dug it deep enough. He took out a pocket NT and soon came to Christ. It was a Gideon Bible. His uncle went on to serve God faithfully for several decades as a pastor and preacher.


Rob related another true story of a man who was in a deep depression and was contemplating ending life in a hotel room. He found the Gideon Bible and also got right with God and has served Him since. One never knows how many people will be touched by Gideon Bibles.

Saturday, June 12



 

We decided to go to Tampa to a place called Mosi which is a hands-on science museum geared toward kids. It was quite interesting, actually. We first saw the butterfly room and learned that the monarchs only live two weeks. There were not that many butterflies about, though.

An example of how a tornado forms
 

Another section was on natural disasters where you could "experience" an earthquake, hurricane, wildfires and the like. I stood in the room for the earthquake. The floor shook; although realistic, it did not last long enough and nothing fell off the walls. I gave it an 8. Sara seemed to like it, but got bored after a couple of hours, so we headed home.