March update #2

Last week we took the Welch family, visiting from Kansas, up to Kyoto for some first-hand culture intro.  We rarely go anywhere in Japan, so this was a real treat.  First stop was the Kodai Yuzen-en where we hand-made our own souvenirs.

Here we are, waiting to begin. It went rather quickly once we got started.  The artisans hand us each a brush with paint.  We fill in the holes on a stencil of the design.  Layer by layer we add color until the final one.

The foreground is a stencil awaiting color.  Mr. Welch is adding color to his stencil.

Sara and Emily are waiting for the final white color to be added by the artisan. They made inserts for a mug-cup.

I did this tiger on the back of a happi-coat (kimono style jacket) for Mr. Welch. 

Here's the finished product with black accent lines added--really good, huh?

Pastor Welch with his tiger coat. 

An artisan painting a design on kimono fabric which is 12 meters long by 18 inches wide set up on those rollers. 

We then visited Nijo Castle which was recently renovated.  This is the main gate--gorgeous colors and designs.

I think this is a plum in bloom.

Carp or koi fish in the moat.

The ever-present Engrish signs.  Self explanatory.

Not sure why we needed to, but there you have it.

The first sakura in bloom--a sure sign of spring in Japan.

February/March update

My, where has the time gone?  Weather-wise, it's been colder than usual, but Spring is coming.  Here's a couple of typical pictures last week.

Snow falling at 10:17 a.m. 3/21/14 

Sunshine at 10:18:18 a.m. 3/21/14   go figure---

Our Field Conference was the week of March 10 bringing the missionaries in Japan, both military and national, together that week. It coincided with the Japanese Bible Conference.   We renewed acquaintances and made some new friends.

Jeff Welch from Kansas preaching as Ron White interprets.

These two little ones were doing a duet on the piano. Looked like they knew what they were doing.

Here's Tim waiting with plate in hand for the signal to get some food. 

Karen and Timmy came with their parents to our church on 10/16 for a special meeting.  We normally don't have children for Sunday school, so we got out the toy box for them to play in.  You should have heard Karen's squeals of delight--it was so funny--they could be heard in the church room!

L to R - Mr. Wakimasu, Mr. Curley and Mr. Harris joined us.