Ward Wanderings

Spring has come to Kobe

Red and white roses planted in honor of daughters Sara and Teresa.

Our Japanese cheery tree--delicate pink flowers-- so pretty

A flowering plum tree in the neighborhood

More photos from KIBBS graduation

Mrs. Yoshida is a new mom of twin boys--strapped on in two separate carriers.

I gave Erika a graduation quilt.

This little gal is named Yukikaze--snow wind.

Joshua has the biggest blue eyes and smallest mouth--so cute! Sara put him to sleep in minutes.

The Johnsons came over for dinner on Saturday with their four kids who you can tell were all cut from the same cloth.. 😋😊😊

Last week marked the 50th Anniversary of the Kansai Independent Baptist Bible School here in the Kobe/Akashi area. There were three graduates, about 200 graduates in attendance and bunches of flowers, plaques, and certificates to go around.

Dan and Terry Gardner were recognized for the construction work they were in charge of over the years.

Mssrs Marcum, White, Ogawa, Yoshimoto, Wakimasu and Murakami, the Presidents of the School over the years. Mr. Sisk was not able to attend.

Don Sisk had a video message to give to everyone.

Yoshimoto-sensei

Sara with Mr. and Mrs. Omote

Yuuki Fukumoto, the four-year graduate

Henry and Mr. Mawatari from Nishimaiko

Graduate Erika Hanamine

KIBBS 50th Anniversary

The week of March 13-17 was the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Kansai Independent Baptist Bible School in Japan. Here are some highlights.

Pastor Ogawa was a graduate of the school in the early years. He has pastored the same church for 50 years in Osaka

Ron White was one of the three BIMI missionaries that founded the school in 1967 with about six students. They all became either pastors or missionaries.

This cross quilt was made by me and given to one of the graduates who will pastor a church on the island of Kyushu.

This year there were three graduates; two men and a young lady.

Six of the seven Presidents of the School were honored at a banquet on Friday.

My friend Betsy

Received word today, Feb. 24, that my friend Betsy Finley had gone to heaven after a short illness. She caught the flu back in January and it progressed to pneumonia, then went onto attack her organs and brain and was diagnosed with herpes encephalitis and worsened from there. She was in a coma for four weeks with little response to medication and whatever the doctors could do for her. It is very sad that she has passed, but I know someday we shall meet again in heaven. I thank the Lord that we knew each other. I'd like to share this one story.

Betsy Hubbs and I shared a house along with her sister, Susie, and another friend, Judy, back in 1982-1983 before we both married. Betsy was dating Wayne, who was in the Air Force, I believe, while I was dating Henry. Everyone in the church expected both of us to announce engagements anytime. On May 7, 1983, there was the annual senior banquet at the Independent Baptist Academy where Betsy and Henry were teachers. Couples got their photos taken to mark the event.

After the banquet Henry took me to a restaurant for dessert and asked me to marry him and he gave me a beautiful ring. Of course, I said "Yes!". When he dropped me off at the house, Betsy said that Wayne had given her a ring. We were both so excited. The next day was Mother's Day at church. Betsy and I sang in the choir alto section and stood next to each other. We were comparing rings and grinning 😀. After the Mother's Day presentations, Pastor Pat Creed read Henry and my's wedding announcement, a surprise to the entire church. We set the date for July 16, 1983. Betsy and Wayne married on December 17, 1983.

We kept in touch through the years sending each other photos of our children. We got to meet her again in 2015 on our last furlough driving through Missouri. Wayne was not there as he got a call that his sister was sick, so he went to see her. It was a sheer pleasure to have known Betsy and Wayne. May God bless their family.

Betsy and Wayne

notice how similar these photos are?

Celeste and Henry

Male Pheasants show up once again

These are one of the most beautiful birds in God's creation, but they do have a very harsh honk. These brothers are about 3-4 years old. A few years ago I saw a brood with the mother bird and have watched these guys mature into what they are today.

The one behind is standing on a cement retaining wall next to the road and opposite the neighbors wall you can see. When a car came by, it got scared, honked and flew off to another field, The one in front stayed around a while longer.

Where'd that guy go?

A Japanese Funeral

Two weeks ago, the mom of a church member, she was 92, died and Henry was asked to do the funeral the next day. We don't really know if the mom was a Christian, though her daughter asked prayer for her every week and kept us informed of her condition. She had been in a home for 3-4 years. Her family did not object to a Christian funeral.

It was the first time for me to go to the crematorium, but Henry's been there several times. The drive into the place was beautifully landscaped, almost like a park. Then you come upon the round building with smoke pouring out the roof. It was overcast and drizzling. There were several funerals going on at the same time and more to come in the afternoon. We saw several hearses drive in and out.

There were two Buddhist funerals going on at the same time on either side of us. The circular hall was divided into three sections, possibly four, as I could not see directly opposite. Each part had 5 small doors that the coffins were put in, and ours was the fourth coffin that day to be inserted. This was about noon.

After Henry prayed for the family, we all left and went to an adjacent building for lunch and wait three hours until the family could then go and pick out some bones to keep and put in an urn. We did not stay for that part of it.

Funerals are very sad indeed. Christian funerals have the hope of seeing the loved one in heaven if that person had accepted Christ as their Savior. We are praying more Japanese will have the hope of eternal life.

Henry's Wrist Update

At 1/31/17 therapy, doctor removed splint and bandage. He said dissolving stitches are on the inside. The bumps are from the tape that held the skin together. DH still moves the wrist daily and actually played piano in church 2/1/17. He said that felt good. His arm is very warm and was told not to lift anything heavy for now. It is healing. Praise the Lord.

Latest Quilting projects

This elephant has its problems, but it got done in 5 days; very colorful.

The label

The scrappy back. It's a large lap size; not quite bed size.

Row by Row from 2015: Quilting Sew Easy in Gaffney, SC; Orchard's Edge Quilt Shop, Bayfield, WI; and Quilter's Alley in Paducah, KY

Quilt and Sew in Katy, TX, the easiest one yet! The houses are a print and the shop quilted their name on the purple fabric--three seams--so easy. Love it.

Church Sunday

There were 12 in church on January 29. Mrs. Maeda was new and came with member Mrs. Matsunaga. Mrs. Hirose came again; she's a friend of member Mrs. Tanaka. Baby Ryuri brought his mom 😀. Mrs. Komai and son Ryosei came, as well as Mrs. Akamatsu from the local nursing home.