Yesterday's walk about of delivering invitations to our Ladies' Christmas Luncheon, was a treat. The Fall sky was a beautiful, clear blue and the sun was a nice warming experience before the cold weather predicted for today.
One friend, Mrs. TS whom I hadn't had a real conversation with for years, since our children had started school and she got a job, was in town just for the day! She has practically moved to Sendai, on the other side of the mountains, to help her daughter with her children. She said she might be able to come to the luncheon this year, for the first time ever! Please pray that she will come. SaraJean Lauer, the daughter of our missionaries in Yamamoto Cho (Town) on the Pacific Coast, will bring a short message at the party, and I am so eager for my friends to hear her.
The next neighbor I saw, Mrs. YF, has almost become a recluse. She had cancer a couple years ago, and hasn't wanted to meet people ever since. When I went in the house, she hugged me (not a common Japanese gesture). But when I asked if she would come to our party, she looked troubled and said probably not. Please pray that I will make more effort to visit her.
I must tell you about the cooking class we had at the end of October. First of all, more people came than ever before. Usually five or six show up. This time we had 13! There were six new people; three of these were neighbors. One recently retired from her job, another lives right behind us, and a third was brought by a regular who met her at a gym. That new lady came to our Fall Bazaar and asked if she could just drop by sometimes!
At the cooking class, we have a short devotional, while the dish for the day (Pear Tea bread and Hungarian Potato Soup) is baking or simmering or cooling, etc.. I had asked our Circle members (three of them) to take turns sharing a Bible verse and their testimonies at the cooking class. (Talking to others about their faith or even their own opinions is hard in this culture, an influence of Confucianism on education in the home and in the school. Christians need practice.)) It was Mrs. AA's turn to share. She related what the pastor (Kaz, of course) had said in his sermon that week. It is very encouraging to know that people are listening and using what the Lord is teaching them each Sunday morning. She is a great support to us.
Thank you for your interest in and prayers for the Lord's work in Yamagata. Thank God with us that He is still using us to tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love.
Kaz and Katie Yaegashi