Posting in Haste!

I’m not sure how much time I’m going to have after today (Monday) to blog, so here is a quickie post.

Our team debriefing on Saturday was very good. We were given a couple hours for each person to sit on their own and think about what we have learned about Japan, about missions, and our own spiritual growth during this trip. Then we came together to discuss our experience and prepare our hearts for “reentry” to normal life.

In forty minutes Romi and I will be catching a train to the airport in Tokyo, there to say good-bye to the Kellers, Mariah and Evan. Then we will welcome the teen team from HHBC. We will proceed from there to a hotel near Mount Fujii, which we will attempt to climb on Tuesday. I’m packing my snow parka and taking my oxygen tank, as I understand that the summit is in the upper stratosphere and covered with snow. I fully expect to see a yak or two and maybe some snow bunnies bounding across the snow. I will carefully log all the wildlife I observe for blogification later. On Wednesday the teens will tour Tokyo while Romi and I return by train to the camp in order to buy enough food to feed an army for 10 days and fireworks for 4th of July fun! Hopefully we will also have time to help Mrs. Takahashi clean and set up the camp facilities as well. Then we will welcome the teens to this beautiful setting and put them to work the next day. There is a lot to be done around the camp and also in helping out some nearby churches.

I’m sad to see my team leave, but my heart is here! I’m so excited to be able to help with the Nippon Initiative’s high school trip! I’ve had a wonderful experience in Japan for the last month and I’m can’t wait to see what God has in store for me here in the future.

-Elsbeth