The Lone Blogger

I’m back at the camp now! Romi and I spent yesterday with the teens climbing Mount Fuji! A few people, including myself, only climbed part way. The majority of the group climbed from the fifth station to the eighth station, which is a grueling 5 hour hike. (The fifth station is the last level that can be driven to and is a good starting point for people who don’t want to hike the whole mountain.) Those of us who stayed behind had a neat opportunity to talk to some Japanese junior high students. The whole school was there and they were going to hike to the top in two days. They were very excited to talk to us even in broken English. Some girls asked Leah, Hillary, Katie and I if we had boyfriends and were excited to share that they did! I also learned that they like Spider Man and Pirates of the Caribbean a lot!

Here are some pictures:

Setting out from the fifth station

The trail's beginning

Keeping up a good pace

The mountain side

Pastor Doug runs up Mount Fujii

Great beauty

Making new friends

Waiting for the rest of the team

Praise God for a safe and fun day!

-Elsbeth

Last Events

The past few days we have managed to cram a whole lot in before we had to say goodbye to everyone here in Japan. We met some delightful Korean and Japanese students in Kariuzawa who are learning English and being discipled and spent a few days up at the camp in Koriyama where the Takahashi’s are serving. Some of our friends had a marshmallow roast and firework send-off for us one night, complete with heart-felt expressions of their appreciation for our time in Japan. It was a bit emotional, even through the interpreter, to hear how much our visit has meant to them as believers.

We had opportunity to be fitted in a Kimono; welcomed Doug to Japan as he prepares for the teens arrival and ministry this month; worshiped with Pastor Tajima and his flock; and had to say goodbye to our dear friends Romi, the Ojhi’s; and so many others.

It was hard to choose which pictures to share, but hope these few will give you a sense of how much we appreciated your prayers and support of us while in Japan. (There is one more photo on our personal blog site you will want to view.) We have made it safely home and are hoping for a little sleep the next few days. Pray for the people of Japan, and the many university students there who have no hope.

Airport goodbyes with Romi

Singing around the fire at the camp in Koriyama
A few smores for our dear friends
Mana roasts three marshmallows all at once!
Mariah writes her name in the sky with a flare!
Doug tries song leading with fireworks.

Mrs. Takahashi

Our expert cricket smasher and extracter - Mariah Rose Romi's Cactus
Expert kitchen servants
A view at camp

A dear sister in Christ who makes Kimonos.
Sharon - Japanese style
Ken O. teaches Sharon origami
New friends in Kariuzawa
Lanterns hanging in the train station for their next holiday - hanging wishes and prayers

How beautiful are the feet of those who spread Good News!

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