Amysan

Our last day in Japan was spent at Richard’s home in Kashiwa.  After our 3 hr walk around Asakusa, our team took the train for about 40 minutes to his station.  Even though it was well after 6pm, it was still considered rush hour traffic.  We didn’t have seats on the train and many of us were tired from not having sat much during the day.  When we got off the train, we still had to take a bus to get to Richard’s home.  We were so exhausted that all of us plopped down on the curbside.  Richard looked at us and said… this is a sorry sight.  None of the Japanese people would ever do such a thing.   I looked up and saw that the Japanese people were lined up at the bus stop looking at us.  It is obvious why the Japanese people are so skinny!!

When we finally arrived at Richard’s home, we were greeted by a three floor MANSION (in comparison to all other typical Japanese housing).  It is the largest house in the neighbourhood and approximately 3000 sq ft of space.  Richard’s family is quite large – his wife and 5 children.  They live in this house and it contains plenty of space for them.  God was able to provide for their family when they were looking for housing that would be able to shelter them all.  We weren’t sure how an additional 9 people would be able to stay with them but when we had all settled down, we found that it was more than sufficient.  After having slept on futons the past week and a half, our team was so blessed to have such a good night’s rest right before we travelled back to the US.   In the morning, Richard made us breakfast.   There were eggs, yogurt, fresh fruit, sausage and bacon. But the best part of it was the french toast.  The bread in Japan is so fresh and fluffy – it smells AND tastes delicious.  Richard used farm fresh eggs and the fresh Japanese bread to make french toast for us. It was soooo good. 

We were so thankful for the Nakamuras for having opened up their home to us. They gave us a good night’s rest and filled our tummy’s.  Then they took us to the bus terminal where we caught a shuttle to the airport. 

At the airport, there is a mixture of feelings and emotions.   This trip was such an adventure.  I learned so much about Japan and about myself.  I was able to see God at work in so many different ways.  Part of me is ready to travel home and part of me is very sad to go.   It seems that most people on the team feel the same way. As we boarded the plane and got ready to fly, we kept asking one another – will you be back next year? Will you come back again?  If I can somehow fit it again into my work \ vacation schedule, I would love to come back again next year.  I will be praying about this – again trusting that God will make things work for me if it His will for me to go.