Day 5 - March 30 - A Day out with old friends

I started out today by being at the Japan Mission prayer time (briefly) and was reminded of our weekly time of sharing and prayer that I was involved in for so many years here. It brought by precious memories.

The team has changed a little, but the purpose remains the same. To reach Japanese with the Gospel of Jesus

As we look over our 11+ years in Japan, we are amazed at the number of friends God has brought our way during that time, many of whom are still in Japan, serving the Lord today.

Taz & Christine Oliver are one such couple. I used to work out with Taz on a Wednesday morning each week before my Japanese language class and it was great just to encourage each other in the Lord while seeking to get some exercise at the same time.

Sometimes we give the impression as missionaries, that we are super-human or somehow above 'ordinary' Christians, and yet, having lived in Japan for more than 11 years as a missionary myself, I realized that I had exactly the same needs as a Christian living anywhere else in the world under various circumstances. In fact, in some ways, doing 'ordinary' things such as working out, were even more necessary, when separated from friends and family in ones home country.

Taz & Christine have made Japan their home, living here for well over 20 years. Their two daughters attend the local 'Kansai Christian School' which was started for missionary children in the early '70's. Several missionary couples, including Neil & Peggy Verwey who also started Japan Mission, felt the need to serve the missionary community by providing quality education in English for children of missionaries living in the Kansai area of Japan. In many ways, missionary kids have limited options once graduating from high school. Those from other countries, find the Japanese education system overwhelming, and coping with that in addition to the responsibilities that accompany missionary work, can be very difficult to manage. Having an American based education, gives children the opportunity once graduated from high school, of returning to the States or other English speaking country and entering college or university there.

The school has been going ever since, and I (Aaron) had the privilege of serving as a board member there from 2005-2010, and being involved in some of the big decisions as the school transitioned from rented property on a local Bible School, to purchasing their own property in an area about 10km south of Ikoma where Japan Mission is based and where they were located since their foundational days.

We spent today visiting a local park and eating lunch together. Rachel & Michelle Oliver made sure Caia felt at home and played the part of 'older sisters' very well. Needless to say the day flew in and we felt very blessed to have spent the day with this wonderful family.

Taz works about 3 part-time jobs to provide income for his family while at the same time seeking to minister to those he meets each day.

He teaches P.E. at Kansai Christian School once a week, teaches some English classes on other days, and then also conducts 'Christian' weddings in various wedding chapels in the Nara & Osaka areas through an organization that seeks to bring the Gospel to couples and families who wish to have a 'western' style wedding performed by a missionary or pastor. Taz is able to share a simple Gospel message each time he conducts a wedding and shares the Scriptural basis for marriage in the hope that something of what has been shared with those getting married and the guests at the wedding ceremony would be impacted by the message of the Gospel.

Do pray for encouragement for Taz & Christine as they minister together in southern Ikoma and sow the seed of the Gospel far and wide and for the influence they have as teachers at Kansai Christian School where they both teach on a part-time basis (Christine teaches art).

Gyu-don & miso-soup (Beef over rice) 

Christine & Crystal enjoy the Ashi-yu 

Crystal & Aaron at the park 

(L to R) Christine, Rachel, Michelle & Taz Oliver

Caia having fun with Rachel & Michelle Oliver 

'Rolly' slide (slide has rollers instead of just metal) 

Sushi Lunch Box (Bento)

We enjoyed a picnic lunch together, then on our way home, stopped off at a Japanese 'Ashi-yu' (foot bath) where we soaked our feet in hot springs water of about 42 degrees celcius while chatting together. After this, we enjoyed a meal of gyu-don (beef over rice) and Japanese miso soup before returning home and heading to bed.