Al: VBS Day 2

God has been really blessing this team. I am amazed at the cooperation and flexibility this team has shown. Unexpected changes keep popping up and this team has dealt with them with patience, grace and a smile. The biggest change was choosing divide the children into 3 groups instead of two. We had brought enough craft for 24 and we brought enough craft for 4 6th graders. With 28 kids, I knew didn't have enough craft. But with 8 6th graders, we had enough craft for the younger kids. We went to Daiso and Livin to buy enough age appropriate craft for the older children. Another God sighting was that we bought 24 knapsacks for the kids, but Ev and I were concerned that there might not be enough so we bought 4 more. So we brought 28 knapsacks to Japan and we had exactly 28 VBS children on day 1.

Today began at 5:30 as we started waking up and taking our turn at the bathroom. It takes a while for 10 people to shower, clean up and get ready with only one bathroom. Today Tom has the head chief cooking eggs, toast and spam for the team for breakfast. We said a quick prayer at 7:20 and were out the door by 7:30. We caught the train from Kenritsudaigaku (our local stop) to Nokendai.

After a brisk 15 minute walk, we arrived at the Nokendai community center at 8:30. We quickly set up all the posters and electronics. Children began arriving at 9:00. At 9:15 while Tom was leading the kids in a game of Duck Duck Goose, we gathered for a quick prayer before starting VBS.

Today Randy gave the preparatory set by telling about how bad stuff like decaying leaves and poop enriched the rain forest soil. He related it to how God could use bad things for good.

Ev told the story of the 'Lost Sheep" and gave the "Bridge Illustration to show how sin separates us from God and how only Jesus can bridge that gap between man and God.

During recreation time Tom had the students running relays on little 4 wheel scooters.

Then Katherine gave her testimony sharing how God her faith in God gave her comfort in times of personal stress.

We closed by singing the VBS songs.

We the cleaned up the community center and had lunch on the floor of the community center. At 1:30 we began the PE in the Park session. There was a 30% chance of storms (rain and lightning) today but God held back the rain and we were able to go outside. Tom brought out 8 fishing poles and he taught the children how to cast. The kids were casting at targets until 3:00. We dismissed the kids with a hearty, "See you tomorrow."

We then walked to the train station and reached our apartment by 4:30. Then Karen, Lucy, Katherine and Ev bundled up our laundry and headed to the local Laundromat. The apartment has a washer but not a dryer. We hang clothes outside to dry but humidity doesn't allow them to totally dry.

While the gals are at the Laundromat, I was able to find time to write this blog. I am not totally relaxing as I am also washing all the towels in the washer and will hang them out to dry when I finish this blog. Tom is off at Daiso looking for PE supplies. Austin is also at Diaso. Randy is napping as he suffering from headaches. Please pray for him. Sharon and Tim are having dinner with relatives tonight.

This evening we will go out to find some dinner, debrief about the day, plan for tomorrow and hopefully hit the sack by 10.

Please continue to pray for our health and energy levels. Tomorrow we will be heading to the nursing home after a pizza party where all the parents are invited. We will be sharing God's Word with the parents and later with the residents at the nursing home so please pray that God will open their hearts and minds to His love and grace. God continues to be our strength.