On Christmas day we invited our neighbours and their Kids for a party. We had nine kids and they played games, ate snacks, watched part of the Christmas story together and had lots of fun. It has always been part of the joy of the Christmas season to share it with those we meet everyday.
December 24th. Everyone has to be clean and shiny for Christmas. As it was a warmer day Teddy got his Christmas Bath! This was a much nicer experience than my time earlier this year.
In the midst of our Advent and Christmas celebrations comes Sarah Abigail Aiko's birthday. We have to work a little harder in the bustle of Christmas to make her Birthday special. Sarah was born on the 22nd and this year is 15.
Every year there is a charity gospel concert held in Ikebukero, a section of Tokyo. It started several years ago when we were working in Adachi. This year it came on Sarah's 15th Birthday. So, while we could not attend the whole concert Rhonda and I helped with the set up and the reception when all the guests arrived, about 400 in all. The concert raised money for Aids needs in Africa this year. Here Rhonda is standing beside Anna from Fiji who works with YWAM here in Tokyo.
This year we needed a centre display for our wall hanging. usually we put our Advent Ca lander there but we have been using a different kind for a couple of years, so this year we had Mary use her artistic skills and make a centre piece as you see in the photo. The cards came from our Christmas celebration about 12 years ago.
We went to the hospital to visit Anna & Dayd for our small group time this week. This is what Mary had to say. "I was really scared about holding a 7 day old baby at first but when I held him for awhile I felt totally happy and confident. Dayd was so cute and well behaved." We look forward to our small group time when it starts up in January as we watch Dayd grow up and Jesse and Anna adapt as they become a family.
Cokespill is the name of the band formed out of TBC's high school worship band. David & Jonny are our boys and Jeremy and Matthew Auw also brothers from Singapore. They produced a CD called Moving On. I think you can preview the songs at their site and even order copies for $12:50 If however, you are are here in Japan you can get a copy from me for 1,000 yen, but you had better hurry I only have 800 copies left.
Here are three of the nicest angels you would ever like to meet. From left to right - Danika, Mary & Sarah. They were God's special messengers for TBC's "Angel Alert" children's special production last Sunday.
I had to visit the National Office this week and had a good time connecting with Chiori and Sandy. If you call our National Office it will probably be one of these ladies who will answer you. Recently they have been very busy organizing and co-ordinating the annual Christmas Gospel concert in Ikebukuro which happens to be on Sarah's birthday this year, December 22nd.
Remember Jesse & Anna? Well their son Dayd joined them this week to make them a happy family. Sarah was especially happy and we will all go to the hospital to visit Anna & Dayd on Thursday for our small group time, small group will never be the same again.
This Sunday TBC had their annual Singing Christmas Tree. Rhonda sang alongside Pastor Judi. Sorry I was unable to get a good picture of the tree but did manage this shot in the choir room of Rhonda & Judi. There were six performances this year and each one was packed. The music was first class and a clear gospel presentation was made, after the singing stopped cookies and coffee were served in the parking lot. Wish you could have all been there.
Every Christmas we have the Advent calender with windows for the first 24 days of December. The 24th is always the best window to open, so each year we have to carefully work it out so each child gets a turn at opening the 24th. This year will be Sarah's turn. Sarah especially enjoys the Christmas season as her birthday is on the 22nd. We usually begin with Advent and continue through the 12 days of Christmas, ending on the 5th of January when we take the decorations down. It's like one big long extended birthday/Christmas celebration for Sarah.
David is here seen leading a time of worship in Hibya Park in Tokyo. David came to Japan to pioneer a School of Worship with his wife Maria, son Rees and daughter Claire. Last year they had an addition to their family Abbie.
Here are those who studied hard and got to take their Japanese Language Proficiency Test at Todai - Tokyo University - The most prestigious University in Tokyo. Rhonda had to take her test at Saitama University.
Finally December has come. With it comes the Advent season leading up to Christmas. Pictured here is our advent wreath and you can see we begun by lighting the first candle today. We also opened all the Christmas cards we had received so far and discovered that Peter and Elizabeth are moving from UK to New Zealand.