Reflections/Devotionals
Recent Highlights and an Urgent Prayer Request from Koriyama Baptist
We've been thinking for a while now that about posting brief update on what God has been doing recently at Koriyama Baptist Church (our "home church"). This church has truly been a blessing to us in ways that we never could have expected. In fact, notwithstanding our...
Tanabata
July 7th in Japan is a holiday called Tanabata. Most Americans have never heard of Tanabata, and after a lot of asking around at my school, I've come to find out that many Japanese know very little about the true history of the tradition, why certain things are done...
Easter Program
Today we had our long-awaited Easter Program, and praise God, it was a smashing success!!! Thanks to all of you who prayed for this event; everything went smoother than we ever thought possible. There were no accidents, no major spills of Easter Egg dye, nobody got...
Visitors from Mansfield and Mike’s First Translation Job
If there's one thing that Wakakusa English teachers will tell you about this program, it's that you never know what amazing opportunities will come your way, and this past week was a great example. This Tuesday, 30 delegates from the city of Mansfield , Ohio arrived...
Rediscovery
Recently, I rediscovered a favorite author of mine. I stumbled across her name in a magazine editorial, and it evoked memories of a powerful book I had read almost 15 years ago. The book was called "A Heart of Winter." It was the story of the daughter of a Japanese...
The Cherry Blossoms are finally here!!!
At last--they're finally here!!! Spring has officially come to Funehiki, and the cherry blossoms are at last in full, glorious bloom. Jen and I have been waiting for months for this day to come, and now that it's here, it feels like a dream come true. Now we're really...
Mike’s New “Bring It On Down To The Downtown” Music Video
I'm not exactly sure how to introduce this... My latest art project is out, and whew boy, it's unique. This is a side of me that no one (including me) has ever seen before. Trust me; you ain't never seen anything like this. Just go here to watch it:...
He is Risen! (He is risen indeed!)
Happy Easterfrom Japan!!! This morning we celebrate the ressurection of the Lord, who suffered, died, was buried, and then on the third day rose again--and all for us! This morning, our whole team gathered at 6 am, walked to the top of a big hill, and had a time of...
A Hymn For Good Friday
O Come and Mourn with Me Awhile O come and mourn with me awhile, O come ye to the Savior's side O come, together let us mourn, Jesus our Lord is crucified. Seven times He spake seven words of love; And all three hours His silence cried For mercy on the souls of men;...
Baptist Youth Camp 2007
Yesterday Jen and I got back from Adatara Bible Camp, home of the 2007 Fukushima Prefecture Baptist Youth Camp. We went up on Tuesday night and left Thursday afternoon, and every moment was precious to us. The food was great, the scenery was pretty, and the weather...
“…to wait there”
Being constant. Faithful in prayer. Expectant to see God's answer. Hearing no news of change. But still praying. If I cannot catch "the sound of noise of rain" long before the rain falls, and, going to some hilltop of the spirit, as near to my God as I can,...
Kindergarten Graduation
This past Monday, the kindergarten where I sometimes teach English held their annual graduation ceremony. The day found me reflecting wistfully on my own childhood. My own Kindergarten photo is below. Can you tell where I am? (Incidentally, I think you can click on...
END-OF-THE-SCHOOL-YEAR SPECIAL, Part III: Exam Results
This past Wednesday was a monumental day for a big portion of the Japanese population. It was the day that most of the 3rd year junior high-schoolers found out the results of their high-school entrance exams. These test results determine whether or not they can get...
END-OF-SCHOOL-YEAR SPECIAL, PART I: Mike’s Last Elementary School Classes
Yes, as many of you already know (and the rest of you have already figured out by reading the title line), the Japanese school year is finally drawing to a close. It will resume again in April, the month of new beginnings (and the month where the sakura (cherry...
Mike’s First Video Ever–“Dry Ice Adventures”!!!
So as you already know from reading our blog, I (Mike) have recently discovered that I'm an artist at heart (granted, an extremely goofy one), and for the past couple of months have been making my own radio shows and comedy skits, etc. Well, as it turns out, audio was...
Mike’s Sunset Escapade
I'm sure that many of you out there, especially our regular readers, are familiar with the Digicamblog Theorum. It goes something like so: Digital Camera + Thirst For Adventure + Random Opportunity = Good Blog Entry Material. This theorum is, of course, the driving...
Recent Highlights From Teaching In Takine Junior High School
When I (Mike) first arrived at Takine Junior High School (my primary school), I have to admit that I had a hard time fitting in. In fact, for the first couple of months, I didn't really feel like I connected with anyone (teachers or students), and when I would talk to...
An Unabashed Commercial
Have you ever read a book that felt like it was written just for you? By someone who was looking over your shoulder and penning words just as you needed to read them? I am finishing up a book just like this. I started reading it over Christmas vacation, and it has...
Tech Support Hotline
As many of you know, last year was the season of innumerable battles with a big computer company. We spent hours and hours on the phone with tech support and customer service, trying to get our problems solved. Well, amazingly enough, we actually discovered an old...
SPECIAL REPORT: Mike’s Culinary Adventures–Seafood Edition
Today on Mike's Culinary Adventures, I'd like to take an up-close and personal look at the various seafoods of Japan. Since you've all seen plenty of sushi already, I figured i would show you some of the more exciting and adventurous seafoods I've found so far. Bon...