Today was our day to sight-see in Yokohama. Shirley and the girls met up with the Nokendai VBS team yesterday, Friday, in Shinagawa at 3 PM as scheduled. It was great to see Patti's group, the TMK team, briefly before they headed back to the SEND center in Tokorozawa and we left for Yokosuka.
It was surprisingly cool and dry yesterday. Today, it was very hot and humid as usual. For the uninitiated, traveling today was uncomfortable; it was even too hot for those of us who have lived in Japan for over ten years!
We went up to the 69th floor of the Landmark Tower, the tallest building in Yokohama and the second tallest in Japan. The view was beautiful, as usual, even though the haze obstructed views of Chiba on the other side of Tokyo Bay. I think they added new fish tanks and very interesting new species of fish to view. Little "Nemo's" were swimming all over, and my favorite were the yellow "fugu" or pufferfish, most less than an inch long.
The best part was traveling together, talking with team members, getting to know people better and catching up with those who came last year. We are very excited to have the team here again this year and look forward to what the Lord will do through them this week with the children who come to our VBS program starting Monday, August 4!
In the evening, we went to Umi Kaze Koen, a park just 5 minutes from where we live, to watch fireworks. The occasion, summer "matsuri" or festivals that include fireworks. They are scheduled all around Japan in late July and August. One of the biggest firework displays is in Yokohama where we visited today, which we can sometimes see in the distance from our roof on a clear night.
All 3 of our girls even put on traditional "yukatas" this time. This is always a special treat for them.
We were thrilled that the team was able to see the fireworks this year. They really are quite spectacular and a great way to start off their mission trip in our area. We know the Lord can put on an even more spectacular show than fireworks during VBS, so we look forward to the promise of seeing something awesome in the hearts and faces of the kids who be coming in just two more days!
1 comment:
Hi Shirley,
The girls look so cute in their yukatas! Thank you for hosting our team. I wish I could be there with you all (maybe next time!) We are so thankful for you and your ministry in Japan. And we are all praying for much fruitfulness from VBS. May VBS and the team be a true blessing and encouragement to you, the church and the community.---Nancy
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