2nd Dedication Service (from Facebook)

Here’s a belated update on our 2nd Dedication Service which was held on Saturday, August 20th.

We’re so thankful God planned a more low-key practice run in English for us first! Our 2nd one had many more Japanese guests and Korean missionaries than our first one, so Japanese was definitely the preferred language. It was also a slightly more formal event too. God also arranged for all of the members of our Board of Directors from 3 different prefectures to be there on the same day too! God is good!

We’re especially thankful that Ogawaさん and Yokoさん drove all the way from Hiroshima the evening before. They were the guarantors that allowed us to start this amazing journey God has had us on in Japan. They’d only met us once for a couple of hours at an event we attended during our vision trip back in Fall of 2008. They were not just our guarantors, but our family. Even from before we finally arrived two years later, they were doing so much for us! They were such a big part of our lives from the moment they welcomed us at Hiroshima Airport and always did so so much for us while we were there! We still use some of the bags Yokoさん made for Juhee when she entered kindergarten 11 years ago. We went over for meals and went on outings together too! They came to every one of Juhee’s ballet recitals, and of course, were one of the first to come visit us in the hospital after Jiyeon was born. It was so amazing to be able to have them there with us on this special day and for Ogawaさん to pray a prayer of thanksgiving and dedication for Iito Christ Center. God is so good!!

I welcomed everyone and Peter led us in "God is so good". We then enjoyed K.Boaz's mini concert. His youngest joined her daddy in front as if it was the most natural thing in the world :D

For the 2nd Dedication Service, we translated the ppt into Japanese. It wasn't perfect, but it was understandable - we hope :P We then sang "God is so good" in English and Japanese, too. Ogawa-san prayed a prayer of thanksgiving and dedication over us, the ministry center, and all those who will come through our doors. Thankful for Pastor Miyauchi’s benediction. It was his invitation to work as supporting missionaries at his church, Fukuoka Evangelical Free Church, that brought us to Fukuoka 6 and a half years ago

There were a lot more kids this time, almost all girls! Many of our guests went to check out Joy House during snack time after. My Adult English Conversation Class ladies! These two came the most often and were there with me till the end. I’m going to miss my Wednesday afternoon chat time with them! I remember the Wednesday I shared with them that we got our loan a few days prior and K-san said to me, “sensei, I really didn’t think you’d be able to get it”. It’d been a long process and I’d shared with them all of our struggles in getting a loan. Indeed, it was totally a miracle from God that we got it. And it was only because we had faith that this was part of God’s plan that we didn’t give up and persevered

Our wonderful Board of Directors <3