Typing those lines really gets me.  I’m always excited to go on a new adventure but at the same time I so deeply love America.  We have everything set and leave tomorrow at 1:00 PM our time.  We have a team so we go up to the airport quite early to get everything checked on well in advance.  I am not sad at all to be going with a team of people.  I’ve done my traveling alone and it’s just not the same.  I was only a very young man when I went to India by myself.  It was one of the longest flights I’d ever been on.  This is nothing like that but the elements of what I know will lead to trips to Africa are there.  Complications have risen with the meetings we will be holding in Ireland that could use some real prayer.  The churches we will minister in there have Ghanaian pastors and are attached to African Joe, our dear friend from Ghana who we’ve ministered with in the past.  He’s also been here in our church.  For those of you who don’t know I pastor with my mom in a little church here in Montana.  The miracle of our travels never ceases to amaze me.  Here were are in a tiny little church yet we’ve been all over the world and ministered.  Some of our music that we’ve also taken all over the world live has been taken to many countries we haven’t even been to.  God is able to use the little you’ve got and use it to be of use to many.  I think this is similar to the miracle of the loaves and fishes that Jesus fed people with.  There didn’t seem to be enough to feed one person let alone thousands then God adds His ability and just look what happens!  We will be touching down briefly in Minneapolis…it will be a mad dash with barely and hour to get from domestic to international flights…that one is the biggest challenge then we will fly on to France for just a moment before going on to Dublin.  We will be in Dublin and hit the ground running.  The day we get there we will meet with the pastor and his elders and then the meetings start the next day.  Our sound man and I will have to go and get the instruments we need that we will play then leave to the church when we go on to Endinburg in Scotland.  The meetings extend for nearly a week and others may open up as we get going.  I hope to have some time to breath and see some of Ireland…it seems a crime to not be able to check some of the country out.  We will meet African Joe there and I’m so excited.  It’s been some years since I saw him last and this seems like a huge reunion!  Please remember us as we travel.  I’ve come to the decision that I may not blog when I’m in Ireland and Scotland because we are so busy with the schedule and I hate not being able to comment to everyone that comments on my blog and the time differences etc.  I guess all in all this means I’ll blog again when we come back after three weeks or so.  I will be schooling my kids again in the middle of this because summer will be well and truly over so that also plays into how often I’m able to blog.

I can’t leave without putting some pictures so here we go.  We almost always go into a nation and meet other people who can end up being contacts to other places.  We met Neil from Sri Lanka in Tokyo.  India has always been close to my hearts since I lived there for a time and Sri Lanka has always held my interest.  Neil was on vacation in Tokyo, he worked with the Sri Lankan government…really a great guys .  We also met many people from the Philippines.  This is me with a friend who’s name is Marvin .  I really got a kick out of him!  Guess what?  We saw not only cigarette machines and the standard pop machines but there were also machines that carried hard liquor!  Can you imagine that?  Have you ever seen Madeline?  I think Japan has there own version .  We also visited Indian restaurants and enjoyed the all time classic lassi…oh so good !  You have to acquire taste for India food but I’ve not only learned to live with it but love it  !  The kids did just fine ! Of course Gabby was popular.  This is the restaurant owner with Gabby .  Have you ever had Indian ice cream ?  It’s a treat not to be missed and very different from what we know as ice cream .  Gabby gets fashionable ….or something.  Mom and I are big lovers of chestnuts and we found some of the most wonderful roasted chestnuts at a little stand in the train station we often frequented …don’t they look good  ?  After a while the people who worked there got to know us .  This trip Gabby won’t have her stroller because cobble stone isn’t easy to push a stroller on so let’s pray that either she has the energy to walk or I’ve got energy to carry her if need be.  She’s bigger now then she was just a short time ago.  I know some don’t like sushi…but if you love it you will never find better sushi then what they have in Japan .  Years ago when I first traveled I would have said there’s no way I’d eat it but to have never tried it and ignorantly proclaimed it’s disgusting doesn’t hold much water with me any more.  I love authentic Japanese sushi !  The shopping in Japan is never dull nor are the various restaurants and their wonderful presentation of their fares …yep, food porn again !  I just couldn’t leave without having some food pictures !  I even miss the crowded stations besides if it ever got too stressful there was a comforting reminder of home right there and Lovely is at home wherever she may be if she’s got her camera and Gabby is always a subject …willing or not LOL!  Now we are Europe bound…who knows the friends we will meet?  I know that the doors to Africa will open…that surely is next…mark my words.  For now I wish you all the best, I appreciate your prayers and encouragement.  God bless and keep you all !

Well, it’s been a strange feeling to have time move incredibly quickly yet seem to drag at the same time.  We have finally hit that time where we will be finalizing everything and getting on the plane soon.  We have been in contact with the pastor in Ireland and that all sounds good.  Hearing his voice reminds me forcefully of Africa…that accent and those mannerisms that are so very Ghanaian.  We are trying to tighten everything up at the church so people keep some momentum while we are gone.  Last night was really exciting.  We’ve been having some really wonderful praise and worship.  I had a strong vision of a meeting we had in Africa so many years ago.  It was way out in the outskirts of Accra, Ghana where there was a little bible training school for upcoming ministers.  We arrived late…an occurrence that isn’t rare because of what the Ghanaians call “African Time”.  The meeting was in full swing with them praising God with everything they had in them.  They were leaping as one…six hundred people leaping in a single mass.  The floor was dirt so that red African dirt was rising in a cloud that was at least waist high.  I have seldom been so moved at a sight in my entire life.  The grim note to this is that I am reminded of our dear driver and companion Ado.  He was just recovering from a terrible bout with malaria.  He was telling me what a wonderful football (soccer) player he was.  His charming smile and unforgettable face still is branded ever in my mind.  I remember him leaning out of the car window scolding someone that was hanging precariously from a bus near the car then he sheepishly turned to my mom and said “Oh, sorry mum”…as if we could understand him since he spoke in the local dialect which we didn’t know.  I hear his voice still…but now we found that he had died…not sure of the specifics…he was a young man who had married not too many years ago.  None of us will ever forget him.  We will meet you on the other side my brother  .  It’s a sobering thing to go away from a place and know that when you return many of the things you grew familiar with have all changed.  People you’ve known have passed away…so much is different.  I can’t escape a sense of urgency to return to Africa.  All that we do seems to lead inevitably back to where we first started on the mission field.  Much tragedy has visited those we love so dearly but now we will meet with our friend Joseph Baise.  He says that I am American Joe and he is African Joe.  Our church is called Eagle Ministries International…he says that he is a black eagle…I smile at this but sense that he is seriously a part of us.  Destiny is drawing us back…I find it amazing that we are being drawn to where they say humanity started… the cradle of civilization…it is a return…it is a new beginning.

I have only one more post that I will make from this country since next Friday we leave for Ireland and Scotland.  How amazing that is to say!  I want to continue with the pictures I’ve got from our journey to Japan because we have a deep love for that country as well.  I will never forget that place either, I know we must return there as well.  Is it strange to you or is it just strange to me to visit China town in Japan ?  I found it strange but fascinating as well.  What a tremendous entry to this section of Tokyo .  There are some amazing looking restaurants to witness and it does have a distinct Chinese edge to it .  There are theme parks that I’ve seen trying to imitate being in other countries but there’s really nothing like really being there .  We very often saw groups of students wandering around…could they be playing hooky ?  Gabby didn’t know what to think, poor little thing.  We went from store to store just to see the wonders of each little shop .  Sometimes the outside of these places was as enchanting as the inside .  Row upon row of exotic sights greeted our eyes as we walked on enjoying a beautiful day .  This dragon looked hungry and I was too however my taste buds relish the challenge of a new dish more than the others in our team…maybe you can see why …burn ‘em up LOL!  Seeing lanterns like this in Walmart just isn’t the same .  It surprised me that the Japanese flag wasn’t displayed more prominently around the city but it looked proud on this ship .  This was a wonderful harbor and port , I can only imagine the goods that the ships bring in .  Still the flowers grabbed my attention .  It was fall but you’d never guess by the weather and the plants growing everywhere .  Ah, such delicate beauty !  I wonder if the locals thought we were crazy taking pictures of it all …well, I’ve seen the Japanese tourists in Yellowstone National Park…so I guess we’re even!  This ladybug seemed to be a rebel…not a spot to be seen !  I know, I know, more flowers .  These looked like they were puckering up for a kiss !  We brought the children to visit a school not far from my mother in law’s house…it was really interesting to visit the classrooms and see how school is there and then have our picture taken with a teacher from America and another teacher from the school .  Here is Lovely, Gabby and I eating after a church meeting .  One day we visited a small market to see the sights and hear the sounds.  It’s a whole new perspective on fish and sea food for this landlocked compadre, I can tell you  !  It was very early and people were busily shuffling about buying or selling their wares .  There were fish I’d never even dreamed of .  Variety is the spice of life they say .  Well now, these things look a little like …uh, moving on…try not to think about it….  Where was I?  Ah yes, produce !  Wonderful produce !  These just had too much personality to not photograph !  We spent tons of time just seeing what we could see.  Sometimes you take the shot other times it takes you and this one took my heart somehow .  How could I not notice the manga?  My goodness I’ve never seen so many comic books !  I think this is one place I’d do just fine without a car…everyone walks, bikes or rides the train , .  It’s not so bad once you get used to it.  Here are some kids we saw on the way home one night …just to cool don’t you think?  Here is my skeleton hiding in a sakura blossom shirt …and here’s another blossom .  What do you think?  You figure you live in a big city ?  This is not like where I live …but I still love it! 

Ah, a visit to Shibuya…you will indeed get your eyes full here LOL!  What some ham?  I’ve seldom seen such a mass of people in my life !  We went with our friends whom we had brought tee shirts to…they wanted to return the favor so here we were !  We found a wedding chapel which was pretty amazing in itself but more than that there was an actual wedding going on !  We saw the family gather and the priests who officiated the wedding !  Our friends didn’t quite share our enthusiasm but they were very patient and good to us as always…meet Hisau (don’t know how to spell that) and Hitomi and their two children .  Finally we left the wedding behind, thankful for the chance to see it .  Back to the busy streets and people strange to my foreign eye …notice the anime style dress?  I thought that sort of thing was only in Japanese cartoons!  This dog thought we were the weird ones though .  It had been quite a day and it was time to go home .  So much to see in this land of the rising sun but what made it the most wonderful for me is that God had done it and I got to experience it all with my family…including my little girl who seemed to enjoy every moment of it !

It’s been a quiet week for the most part but I’ve felt like I was standing on the railroad tracks with a train coming lately.  I believe that much of this has to do with our approaching trip (fifteen days at the time I’m typing this).  The good news is that in spite of any anxieties I may feel I also am very aware of God moving things along.  It’s never trouble free but God’s grace always remains sufficient and I will never deny that.  We have been in contact with Pastor Thomas in Ireland and I can’t help but love the sound of him.  I know that this is an appointment of God and I truly believe that this is a significant trip that will certainly lead back to Africa and beyond. 

Now I want to continue the photographic journey in Japan.  I miss that country dearly and can’t help but love it even more every time I see these pictures.  It’s a blessing to share these here.  Visiting the markets in Japan always was an enjoyable adventure.  Not only the seafood was marvelous to see but also the various vegetables.  These are actually radishes and this?  This is a Fuji apple …who would have guessed it?  LOL!  We come from a state that really doesn’t much utilize public transportation and our population density is mostly nonexistent so imagine the shock in seeing some trains filled to capacity and beyond…guys with white sticks come out and push more people in during the very crowded times…my mother in law was once actually lifted off her feet jammed into one of the trains and injured her ribs…yes, it can be that crowded.  This day however it wasn’t that bad .  You won’t find anyone without a cell phone…perhaps this is the new samurai sword and the business suit is the new armor (that’s my mother in law in red looking on.  I never tire of seeing the occasional kimono .  So…how would you like to find your way on this map ?  My mom arrived in Japan and we were waiting for her .  She came with our dear friends and fellow ministers .  I loved showing the beauty of the city .  The old style houses with the gargoyle edges on the roof .  Our friends weren’t quite so comfortable with the local dishes so we occasioned McDs every once in a while .  Lovely busied herself with pictures of the people ..even students weren’t able to escape and always the flowers seemed to beg for a picture .  I think what amazes me is how you can be in such a modern city and yet still see things that are very much like things I’d seen in India.  Local people don’t seem to pay these shrines much attention but if you talk to them they often fear the spiritual activity around these areas .  Here’s some of my favorite shots that Lovely took, and this one .  This wasn’t a Japanese garden…everywhere you looked was like this .  They took such pride in their little gardens and hedges and the people have such a personality all their own .  The food has the care in presentation that you’d expect at only five star hotels no matter where you go   and let’s not forget the other delicate deserts or the stuff you can bring home for yourself or friends or perhaps this .  It was a new thing to have no Walmarts to go to, just local little markets like this one , I didn’t mind a bit!  Traveling anywhere could be a challenge but it was a great thing to experience…at least in my opinion and if you get worn out…well, there were a few comforts from home that we could indulge in .  Gabby didn’t have any coffee and you can see how she faced the middle of the day some of our fellow Japanese commuters thought that was a grand idea .  We used the ever present and very popular Suica card to get wherever we wanted to go.  If it ran low on money you just popped in some Yen and recharged it .  One day we were commuting to a distant church (that’s me cut off in the blue, RD, Danielle and my mom)and we ran across some cute little rolls for breakfast .  I’m sorry to say some of these rolls were seriously injured during our meal.  This old woman had never seen anything like RD…well we haven’t either !  Mike took the time when traveling around to meet other kids when he couldand he fit right in though he didn’t have a cell phone because he did have his DS which was also popular .  Gabby just…well Gabby spent a lot of time catching zs when the weariness finally overtook her .  If we needed to recharge there were plenty of things to delight in .  Gabby liked to play with the neighborhood kids on occasion.  This is Mike with one of our Filipino friends (Ate Annabelle) .  I know there’s lots of food pictures here but can you blame me ?  Okay onward and upward.  I have a real affection for the Japanese writing…I find it beautiful .  Lovely takes shots that always inspire me even when it’s of simple things like this .  We spent at least as much time walking as we did on the train…great exercise and the weather at the time was glorious.  We would find things that delighted the heart.  We found many Japanese young people having a large picnic and they allowed us to take their picture .  Mike and his older sister Danielle walking the walk .  Another roadside shrine .  I think Mike would have done well with the young ladies if we had more time there .  He always enjoyed passing the schools and seeing what the students were up to ..Gabby shared his interest .  People we passed were friendly and graciousbut for now it’s time to walk on until the next blog .