Summer Break

Hello Friends and Family,

We hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the summer. We have August 2nd through the 13th as vacation time and we both go back on Monday, Aug. 16th. The students don't come back to school until Friday, Aug. 27th, so we'll have lots of planning and preparing time. And we have two more training days with the other AETs as well (18th and 19th).

Yesterday, we came back from a Bible camp in Hitachi. It's in a beautiful place - forest with tall trees, a stream, and cabins to stay in. It's a 10 minute hike from a parking lot to get out there. A team of Christians from Cordova, CA, came out and facilitated the lessons, which were themed "Vitamin C." Three C's - lessons: Created, Connected, and Chosen.

The camp lasted about 3 days. We enjoyed the people, the team work - like everyone making curry and rice together, and playing games. Now, they are working on some building projects for the rest of the week and also having some Bible studies with people. We had to come back right away though, because of my need to rest (Laura). I've had a viral infection for the past 3 weeks. It's my immune system attacking my joints, causing me to feel stiff and achy in most of my major joints. So, I might have to go to the doctor again soon if this pain continues. So, please pray for my body to heal. Thank you!!

Allen's pain in his lower back is slowly getting better and better. He has the pain from the surgery, and he was taking medicine 3 x a day, but now he's down to taking it once a day, so that shows improvement. Please also pray that he continues to improve to reach 100% (no pain).

We will start EBC training soon (English Bible Class). So, if you could also keep the Mito Church and AETs in your prayers as we prepare and start reading and discussing Scripture with Japanese people who are interested in practicing their English. Last spring, Allen and I finished up on a good note with our 3 readers and we've met up with them one time since then and we look forward to seeing what God is going to do through us to reach out to these three wonderful women. Two of our readers are Japanese women and one woman is Korean. They all are able to communicate in English, but this class gives them an opportunity to use their English and make relationships. Also, they know that we are Christians and that we want to share our faith with them, which they are perfectly ok with. They share their feelings and/or experiences with us and we all talk about that and relate it with the Bible characters' experiences and our own experiences. At times we've been able to get pretty deep and really enjoy talking with each other. And Allen or I always say a prayer at the end of each class.

So, please pray for our EBC class and for our health. God bless you all and take care.

With Love,

Allen and Laura