End of First Term

Hello Friends and Family,

We had our one year anniversary on the weekend of July 12th. Laura walked into the teachers' room and found a big bouquet of flowers at her desk! of-course she was surprised because I am not that often romatic when it comes to buying flowers. Then that evening we just focused on Scripture and watched the Passion of Christ together. Then the next day (Saturday) we went to the church building to help with the feeding the homeless ministry. It was fun - Allen sang with some other church members and we met a lot of people and ate with them. Then we went to Kairakuen park (biggest park in Japan) together and walked and rode a paddle boat in the Senba Lake. Then the next day we went to Tokyo with some friends. We visited the Tokyo church that morning and ate lunch with the church members, then went to the Tokyo Tower, and then to the busiest intersection in the world (literally) where we did some shopping, and then we went to the Ethiopian resteraunt called Queen of Sheba (one of two in Tokyo), which was the main reason we wanted to go that weekend. It was a really fun and memorable weekend.

Allen was off work for 5 days because there was a student from his school that got the swine flu. Almost every AET hated Brett and Allen because thier school was the only one got closed. But he found out that he has to make up that time later. He also had a difficult couple of weeks at work because of some miscommunication and cultural stuff. He had a talk with some teachers and the vice principle and things are looking up now. Please pray for Allen to be more reserved at school and to try more to understand Japanese culture inside and outside work. Also, pray that we be patient with the indirect way of communication here.

Allen's Health Update

Allen went to the doctor recently ( 2 visits so far) and he took him off ibuprophen and gave him some different medicines (one for stomach protections, one for muscle relaxation, and one for pain). Also, he had an MRI, and the doctor said that there is no major bone damage, but the problem is in the muscle (tight and sore) and his body has been getting used to it so it's just developed more and more. And the doctor said it doesn't help it with him being in a new place. The latest news is that he gave Allen a two weeks trial of this different medicine and daily excercise specifically for his left buttox. He has to wear a back support thing everyday except for when he sleeps and he also has to wear this thing that sticks to his left buttox. So far it seems promising. He needs your continued prayers that God will use this doctor to help heal him.

School update
Our first term just ended today. Today was the closing ceremony. The students left school before lunch. We stayed at school to prepare for the next term, which starts at the end of August. Today, Laura did some decorating in her English room after lunch and Allen worked on preparing materials and talked with the teachers about how to better communicate about the lesson plans for next term.

During Allen's week off from school, Laura was of course jealous, but she had a good week. Allen also had a good week. He went to Ibaraki Christian University to visit some friends and Dr. Ives' class. He went to the beach with another AET who was also off work b/c of swine flu. He talked and prayed with the new preacher from church and he gave Allen some good cultural advice. He also had some quiet time reading his Bible.

Church Re-treat
Over the weekend, the church had a retreat just 30 minutes away at a campground. It was really nice. We sayed in these cute colorful cabins and we had dinner at this onsen building. Allen went in the onsen (public bath - men and women are separate), but Laura didn't feel like it so she just got a massage instead. Then later after dinner, we had singing and prayer. Allen and Laura taught a children's Bible class and Laura's mom, Tammy led a women's discussion group about giving your worries to God. It was an uplifting weekend.

The girls are now doing a Bible study together once a month, and we've had one meeting so far. It will be a great thing for all the girls to do together so we can focus on what's most important in our lives and encourage each other.

what about Japan so far?
We are at the point where we are past the "romantic" (everything is wonderful) stage of culutre change, and we are partly in the struggling and content stages ( we go back and forth depending on the day), so please pray for us that we will keep our trust in God for strength and patience and all the fruits of the spirit as we try to live and work in Japan.

Please also pray for Allen's brother Matthew, who is trying to go to preaching school. He is trying to move on from living in a refugee camp, and he's struggling with money and finding a job.

Love to all,

Allen and Laura