The new shift International Ministries has taken was at first difficult for us to understand as it was such a change from what we knew before we left Japan.  But as we have experienced it, we have realized it is all about strengthening relationships.  Not only do we have a close relationship with our Mission Partnership Team-those folks who are working with us sacrificially and taking on roles of a small mission sending agency but we also have the Mission Partnership Network- those who have covenanted with us to support us and to communicate.  For these two groups, we are so thankful to God for His provision. 

We look forward to the work in Okinawa-continuing past relationships and forming new ones as we take on slightly different roles.

Many people have asked how our children feel about the move.  Our older two sons will be in college.  Shinya will be a junior at Alderson Broaddus, a college with American Baptist ties in WV. TK will be a freshman at Marshall University-the home of the “We Are Marshall” movie.  Both seem to be fine with our leaving and will visit us on holidays.  We leave them in good hands as David’s twin brother and his wife, Brenda will be there in our absence as our Missionary Kid Caregivers.

Joanna is excited as she has good memories of our time there.  I am glad I will be working at the same school she will be attending so that I can be with her.

 Please continue to keep us in your prayers.

 So far we have been able to do some American style cooking:  a turkey and pumpkin pie as well as make some crafts.  At our last meeting, we had an English lesson on how to eat at a restaurant-something we Americans take for granted but that folks whose native language is not English find difficult. 

We are hoping to do scrapbooking next month so I will report on that later.