straw

::: with a shinto funeral service taking place at the community center -- our regular church meeting place -- we held sunday service in our straw-mat (tatami) room...


...what a joy to be with japanese believers and seekers...
...what an equal joy to meet two newcomers...
...what an honor to welcome them into our home for worship...


...besides the post-service "sleeping-leg" syndrome that got everyone (even japanese people have a tough time sitting on the ground for over an hour!), we enjoyed worshiping as a family in the warm -- and, as you can see, cozy -- confines of our home...


...while singing our first song, a prayer rose in my soul:

God, save our neighbors

:::