connecting

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::: "connect-the-dots" -- that classic children's game -- is also a necessary part of ministry purpose and praxis...

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...from oct. 12-16, asian access held its fall gathering on etijima island (a ferry ride from hiroshima)...

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...claire and i -- along with church multiplication teams from every major region of japan and colleagues from north america -- gathered for a time of learning from each other, discussing big-picture issues, and praying for each other...

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...in other words, as a ministry family, we connected some of the dots...

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......we connected the dots on several significant levels, beginning foundationally in worship with our christian unity and identity, then moving on to practical ministry "dots" such as TESL training, evangelism to Japanese, member care, and integrating ministry models...

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...what a privilege it is for claire and me to partner with such colleagues who are passionate for japan and persevere in the face of discouragement...a group photo (we're front row center holding annie)...

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...what claire and i appreciate about asian access is the diversity of its people...and again, with every meal and workshop at the gathering, this diversity was on full display, making the "dots" more tangible and the connecting part so synergistic...

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...on our second day together, we visited the peace park and museum in hiroshima...very moving reminder of the human cost of war...on 8:15am august 6, 1945, an atomic bomb exploded 600 mtrs above this building (now commemorated as the "a-bomb dome")...somehow it stayed standing after detonation...now it stands as a world heritage site and a symbol of peace...

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...the original rubble still remains...

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... returning to her hometown of hiroshima was meaningful for our colleague, reiko...

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...the famous sightline that captures the memorial (forefront), everlasting torch, and the a-bomb dome (background)...

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...generations of post-wwII japanese students have learned the lessons of sadako's 1000 cranes...

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...chances to interact with kids on field trips...

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...in japan, hiroshima is heralded for its varieties of okonomiyaki (cabbage pancakes layered or filled with meat, noodles on an open hotplate)...

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... claire & co. ready to chow down...

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...hiroshima-yaki is well worth the wait...

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...an unexpected surprise was sharing beef bowls with robert's friend, a japanese-bolivian christian named cesar...

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...from gathering to scattering: by God's resources and your partnership, we're ready to continue living, learning, and loving in kobe...

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