See you again

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We left Kobe on 3 November 2005, exactly 3 years to the day of when we arrived.
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Saying good-byes are always hard. But this time we felt like we would be back. So most of our good-byes were actually "see you agains".
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Below is just a collage of pictures from just some of the "see you again" times with friends who have become like family.
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Many thanks to Justin who was our ministry partner (and tireless photographer) throughout all of these times. All photos below are courtesy of Justin. Thanks Justin for capturing the moment as well as walking with us through these times.
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Some of the members of our A2 family. Thank you for your example and model as you faithfully love and serve with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.
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Our Kansai GROW family (minus the Takamotos who are on home assignment). Thanks for speaking into our lives and helping us grow in love with Him and with Japan.
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Hanging out with our neighbors. Thank you for your hospitality and patience with us foreigners who made many mistakes along the way. Thanks for opening your homes and hearts to us.
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One of our neighbors took us to a festival in Kyoto called the Jidai Matsuri which showcases clothing and styles from the beginning of Japanese history until modern day. Unfortunately, it got cut short due to the rain.
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Delicious shabu-shabu with our good friend Ryo who got married 2 days before we left Kobe. Thanks for the many stimulating conversations and questions that caused us to think deeper about faith issues and hurrying things up so we could be at your wedding!
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At Ryo's wedding. Sorry no pictures of him and his beautiful bride. But very good friends Yoko and Naoko who have been like sisters to me. Thanks for teaching me to be a good Japanese woman and wife as well as uplifting my spirits at just the right times--even with our language barrrier--amazing! By the way, Naoko (in the middle) and I are both pregnant and we're due on the same date--God you're amazing!
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Students from the only Christian club out of the seven universities in our neighborhood. Thanks for inspiring us with your love for Jesus and giving us hope for the future generation.
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Good times with some of the students Bobby had the privilege of working with at a couple of local universities. Thanks for keeping us young, filling our home with much laughter, and just being open minded and warm-hearted to us.
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Thanks Paul for flying in from Korea to say your "see you again" to us too. We're so glad we could share in these memories together.
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At a different local university, Bobby joined an "English Circle" of professors, educators and businessmen and women who enjoyed discussing things such as politics, economics and religion. They threw a bon voyage party in honor of Bobby. Thanks to this group for so readily welcoming Bobby and giving him opportunities (in English!) to share about his faith through your thought provoking questions and insights as well as sincerely listening to his answers.
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Fun with Claire was such a special treat as the moms and kids planned and prepared everything from games to songs, speeches and snacks. Thank you for opening your families to us, trusting us with your children and having fun with us as we tried out many wacky ideas.
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And last but definitely not least, our Gakuentoshi Chapel and New Community family. Each of you has made such a deep and lasting impact in our hearts. Through laughter, tears, language gaps, music, meals, ministry teamwork, neighborhood evangelism, and much prayer God knit our hearts together and we are one. We continue to think of you and pray for you every day.
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The three churches of New Community organized a "nabe" (a type of hot pot) party for us and some of our friends and neighbors. Of course along with all the attention to detail and delicious Japanese food, there was so much love poured into it all.
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Thank you Fuji family for investing so much of yourselves into us. Thank you for supporting us as clueless foreigners and gently steering us in the right direction as well as protecting and buffering us from things that could have harmed us. Even your children so openly embraced and welcomed us into your family--thank you!
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Can't wait till we see you again!

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