this month has been BUSY! There is a lot to be done and tons of ministry to do during the Christmas season, and it has been interesting for the both of us to experience this time of year together, and experience it doing ministry.
Normally, we head home and see our families for the winter break, or spending it back at the cafe in Ginowan with everyone that stayed in Okinawa. But even though this Christmas was very different for us, and we didn't get to spend it with our family in the states, we had a really, very blessed Christmas.
God blessed us with great family and friends here in Nago, and it was really fun to share it with the Newell's and their kids. (it was so fun to see them open their Christmas presents!)
Some of the events we had this month include: caroling with the other churches in the city, playing 2 Hakugaijin concerts (one outdoor, and one in a new venue down town in Mihama), a Christmas party, and a relaxed Christmas night of watching a movie and roasting marshmellows with English students.
Our Christmas tree and stockings!
Masaki turned 3 this month!
The Bible college had it's graduation this year, and 3 of our friends graduated! This is Taliya (she looks so beautiful1)
and Natsuki graduated!
And Yoshua!!
At Nago Jujiro (new place in our area, couple blocks from our house)
Hakugaijin
Friends at the Christmas party at the Newell's house!
The whole group that night.
some cool shots Ayu got of us playing at the Christmas party.
And here are a few pictures from when we went to see the Christmas Illumination lights at a hotel on island. This is one of the coolest things to do Christmas time in Japan. Not a lot of houses decorate with lights (and the ones that do are famous!), but they do have special things like this to go see. It was really beautiful, and made up for not having a white Christmas~
We both hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas, and wish you a happy new year as it begins soon! Hope that the new one will be just as blessed and joyful as the previous one, filled with lots of God's love and peace.
(Christmas morning)
God bless.
