NOT the end...

So today is Monday and we are packing up our suitcases and cleaning up the church building. It is a bitter sweet time. We have so many great memories here in Japan and I know all of us will cherish them forever. We`ve met many amazing people and they`ve made an impact on our lives. Hopefully we as well have changed their lives in some way.

Sunday was a difficult day. We said goodbye to many church members during the potluck after church. The team got up and spoke a few words about our experience in Japan. The church then gave us each a beautiful mug with our name painted on the side in Japanese.

After church, we had our Bon Voyage party. Many of our readers who don`t normally come, did. That was very exciting. All of my favorites were there and I was really excited to see them all again. Tanis, Tyler and I put on our Ukatas (it looks like a Kimono but is for the summer time, since Kimonos are very heavy and hot) for the occasion. We had a great time playing games and just talking.



After the party was the after party... Oh I mean, we had dinner at the McLains after our goodbyes at the party. We hung out and ate some very missed Mexican food. Chips and queso...Mmmmm. It rained on us for a little while, but some people didn`t seem to care much, they just hung out on the back porch. Oh and don`t ask me what Mike is wearing... Ha ha.
All of my readers invited Jake and I to back to Japan. I told them that someday we would be back, whether on LST or just for vacation. We love Japan so much, we couldn`t image not ever coming back. Then many of my older women friends told me that when I come back, bring my little baby! We just can`t get away from the pressure! Ha ha.
Then Kiyomi told me there is a Japanese saying that if you met a person twice, randomly, it has to happen a third time... for good luck or something like that. So, when she left after the party instead of saying "goodbye", we said "see you later". I pray that, if I don`t see her on earth again, one day I will see her in heaven.

Yuko

Mai

Kumiko and her son Riyota

Makoto

Kiyomi