Trip to Japan 2007

Travel Journal

Destination: Japan

Start date: March 15, 2007

Traveling companions: Alone for the first time

Goal of trip: Visit all of the COG Japan churches

Foreword

A trip to Japan never begins with a ride to the airport. In fact, this particular trip began not in St. Louis, but Kawasaki, Japan. It began not on March 15, 2007, but two years earlier on my last visit there. Before the trip begins, numerous people on both sides of the Pacific have to work out quite a number of details. In order for me to be able to spend 19 days in Japan, not only did the Church of God at Baden have to accommodate my being absent for 6 consecutive services (including Easter), but also the Church of God in Japan had to make many sacrifices. Makoto Kohatsu spent months arranging my schedule. Showkichi Ito had to leave Fumie, his wife, for a week so that I would have a traveling companion and interpreter. Pastors Kohatsu, Sigemitsu Watanabe, Seki, Oikawa, Tomizou Takahashi, Ouchi, Nishiyama, Sugai, Tago, Kayo Takahashi, Hashimoto and Ishikawa had to give up their pulpits, dismiss service, change service dates, and in many cases, they willingly housed, fed, entertained and transported me. I must say that without exception, everyone did whatever was necessary for my visit to be meaningful, productive and an absolute joy. I thank the Lord for such wonderful brothers and sisters. I must also inform you that my plans to visit Japan in 2009 are already in the works now.

I owe the same debt of gratitude to the Church of God at Baden. Without the sacrifices made by my family and church, visiting Japan would not be possible. Other people have to fulfill my duties and bills must continue to be paid. God has blessed me with many people, who I love deeply, and who I know they feel the same way about me.

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