Happy New Years, my friends! The tough 2020 is finally over, and from its darkness, the light of hope emerges in the dawn of 2021. I can't say it was my favorite year, but some good still came out of it. Like being able to travel to other parts of Tohoku back in July, getting back to my hobby of editing videos, joining the Frontier Missions School, and many other things peppered throughout the year. Still, praying for the COVID situation to be sorted out, and for many more Japanese to hear about Christ this year!
Since New Years here in Japan, known as "shōgatsu" (正月), is an important holiday, much like how Christmas is to the west, we all decided to have a little celebration of our own with a special feast on the 1st! Normally, most Japanese people travel all around the country to visit family for the holiday, but due to COVID, Gary and Naoko decided it was best to stay put in Sendai, and generously served us this delicious breakfast:
Here, we have a traditional New Years meal, complete with fish cakes, miso soup with mochi (rice cake), beans, and pickled vegetables! I don't think I've ever eaten this healthily during a holiday feast, but it was all wonderful!
Afterwards, we went to a local church for a New Years service and played some games with the members afterwards. They had this strange "Mario Party"-like game involving trains, money, and a really annoying pig who would pass gas at the end of every turn, causing all the other players to fly across the game board:
Most of the time, I had no idea what was going on, but I didn't get last place, so that was nice. Overall, it was a wonderful time to celebrate the coming of 2021! Japan style!
And speaking of the new year, I can't believe it's been almost two full years since I left the States to be a missionary here in Sendai! I still wake up everyday, surprised that I actually live and work here in Japan, serving the Lord. But I know I couldn't have done it all without the Lord's provision, and all of your support and prayers! Thank you all so much for everything you've done for me, especially during one of the worst years ever. As I've said many times before, and will say many times after, I cannot be grateful enough. Let's all be praying and hopeful that 2021 will be a year of growth, healing, and rebirth. Amen!
2 Corinthians 5:17
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
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