Sunday - Friday, February 10 - 15, 2013
Well, Lloyd is is a bit busy with work, so let me tell you a bit about our time here in Japan branch so far...
As you can see, it's not all work. Here I am in a kimono one of the Japanese style guest rooms, but more about the kimono later...
This is our Bethel room in F building , level 10, room 8. When we first saw our room we thought there must be a mistake as there was only one single bed. However, we were shown the trundle bed underneath. We keep it set up all the time.
A few days ago we experienced our first earthquake at 920 pm. Actually, i was sitting on the bed and didn't feel anything but Lloyd did, just a mild sensation that made him ask me, "Did the floor just move???" And he was right, 5.6 quake off the coast. Exciting...
This is the view from our room... but there is more...
If we open the window... and look to the west what do we see???
Thats right, on a clear day, we can actually see the famed Mount Fuji in the distance, or Fujisan as the locals call it. Reminds me of Lloyd's favourite Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai.
Hokusai was a artist in the 18th and 19th century who did a series of 36 woodblock paintings showing Fuji from different angles and different weather conditions. The most famous one is The Great Wave with Fiji in the background. This artist is said to have influenced the French impressionists. And Lloyd has a theory about his influence on Dr Suess.
Sometimes we see magnificent sunset from our room
Heres Mount Fuji as seen from the front car park
Suburban Ebina. Photos taken while out witnessing.
English congregation at Bethel. Can you work out what the Brother is illustrating?
After the meeting these four gorgeous children came running up to me and asked "What is your name and where are you from?". They then sang the new song: Pray Anytime. How precious!
International servants, Ruth and Nigel
Monday night Watchtower. The Kingdom Hall is not big enough for all to attend.
Our Breakfast table. Every morning the chairman says: "Ohio gazimas" (good morning) and everyone answers back "Ohio gazimas."
After the closing pray, everyone sits back down and chats for about 5 minutes before leaving. I asked about this and was told that after a recent Zone Overseer's visit they were encouraged to do so.
My work mates.
My assignment is in the dining room in Japan Branch and i'm loving it. What a great bunch of fun, thoughtful brothers and the only two full-time sisters are as sweet as can be.
I got them to all try Vegemite. Only two of them liked it. . . you've got to be born in Australia! :)
Sister Hannah is 90 years old and besides her hearing, she is physically and mentally strong and such a delight. She works a couple of hours 3 or 4 days a week.
She originates from Montana USA, came to Japan as a missionary (14th class) when she was 28 years old. She couldn't speak much Japanese but because she looks Japanese (parent are Japanese) they expected more of her.Sister Hannah is so up-to-date that she has an iPad and loves to use it!
Amy and Yuko are the dietitians and nutritionists, Doreen my buddy from Brooklyn, Mariko, me, Matori
Of all the Bethel's we have been to, this is the cleanest. It is spotless everywhere. I mean everywhere. Even the pipes in the underground tunnels are dust free.
Back to the kimono
How many sisters does it take to put on a kimono?
Four sisters from the sewing room
Enjoying the kimono in the Bethel Tatami room.
Sayonara,
Lloydnalex
Alex this was a really delightful post. I enjoyed reading it. You look so gorgeous in any costume. I still have a photo of you in an Indian Sari. What a wonderful life you two have had and are still enjoying the blessings of your faithful service at Bethel. I concur with Lloyd on the influence that the Japanese artist had on Dr Suess. I can definitely see the techniques there. We have all the Dr Suess books. Keep writing. Love to you both. M.I.
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