Thursday September 11, 2014
We finally arrived. The central purpose of our visit ot the USA was to attend our dear friends Hajime and Aki's graduation from the 137th Class of Gilead. Naturally we were very excited to meet up with them at Patterson Educational Centre in up-state New York.
Hajime and me.
Alexandra and Aki. Tears begin to flow...
And more tears...
They took us to the Gilead classrooms to see where they have been studying and learning for the past 5 months of the intensive Bible school.
Each of the 48 students is allowed to invite just 4 guests. Here are our hosts guests from right to left to right; Us, Sis Setsuko (Aki's mother), Aki and Hajime of course, Bro Kazushige (Aki's brother), Sis Nobuko and Bro Michio (Hajime's mother and father at the back) and Bro Koichi and his wife Sis Mariko (Aki's former pioneer partner front right)
For the next few days we had the privilege of being honorary members of "the Japanese contingent". The tall brother at the back is one of the Gilead instructors.
Alex, Aki, Mariko and Koichi.
The students library.
Amongst the teaching aids are scale models such as this one of the ancient Israelite tabernacle.
The High Priest spatters the blood of the animal sacrifice near the Ark of the covenant in the Most Holy.
The High Priest at the Incence Altar in the Holy.
And the Temple built by Solomon.
The inner and outer courtyards.
The copper altar for animal sacrifice in the inner courtyard.
Patterson dining room.
Patterson
And at the end of a very long day that started off in the Bronx we finally arrive at our accomodation. No it's not Patterson Bethel. In fact it is Danburyhalf an hour down the road in the state of Connecticut. Due to the organizations many projects there is not enough space for all guests to stay at Bethel. So Bethel depends in the hospitality of friends in the surrounding congregations. This is the home of a beautiful and generous couple that we will introduce to you later.
And our hosts gave us their very own room...
Lloydnalex
(Blogged on the plane from Chicago to LAX)
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Are you hinting that you want us to give up our bed when you come to stay with us?
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