Day 10--God working so we can stay in Teshio!

Never have we seen a month go by so fast as this November has and we apologize for not continuing our history review for this whole month. But you honestly weren't left wondering, were you!! God moved in the elderly gentleman's heart to allow us a two year grace period. We had to pay for two year's worth of rent (at that time around $2000) and then at the end of two years we either paid him the asking price for the building or get out! In two week's time we had to come up with the $2000 and Praise God we had a CD that matured right at that time and it was just the amount we needed!!
Our notes also have that we were running a "Kayo-gakko" (Tuesday School) in our home during this time of transition period. We would run it like a neighborhood Bible time and also use it as a time to invite these children to S.S. This was another point of advancement in our language ability and kept Ken busy in preparation for that as well as his once a month preaching and regularly weekly S.S. lesson. Each was a step in our working completely on our own.
This short time period was also a very hectic time period for us as we lived in two places and Ken was 'working' in three of them! Oh, that doesn't add up you say?? Well we were covering bases for a short time in a small northern town called Hamatonbetsu while the missionary was in the States getting married to the veteran missionary's daughter and finishing some schooling, doing a little extra deputation before returning to Japan. A couple days of the week Ken would also travel to Teshio to continue the renovation of the building in order to move. The rest of the week we would be in Wakkanai. Can't imagine trying to keep that kind of pace now...guess that's why it's better to have those type of schedules when you are younger!


Entry way (Before)
Entry way (After)




















Original rooms which would have been a living room, multi-purpose room area.






same room with divider taken out and whole area made into a 'meeting room'.

a Note of Thanksgiving!--Praising God...

...not only for the past but for the present: for YOU, for all who care about God's work here in Teshio and for us. For God's Goodness in ALL things and in EVERY way!
We were blessed to hold the annual thanksgiving fellowship here and we were able to welcome the newest family to the northern area of Japan, the Wilhites to our rambunctious crowd!! We are able to special order turkeys so this is the one time of year that we splurge on this wonderful 'treat', then the ladies divide up the fixin's. (how much does a turkey cost here you ask??...are you ready for this?? AT today's rate for a 22 lb turkey it was $96!!) Now you know why we use everything clear down to scraps for the dog's thanksgiving and the carcus for soup and appreciate being able to take some leftovers home from the day!).
So enjoy a little of our day with us in pictures. We only fully get together 3 times of the year: around the 4th or so of July, in late November (hit it right on Thanksgiving this year) for Thanksgiving and sometime in late December or early January for a winter get together. These times are precious to us because these folk have become our 'family' and the gatherings provide some opportunity to hear someone else's conversation besides our spouse or children's voices ;-) and relax with converation, good food and some games and music.
We trust your day with your family members (few or many) was just as special and you had safe traveling as well.

(top picture-Kristen Smith (stick in hand) made the turkey pinata full of popcorn for the youngest children to have fun with! It was one 'tough turkey' and with held many a swat being torn apart!
Counting the 3 babies, there were 33 of us gathered! One BIG happy Family!

Happy Thanksgiving To You All!