Zoos..

The first weekend of this month was a kind of mini-at-home-vacation for John and I. Thursday, the 3rd, was Japan's Culture Day and so no school or classes. John always has Friday off and that week so did I so we were looking for some excitement... that would work with our budget - or lack thereof. We decided to drive a bit to see some of the autumn colors and visit some area zoos...for the first time! Geeez...we've only lived here for seven and a half years, don't want to rush into it or anything. Any way, they aren't the biggest or best, but very reasonable..some even free! It was nice for the two of us to have the time to just wander around and enjoy.

So these are some of the faces we enjoyed along the way...



Not sure what secrets these two were sharing but they were very close!


This big guy was really carrying on with John! He kept swaying back and forth and reaching his trunk out through the bars and if we moved he moved in the same direction. Just before we walked inside his barn we saw a bamboo stick fly through the air... guess he wanted someone's attention!


There was a great exhibit of Lesser (Red) Pandas that we really enjoyed. These little fellas must not have an agressive hair on their snuggly bodies! As we walked through their areas they would stroll - literally! - right over our heads! Sometimes stopping to take a closer look at the visitors - and they were CLOSE!



These baby monkeys were having a great time playing chase and then slipping down the slide together.

Something caught his eye! Enough that he stood up to check it out!!

So not anything too news worthy to report, but it was fun getting out together, enjoying the nice fall weather and a lot of God's great creation.
Thanks God! It was fun!

Then and now

For those of you who may have an interest in how things are progressing in Japan in those areas hardest hit by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami...
I just ran across this link that has some vivid photographs of some of those areas.
http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2011/09/japan-marks-6-months-since-ear.html
Most show the sites just after the disaster, then 3 months and 6 months later.
Progressing, yes. Still SO MUCH to be done!
Please continue to keep Japan and its people in your prayers.
Thank you and may God bless you always.

Pray with us, please.

Fellow friends, family and most of all prayer partners.  This coming Tuesday, November 8th we are having an all day prayer vigil for our upcoming Love Sonata that will be Tuesday and Wednesday November 15th and 16th.  This is the biggest event ever attempted by our local churches and so far it looks like it is going GREAT!  We are hoping for 2,000 people for the main event on Wednesday evening, but so far only have about 1,400.  We know with His help, the hall will be filled, but even more important that it can be a start of a great revival in our area.  I (John ) am praying from 3 a.m. until 5 a.m. (12 to 2 Monday afternoon central time in the states) and Kim is praying from 4-5 in the afternoon (1-2 Tuesday morning in the states) and invite any of you that can to please pray with us.  If you can't make a full hour, we ask that you at least keep the Sonata in your prayers, and don't limit it to only the 8th, we need prayers each and every day to reach out to the lost in this country.  So thanks in advance and with confidence we will pray knowing that God will PROVIDE!!!