Today, May 25, marks the second three weeks of this 2026 trip. The first week of May in Japan has three holidays in a row, which is called “Golden Week.” During this week, there is an exodus to hometowns, vacation spots, or foreign travel. The roads, rails, and airlines are crowded, so we stayed close to the dorm and worked on prep for lessons.
We did get out into nature by walking along the Zanbori River in Tachikawa. It was a nice walk along a stream with carp, ducks, and flowers. We picnicked along the way. It was an enjoyable getaway, though not far away or crowded.
On our fourth Sunday, we worshiped with the Matsudo church in Chiba Prefecture, next to Tokyo. Two years ago, we ministered there for ten weeks while the Taylor family was on home leave. Returning was like a family reunion. The church building was full. There were visitors there from Ghana, Texas, Georgia, Indonesia, and countries in Asia. It has become an international congregation.
The Matsudo church needs a new building. Plans have been considered, and they are now trying to raise the necessary funds to replace their current facilities. Check out this video about their plans. Leslie and Sara Taylor have been ministering here for ten years now.
While at Matsudo, we met the Montgomery family from Houston, Texas. We welcomed them to the dorm at Tachikawa the next day. They are interested in a possible ministry in Japan. This is their second time in Japan, and they came with their children. We cleaned and made the beds for their time in the dorm.
During their time in Tachikawa, we worked on lessons for our visit to Ibaraki Christian University on May 21. I worked on a sermon comparing the different backgrounds of Peter and Paul. Josephine worked on a lesson about Hagar for the ladies’ class.
The day that the Montgomery family left the dorm, we washed sheets and remade the beds for the Harding University group that arrived that evening. Two were husband and wife who had just graduated. The single man will graduate next December. All three had classes in cross-cultural mission work and were well prepared for the ministry with the Yokota church.
The day after they arrived, we took them into the center of Tachikawa to get passes for the trains and to show them stores they might need during their month’s stay in Tachikawa. It has been a blessing to talk with them and see their enthusiasm for future ministry in Japan. There is a big difference between the times we came first in 1969 and again as a family in 1977.
Our fifth Sunday was with the Ochanomizu church in downtown Tokyo. This is like returning to our Japanese home church. This congregation sponsored us when we came to Japan in 1977. Through the years, we have had many relationships with them. Several have visited us in Memphis and stayed in our home.
The Ochanomizu church is the largest among churches of Christ in Japan. They have five elders who shepherd the congregation. This is the only congregation with an eldership. This congregation sends out brothers to preach for congregations without full-time ministers in Shizuoka, Yamanashi, and Ibaraki Prefectures. I pray for these elders and brothers who minister in these ways.
That Sunday, the English group met with the Japanese group for a joint worship. I shared a bilingual lesson on Psalm 138. Following the worship, we had an old-fashioned potluck. As preparations were underway, games were played to determine the order in which the tables would go through the line. After the meal, there were birthday wishes for those born in May. Each got to blow out a candle while the group sang “Happy Birthday.”
We got to see the granddaughter of one of the elders and the daughter of a couple whose wedding we attended two years ago. It is always an encouragement to see new families. There are also the older ones who, like us, are getting older. It is a blessing to remember our relationships over the years.
On Monday, May 18, was the monthly minister’s meeting via Zoom. Nineteen gathered from Shizuoka, Okinawa, Ibaraki, Saitama, Chiba, Tennessee, and Tokyo. One brother shared a lesson from John 15 that was followed by a discussion about the lesson. After this, they discussed cooperative events, including the Hitachi camp, the Japan School of Evangelism, the fall youth meeting, and introductions for new missionaries in Shizuoka.
On Thursday, May 21, we traveled to Omika to be on the Ibaraki Christian University campus. I spoke in chapel about the forgiveness Peter and Paul experienced and its impact on them. This was a special time for the school with students visiting ICU from Harding, Oklahoma Christian, and Abilene. With ICU, four schools related to churches of Christ were present. Visits to ICU campus always bring back memories of two nineteen-year-olds visiting in 1969. Things have certainly changed.
Josephine shared a lesson with several women in the afternoon. This has become somewhat of a tradition. It is always a good time for the ladies to get together. Josephine always has a very thought-provoking lesson. This one was on Hagar, and the question God asked her as she was running from Abraham and Sarah. “Where are you going and where have you been?” Genesis 19 and 21.
The Friday after our visit to Ibaraki, we invited the Harding students to a tour a bit of Tokyo. We had hoped to go to the renovated Edo-Tokyo Museum, but the long line and two-hour wait prevented us. We went to the Fukagawa Museum. A docent gave us a personal tour of the museum in English. Her English was very good.
On our sixth Sunday, we worshiped with the Uenohara congregation. This is where we ministered from 1980 to 1986. The membership has decreased. There were fourteen present. We did have a good fellowship together and worship.
We now turn our attention to the last three weeks here. This will take us west to Shizuoka, east to Chiba, and north to Ibaraki before we leave. There is a three-day Japan minister’s meeting and a memorial funeral planned. We will also make contact with several friends during that time. We are blessed to be able to do this and are encouraged by the faith we see in so many.