Day Two in Okinawa

Our team started the morning early today--most everyone was up at the crack of dawn in spite of extreme tiredness. The group working at school met at 8:00 for teacher devotions and then at 8:30 for elementary chapel. But the 9:00 time slot was important for the three Melanies and Carrie. It was a time for them to gather round the computer and Skype their families. Thanks to modern technology they were able to see and hear their families at the Crossroads Church Wednesday Bible study. It was fun for me to see them communicate with their children, husbands and brothers this way.

The main part of the group spent the morning helping in the elementary classrooms and in the afternoon helping with science and PE activities. Si worked hard with the OCSI maintenance crew putting in a new floor in the school kitchen and others attended pastoral meetings. As soon as school was out at 3:00 we went to our home and we all ate curry rice (a Japanese favorite) and cream stew on rice. Everyone seemed to enjoy the food and although a couple in our group were ready to close their eyes, we were able to discuss the plan for the next several busy days. After meeting we went shopping at the 100yen store and a local grocery store.

You may wonder who the lady in blue is who is eating dinner with us this evening. Her name is Dibbie Adkins and she is working at OCSI as a volunteer teacher for summer school. She also is a native West Virginian and it was a serendipity to realize that she had gone to church in Huntington with Betty Crouch and Jane Riffle over 20 years ago. God is amazing! Coming all the way to Japan to meet old friends makes all of us aware of how He weaves this beautiful tapestry of relationships old and new.

Tomorrow is going to be another busy one with work at the school in the day and evangelism in the evening. Dinner will be in an area called Mihama.