In the Land of the Rising Sun

Whew! We made it! After some concern at LAX (we deplaned due to a security issue, but then quickly re-boarded), we were ready to go.  We wondered if we had missed our connecting flight as we arrived 1 1/2 hrs. late in Honolulu, but we were greeted by someone who personally escorted us to our 747, which was maybe only 3/4 full...which meant we had plenty of room to stretch out and sleep! 

After a good night's rest in our hotel, we spent our first day hangin' with Mustard Seed missionaries Jay Greer and Seth Phillips. They took us to different spots in the city, including the top of a skyscraper some 47 stories high above this city of 17 million. We caught a view of Osaka Metro and thought hard about the fact that less than 1% of the population knows Jesus...and that percentage is decreasing. 

One fun experience today: we were on a crowded subway carrying some "Christian" baseball cards of a couple of well-known American players playing in Japan who know the Lord. We began to pass them out to a group of young boys riding with us, and they became quite excited! There was quite a buzz on that car as we walked off, and several boys were engrossed reading the testimonies of these athletes. Awesome! 

Pray for us as we continue to adjust to our new surroundings, that we'll have chances to share the Lord's love across cultural barriers, that we'll be able to bless those around us, and that we'll hear and see what God has to say to each of us. Let me share a few pics of our time so far:

Team upon arrival, with Jay Greer

Matt figuring out subway ticket purchase

McD's special breakfast- bacon, egg, sausage, cheese...healthy!

Mark eating...healthy?