Church, Games, July 15

     We started today with breakfast and the girls did their devos and cleaned up their sleeping area (sanctuary) to get ready for church.  We split up among 4 churches this time.  We attended worship with them and then had fellowship with them over lunch (which is common in Japan to eat together).  We had 2 of our ladies give their testimonies while another church had 4.  The church I was at had about 50-60 people, which is large for a Japanese church.  People are so friendly and giving, even more so than at American churches.  One thing I was impressed again with is how beautiful hymns sound sung in Japanese.  It is such a beautiful melodic language.  After lunch, it was some ping pong fellowship and then a short 7 minute walk to a piece of dirt to play a little soccer (there were 7 of us).  It was good it was only to play for a few minutes, as today was another beastly hot/humid day.  As bad or worse than yesterday.  Our bus went around to the churches and picked everyone up to take us about an hour away to the field.  We arrived at 4pm and it was still so beastly that we didn't even want to be outside.  Fortunately our game wasn't until 5.  By then it had cooled slightly (though any of you still wouldn't have wanted to be outside in it) and Paul had the idea to do our postgame program before the game.  This allowed extra time for the temp to cool a little more, and since we were going to be playing so many games, we didn't have to worry about losing the light.  The program went well.  Autumn did her testimony and it was really powerful.  Be sure to ask your tour member about it when they get home.  We then proceeded to the games.  Their were 2 other teams beside us:  FC Izumi Papas (BJ's team of over 50's) and the Izumi Techno girls team.  We played the Papas first (20 minute games), then the girls, then those two teams played, then repeated the process.  At the end, we mixed a bunch of people together.  After the games, it was an hour back to the church, then sento and dinner at the sento restaurant.  It is a sad night as it is our last in Osaka.  It seems like we just got here and now it is time to leave.  Please continue your prayers.  Spiritual warfare is very evident in a way I haven't seen before.  The Lord has come through (of course), but it is a battle, so keep praying.  Even as we were leaving the sento, we saw a car hit a bicyclist.  She (the bicyclist) was OK, but just a lot happened today. Again, your member can tell you more.  

Pictures--7/15
Pictures--7/15, Franci's
Pictures--All
Video Montage, 7/15
Testimony Ella
Testimony Amber
Testimony Becca
BJ & Mary's Musical Thank You