Tachibana H.S. Girls game, Kyoto Temple, July 13

     Breakfast at 8:30 today and then the ladies had their devos/sharing time at 9.  We left at 10:30 for the 90 minute drive to Kyoto.  About half-way there, Paul told us that we were where BJ now is actually pastoring a 2nd church.  He travels there once a week on Wednesdays and then once a month he preaches there on Sunday.  When he does, they use an ipad & skype (or FaceTime) to project onto a screen at his home church so they see the same sermon.  What a servant to serve two churches so faithfully.  We arrived in Kyoto, and to save time (& to eat more healthy), we stopped at a large grocery store to let everyone shop for whatever they wanted.  We ate then on the bus on the way to the field.  This team has a new coach, so one of the concerns was after this match, what direction would she want to take the team--in other words, would she want us back next year.  After the game, I heard her and Paul discussing plans for next year when it is time to bring the Biola men.  The teams played three 20-minute periods against each other and then one 20-minute period where the teams were mixed.  We scored 5 goals with Lizzie scoring 3 of them.  The other goals were scored by Ayaka & Selah-Joy.  After the game, Paul introduced/connected them with BJ,  and we did our Japanese song with both versions (slow & fast).  In the fast version, Autumn added her own special enhancements (see video).  This prompted Paul to ask them to do a song for us.  They were so shy it took almost 5 minutes it seemed to decide on one, but they finally did, and did a good job.  Then Kelly did her testimony (she even introduced herself in Japanese as she knows a little).  There was a lot of fun mixing time after the game.  It always amazes me how well these ladies seem to bond despite the language barrier
     After the game, we drove straight to the Kyoto temple to take our traditional team picture and then do some shopping on the main street leading to the temple--lots of shops.  We could not actually enter the temple as it was under reconstruction and we were running late because of the game.  We then also had to adjust our schedule because the plan had been to shower at the field, but because of the game running late, and the showers having only cold (tepid) water, we decided to eat first in Kyoto and then travel home to do the sento.  We stopped at McDonalds for dinner, which everyone really enjoyed.  It was then back to Osaka, sento for most, team laundry and rest for everyone else.
     Pray for tomorrow (today as you are reading this) as it will be one of our busiest days.  Breakfast will be at 8 (about 90 minutes from this writing) and departure at 8:30.  Clinic with Masa in the morning, games with Masa's older kids in the afternoon, and game against the FC Papas (BJ's 50+ team of men) in the evening.  Pray too for proper hydration.  With the humidity and heat, it is not just drinking enough water, but electrolyte replacement drinks too.  We have already seen some effects of this and it can sneak up on you so pray that everyone properly hydrates with the proper drinks.

Pictures--7/13
Pictures--All
Video Montage--7/13
"When the Saints Go Marching In"--BJ & the Seahorses (staff)--7/13, a special performance
Testimony Kelly
Kimi-Wa, 7/13, Autumn enhanced
Japanese sing us a song, 7/13