Today was a relaxing day. It was our traditional day to do some sightseeing and shopping. After breakfast, we gathered about 9 to take taxis to go see the famous Kintai bridge and Iwakuni Castle. The original bridge was built in 1673 and was entirely wood--even the nails. It was destroyed by a flood the following year. It was rebuilt and lasted until 1950 when it was destroyed due a typhoon. The bridge we saw today was rebuilt in 1953. Just last week, because of the flooding they experienced here (many people died), the water in the river had been almost all the way up the stone columns (see pictures) and the bridge had been closed for safety. We traditionally take our picture in the riverbed, and in less than a week, the river bed was back to normal. I found some pictures of what the river looked like on July 7th of this year and put them in for comparison. After we took our team picture, we had a couple of hours to cross the bridge, shop, eat ice cream, go to the castle, visit the white snakes (some of us), and see the place where Paul used to live growing up.
After the visit, we all got taxis again and went to lunch. This was a very special lunch as a treat for the girls. It was not on the original plan. It is a style of Japanese eating called Shabu Shabu. Meat and/or vegetables are brought to the table and cooked in a pot of boiling flavor base. Eat pot had two sides, so the base that the meat is cooked in is two different flavors (it can just be water too). There were also sauces that the meat could be dipped into after the cooking. The water was so hot, and the meat provided is so thin that it only takes a couple of "swishes" for the meat to be cooked thoroughly. It was a lot of fun. The meat was two containers of bacon, with each container having about 8 pieces---bacon heaven. After lunch, we were shuttled by car back to the church, had a little time to rest and then off at 4 to go visit the Disaster Preparedness Center, which is just across the street from where our games (last night & tonight) have been. It was very interesting. They had a room where you could experience various levels of earthquakes (we did from a 2.0 to a 7.0 earthquake), practice escaping a smoke-filled room, practice using a fire extinguisher to put out a fire (on a screen, but it actually simulated putting it out), and calling 911 (but in Japan it is 119). They had a see-through floor to view the structure of the foundation and the mechanism used to help the building ride out an earthquake.
We then had some time to kill until about 6:15 when it was time to go over to prepare for the game at 7 against the Iwakuni Angels, the same team we played yesterday. The game was good, and after the game, the post-game mixing was good, and you could tell that they were a little more relaxed after our time together yesterday. They even sang us a song in English ("Let It Go"), and since they didn't have much time to practice, we joined in with them. Our spectators also included several city officials. They were probably observing how all of this was working to see if it was worth continuing. I think from what they saw, it was a huge hit (see pictures and videos). After the game, it was showers at the facility, then back to the church. We have only the one car (which can hold 6 and was leant by Pastor Glen) and would've meant at least 4 trips back and forth, but we received a call from Pastor Keegan who said he and another would come to help drive us back. Calvary Chapel church as been such a phenomenal blessing to us with housing and driving. It has saved us time, money and in general been a huge blessing and comfort for us. The ladies have a room where they can spread out too. So, thank you Calvary Chapel Iwakuni!!
Pictures--7/18
Pictures--All
Pictures--Franci's
Video Montage--7/18
Testimony Amy--7/18
My God Is So Big--7/18
Let It Go, Their song to us--7/18
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