This week my wife Makiko and I went to Tokyo. I had the opportunity to see a couple of the six surgeons that operated on my jaw last summer. One of the younger surgeons noticed that I was there and eagerly came to talk to my wife and me. She is so curious how life in the country is going for our family. She asks about my daughters wondering if they enjoy being in the country. It seems to me that it is a new experience for her to see young people shunning the city for country life… and it is intriguing her. This was the second time she asked me about country life. I took the opportunity to extend hospitality to her and invite her to come for a visit when she has a vacation day. Her head and shoulders dropped as she said with a longing tone… “I want to!” Then revealed that she’s only had one day off in the last year. That includes weekends. When I met her originally, it was during my inpatient stay and she came in at the start of a 12-hour night shift. Tokyo is quite the attraction for those trying to get ahead in career life, but it comes at a huge cost for so many.
One of our projects is to prepare a Rest Retreat to invite some of the millions of people that rarely have a break… and when they do, don’t know where to go. You can help. We need construction help and financial supporters. God can bless any amount. Pray for those in Japan that are too busy, too tired to listen to the gospel.
“But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:7-10