Cherry Blossom Viewing

May 11, 2015

Cherry Blossom Viewing

( Cherry blossom viewing. Shin-Urayasu, Japan)

We arrived back in Japan just in time for cherry blossom season. We spent a day in the park viewing the cherry blossoms with friends and relaxing after the long flight from the States. Viewing the cherry blossoms is very important in Japan and everyone finds some time to go while the trees are in bloom.

The Japanese poet, Motoori Norinaga (1730-1801) wrote: “If I were asked to explain the Japanese spirit, I would say it is wild cherry blossoms glowing in the morning sun!”

Many of my Japanese friends have explained to me that Japanese people love cherry blossoms because they are like life. Fleeting. They last just a short time and then they are gone.

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About Our Family

Best known as the home of Tokyo Disneyland, and sister city to Orlando, Urayasu was once a small fishing village on Tokyo Bay. A coastal land-reclamation project expanded its area fourfold, bringing rapid growth and an influx of young people and families. When an MTW team moved into the Shin Urayasu target area, there was no church in this new community of 40,000 - not surprising in a country where only 0.3 percent of the population identify as Christians.

With God's help, things are beginning to change. Through the MTW Tokyo Bay Team’s church-planting efforts, Shin-Urayasu Grace Church had its first worship service in 2012. The church is establishing itself in the community as they seek to love God, love each other and the community.

Robert and Lisa Stewart, with their children William and Isabel, are part of this MTW work in Japan. Robert is building relationships through a men's group in the community, church outreach, and a men's Bible study. He teaches two days a week at Covenant Community School International to give educational support to their children as well as the children of other MTW families. Lisa is focused on building relationships with other moms through play groups, cooking classes, and Bible study.

Pray that God would call many Japanese to a saving faith in Jesus Christ and that Shin-Urayasu Grace Church would be a thriving, Christ-centered church.

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The Stewart Family in Japan

Cherry Blossom Viewing

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