Hitachi-Taga: Old friends, good memories

Sunday morning, we were blessed with the privilege of worshipping with the believers at the Taga church in Hitachi-Taga. This was the church we worked with through our LST experience four years ago. So many familiar faces, so many familiar sights and sounds. It was very much like coming home again. I was asked to read scripture (in English, thankfully), and even got to say a few words at the end of the service, in which I briefly mentioned Philippians 1:3-6 where Paul says, “I thank my God every time I remember you…” I finally understood–with all of my being–what Paul was talking about in that passage, and I was very overcome with emotion to be back with those wonderful people again.

Judith Alexander, a missionary who currently works with the Taga church and helped us arrange our travel, was a great friend we had made there during our short visit in 2006. We were able to catch up with her as well as the preacher, Sugao Tadokoro. They treated us to lunch and great conversation at Woody’s (just a few blocks from the church building), before having to head back to the bus station. Judith drove us to the bus stop (after first making a detour to the beach), and they sent us off with hugs and greetings for the Haruna church.

Below are two pictures from the most recent trip and two from the previous trip. Clockwise, from upper left: 1) The Taga church building, 2) Sugao preaching on Sunday morning (this trip), 3) Saito-san, a wonderful elderly couple in the church (from last trip), and 4) Sugao and Judith (from last trip).