Before we get too far past ...

Here are a few highlights of our past few weeks--

STANTA CLAUS was called on to cheer up some kindergarten children who attend a
school nearby a friend's church.  Not only did he bring joy to the children,
 but also to a police man who happened to see him getting suited up
in the car on the way over from the train station.

A team from Singapore visited the Senior Day Care Center in our community where we had been a few weeks before with the Fisher family from Minnesota.  They gave a full program and handed out gifts.   The headmistress says that she feels freedom this month out of the year to share the gospel with those who come, and welcomed both teams.

The headmistress (in front) has the group introduce themselves.

On December 23 there was a Singaporean Christmas party, complete with food and games. Many of the Japanese ladies who attended are English Bible Study students from various classes affiliated with ICCS. They have met the team from Singapore the past four years, and have made some good connections with them.

Ken gave his testimony at the party.  His mother attended. She hasn't made a profession of faith,
 but she has certainly seen the changes in him.  Ken has been working full time in
the emotional care ministries in the Fukushima area since April.

This year we were going to forego the caroling, because last year it started late (always after the Christmas Eve service) and neighbors of people we visited complained about the noise. However, several were very disappointed to hear of our plans, and the idea came that we should go caroling BEFORE Christmas Eve service.

Here is the group outside of one of the regular attenders of an English Bible class
( he's int he back right, holding up his gift bag).

And here they are talking with T-san, who comes regularly to our church, and whose daughter and son-in-law joined him for Candle Light service later.

We had a nice group for Christmas Eve service.

Candle light and singing of Silent Night.

Stan leading the singing

With Christmas Day being Sunday morning, we wondered who would come out.  We were pleasantly surprised at the good turn-out!

The Singapore Team along with the Loh's (Campus Crusade missionaries and faithful members of ICCS) and us.  These folks gave up Christmas at home to spend it in our church and sharing with people in our neighborhood.

On New Year's Sunday we had the same question--who would be there?

Along with a good number of regulars, we had two "alumni families" come with their small children.  It was a treat to start the year off with our church family.

And finally, a few "purikura" photos we took with our girls a few days ago...

Don't you wish all cameras were that gracious!

Happy New Year from the De La Cour's in Japan!