Update - I sincerely apologize for having the wrong sciprture in this post. The scripture used by the missionaries in Japan is Luke 10:2 and they pray the scripture twice a day at 10:02.

I took a full day off and did nothing but review my notes, wrote in my blog, and relaxed. We went to a local Japanese restaurant for dinner. Expensive, but very good.  The next morning was my birthday. We had planned to meet with Richard and Keri, but no details had been put in place. We wanted to remain flexible.  By train, our hotel was about an hour from their house. By car, when there was no traffic, it took about 35 minutes. In traffic it would take over two hours.
















In the morning we walked out through a park in downtown Tokyo. It was a garden built by one of the emperors for his guests to visit. It was severely damaged in the fire bombings during World War II. Now, it is a place for anybody to visit to get away from the business of the city. It costs to enter, so there are few people there.  We walk around and enjoy the art of the plants and the grounds.

We talk with Richard on the phone and agree to meet Kellz and him in the afternoon. We will visit Tokyo Tower and the Imperial Palace - real tourist stuff for the day - then make the trek to their home for a birthday celebration with all the kids.  To me it sounded as if a great way to end the week - especially since the spiritual climate had me so worn out.

We could see Tokyo Tower from our hotel, but then again, I think you can see it from any hotel in Tokyo. It appears close. The train ride is short. As we walk the several blocks to the tower, we pass by another Buddhist temple. Richard says there is something here we need to see.  I know it is true. Tokyo Tower and the Imperial Palace are secondary items in the grand scheme of things. This is what we are here to see and to learn.

The temple is under construction. Looks like they are doing some repair work on it. Many of these temples are hundreds of years old. This one is no different. It is a very large temple. As we approach the main building there seems to be nothing different than the others we have visited.

Then we see them. Along the right side of the building for the entire length of the grounds are small statues. Each has a colorful hat on the head and flowers at the feet. Some of the flowers are real and some are artificial.

Richard explains that these are here for people who have had abortions, miscarriages, stillborns. There are a couple of ladies there watering the flowers. You can feel the sadness. There is a lot of other activity going on around the temple, but I don't notice it. I watch the ladies as they water the flowers by their statue. One is weeping. The other is elderly. I wonder what her story is, but now does not seen the time to ask.

We continue our walk to Tokyo Tower. As an attraction, it seems shallow today. I notice that they are celebrating their 50th birthday. As we buy tickets, I tell them it is my birthday, too. They tell me I can have a free piece of cake at the restaurant on the tower as their way of celebrating with me. Now that is cool!

The view from the top of the tower is nice. We see a city that is very large and stretches for as far as the eye can see.  For me, it is a reminder that less than 0.7% of the people are Christians - and that is a lot of people.

Next we visit the Imperial Palace which is a short train ride. Huge grounds. Well manicured. Well protected. There are some protesters near the grounds. Richard tells us they are pro-monarchy protesters who want a return to the monarchy rule.  We walk around the grounds. The kids are having fun with me, teasing me, pushing me, enjoying the afternoon while Richard and Sword are engrossed in discussions of the history of Japan.  We come to a picturesque place where bridges were built across a river - one moved from the palace at Kyoto by the king's command. Then it is time to head to the Nakamura's home for dinner and celebration time.

On the 45 minute train ride, I reflect on my trip. I have really enjoyed the time here. I have learned a lot. I have seen pieces of a nation that previously I have only heard about. I have witnessed a people longing for God, longing for righteousness. I have seen the desire of my daughter's heart.

When we arrive at the train station, Richard tells us that Keri and the kids will be meeting us there. It is a shopping mall with several restaurants. They would like to treat me to my birthday....all I have to do is pick the restaurant. We enjoy a great dinner while fellowshipping with our missionary friends. After dinner, Richard buys me a pair of chop sticks for my birthday. He wants me to have them as a reminder of the Japanese people, as a reminder of the work that needs to be done, and as a reminder to pray. I gladly accept and pick out a pair that are hand painted.

Ann, Ryan and I stay behind as Richard takes everybody else to their home - we can't all fit in the car at the same time.  Ann and I purchase a few last minute souvenirs, then head out to where we are to meet Richard. There is a McDonald's right at the meeting area, so we get a hamburger for Ryan. He is so happy to have a kids meal with a Pokemon. Ryan tried the food at every meal we ate, so I have to give him credit for that. He didn't eat a lot of the Japanese food. He loved the pancakes, though. He would eat four or five of them. This evening he enjoys McDonald's.

At Richard and Keri's home, they have brownies for my birthday. I am impressed (I don't like cake, but I love brownies). Keri tells me that Kellz made them for me. Things like that make a Dad's heart so happy. I have seen Kellz adapt to the new environment so well. I look over at her. She has little Nathan on her knee while sitting at the table playing a card game with the girls.  This is what she wants to do. She wants to be a missionary here. She doesn't understand it fully yet, but her heart is right.

The Nakamura's bless me with a rendition of Happy Birthday that I will never forget. The brownies are delicious. The coffee is great. The fellowship is sweet. At 10:02, Richard's watch alarm sounds. He tells us that all the missionaries in Japan have all agreed to pray for the country at 10:02 - twice a day. It is a reference to Luke 10:02. Today we join them as they pray. It is a wonderful birthday blessing to be able to stand in prayer with them.

It is time to say our goodbyes. Kellz is coming back to the hotel with us. We will leave for home in the morning. Richard will drive us into Tokyo to our hotel so we don't have to lug Kellz luggage through the train. I feel like I am saying goodbye to family. I am sure the Nakamura family has seen people like us come and go, but for me it has been a bond-building experience that will not be easily broken. Richard and Keri...our brother and sister in Christ. Both fighting the good fight. Both giving their lives for Him and being a light in a dark land.

Thank you Richard and Keri. Thank you for being wonderful representatives of Send International. Thank you for being warriors for the kingdom. Thank you for putting your lives second to the lives of others in a land far away from home.