Mark and Jim Arrive in Japan

On Saturday the 9th Mark Keyes and Jim Laverty from N.Ireland arrived in Japan for a 8 day mission trip. After getting settled in and adjusting to the heat (hot and humid!) and jetlag they were ready to go. This morning (sunday 10th) they lead some worship at a local church and it went brilliantly (pic 1). The church really loved them and we all had a meal together after the service (pic 2). The Japanese curry went down well with all, as did Mark's redition of "The Hills of Tandragee" with the words of a Psalm...great! They are due to speak and worship again tonight, and everyone is looking forward to hearing more from them. They really have been a great blessing to everyone even though they only arrived yesterday.

We have loads of other stuff planned for them for the remainer of the trip, including:

• A primary school visit
• Sightseeing trip
• Midweek meeting at our church
• Women's meeting at a church in south Osaka
• English class

So things are going great (apart from Jim not being able to use his mobile phone!) and we are looking forward to the rest of the trip. More news later!

p.s. They are currently against the idea of a trip to the hot spring (public bath), but we are still trying to persuade them!