|
|
|
|
“Yes, we should definitely do that! Let’s offer to drive and see if we can all go together.” Caitlyn readily affirmed my (Michael’s) idea, and so we began executing our plan. The goal? Go to the graduation service at Hiroshima Saniku Gakuin (the SDA boarding academy in Hiroshima) to celebrate the graduation of a local church member’s daughter. Since we wanted to attend the service, why not carpool and all go together?
Thus began a series of back-and-forth conversations about attending the graduation service with the family at the church. The graduate’s father and mother wanted to attend but were not sure they could get there in their own car, so they were happy to take us up on our offer to drive. Unfortunately, we soon found that, unlike the graduations we were used to in the U.S., graduation in Japan is more of an event for parents and immediate family members than for guests and friends of the graduates.
Due to some last-minute changes in circumstances, Caitlyn and Hiroko had to stay back in our local area; however, I was able to receive special permission from the school and our connections there to attend the graduation as a guest. So the graduate’s parents and I got up early on a Sunday morning and drove all the way to the boarding academy east of Hiroshima City, which takes about two hours under normal circumstances. However, due to forecasted snow and the potential need for snow tires, the parents chose to take a rental car better equipped for a day trip in snowy weather than our project vehicle. The trip took longer than usual. Taking a rental car for a day trip is not uncommon in Japan; in some parts of the country, families rent cars to visit Costco or IKEA!
|
|
|
|
A graduate receives their diploma from the school principal.
|
|
Going to a graduation in Japan was a fun experience. It was not entirely unlike an Adventist graduation program in the States, with graduates marching in to Pomp and Circumstance, diplomas handed to graduates, and speeches from both school leaders and students. Some notable differences included singing two hymns and all three verses of the school song, another song by school teachers and staff, and the principal being on the receiving end of at least one, if not two, speeches made by graduates.
A wonderful surprise was seeing several friends I had not seen in quite some time, some not since we lived in Yokohama! One even said, with a big grin on his face, “I forgot how tall you were!” It was lovely to catch up with them and, of course, practice some more Japanese as we conversed. As with most events, though, things ended way too quickly. Since this was a boarding academy, we drove to the girls’ dorm, loaded the daughter’s belongings, and then headed back on the long trek home to Yamaguchi Prefecture.With one big step in life complete, it will be wonderful to see where God leads her and the other students, whether to a college or university, to full-time employment or to something else.
|
|
|
|
Smiling around Christmas time as we pretend to enjoy the cold.
|
|
Many of us have gone through various adjustments associated with changing stages of life, and not just academically—new jobs, new friends, new relationships and more all change the way we schedule our lives each and every day. Caitlyn and I have experienced many such changes in our lives since arriving in Japan: a new job, moving twice, a new main language to use daily, transitioning between language school and learning Japanese on our own, and more.
Thankfully, despite all the changes, whether easy, hard or nearly impossible, God is with us through them all, helping and guiding us in each moment. Jesus promises in Matthew 28:20, “lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (NKJV). Whether times are good or bad, look up to Jesus—He is with you, and He will be with you through these times.
“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23, NKJV, emphasis supplied).
|
|
Speaking of life changes, we want to announce a life stage change of our own: in March, a new missionary is projected to arrive on our project. This missionary is very, very small... and will probably cry a lot... and need some help getting started in life. Yes, that’s right—Lord willing, we are becoming parents! This expected arrival has changed a lot within our lives over the last six months, but that is a subject for another newsletter.
Because of this huge change, the March/April newsletter may or may not come late, and there may be a temporary pause in our social media posts. We apologize ahead of time if this happens, but I am sure you understand. Please feel free to reach out to our email address any time, even if we have not sent a newsletter!
|
|
Praises & Prayer Requests
|
|
|
- Michael recently finished his first sermon series in Japanese. It took a lot of research and time to put together, but it addressed some deep questions church members had about a specific Bible topic. God blessed, and we think the series went well.
- Please pray that we handle life changes well without losing focus on reaching the lost in Japan.
- We are so grateful for the good prenatal care that we have received over the last eight months.
- Please pray earnestly for us as we seek God’s leading regarding future housing and ministry locations.
|
|
We would love to hear back from you. You can email us at adventure@shoesatthedoor.net. We are happy to pray for any prayer requests you might have, so please feel free to send them our way.
Thank you so much for your support!
|
|
 Michael & Caitlyn Babienco
Adventist Frontier Missions
Career Missionaries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
