Prayer Walks, Sushi Bar, and Japanese Bath House

Today was a good day. We first helped with a few little projects for the church since it was rainy all day and we couldn't do our yard work outside in the rain. Before lunch a group of us went to the supermarket down the street to get some "comfort foods" including bananas, bread, rolls, cheese, Pringles, and ice cream bites. I was happy to do so because I was able to make a cheese sandwich before lunch - strips of chicken with curry on top and of course rice. I didn't have much of that at all. 

This afternoon we went to a peninsula about twenty minutes from the church to do prayer walks at various locations. My favorite location was the coast. It looked as if it had once been a beach, but the destruction from the tsunami in that area took everything out. Even the stairs leading up to the beach were all completely covered in packed down sand, making it hard to climb up. The view was amazing. With it being rainy as well, the ocean seemed that more powerful and ominous. 

For dinner tonight we went to a sushi bar. Yum right? Ha no. I ate a bit before going. It was a cool place with conveyor belts of sushi going around. At each table there was also a little screen you could order things from. Guess what I had. Four large slabs of fresh pineapple and two slices of cake. Best. Sushi bar. Ever. I didn't have a single bite of sushi :)

Theeeen we went to a Japanese public bath house. Yupp that's right. You go get undressed, sit at a little vanity, wash your hair and your body in front of a mirror, then walk with only a hand towel to one of several little hot tubs. The one few girls and me chose was the one that was hottest and had jets. They quickly got too hot and went to a slightly cooler one. I stayed in for a good while (until I got light headed), letting the jets massage my calves and shins (from Charlie horses and a lot of walking) and my upper back and shoulders. Once you get passed the awkwardness of everyone being naked, it's very relaxing and soothing. Definitely a cultural experience. 

Things to pray for:

~ Cierra got sick last night (Monday night) with a low fever and stuffy nose

~ My left calf is still tight from the Charlie horses, my shin muscles are sore from so much walking and makes it hard to walk, and my neck has been weak and feeling like the pain behind my ear will start at any time

~ tomorrow is our first day of oyster farming (what I'll be doing with five others) and going to the temporary housing

~ open minds and good attitudes for the team

~ relationships would be strengthened between the Japanese people we will be in contact with and the church and missionaries

~ God's presence and love would be made known to the Japanese people here. So many are without hope and carry guilt for having survived such a tragedy while many people had to die.

Praises:

~ Katee and Kristy are feeling better

~ Our change of plans today was God's plan all along because we needed the low key day

~ I could eat meals today (little praises are good too)

Everyone's overall good attitude so far despite changes in plans, food, lack of sleep, dreary weather, etc. 

~ God is sovereign and in control over everything we are doing here