January has provided our family with the rare feeling of frozen noses, the unique crunch of snow colder than zero degrees Fahrenheit, and the delicious warmth of central heating! We have also had the fun of shoveling snow several times, though we’ve learned sometimes a broom works better than a shovel. Melodie enjoyed wearing snow pants and sledding.

It’s great to be back in the United States of America. I’m not sure Norman would agree with that statement, but, for me, it’s true. I enjoy being here, and I enjoy being in Japan. They are just totally different! I have truly enjoyed being able to spend extra time with my mom as she adjusts to life without her husband after 51 (and three quarters) years. (My dad was an accountant and had us kids qualify how old we were: “I’m 10 and 3/4 years old.”) Please continue to pray for my mom (Eileen Strutz) as she makes many decisions in coming months. She is a strong Christian who understands God’s plan and His wisdom, so accepting this death is easier for her than for those without this understanding. However, the day-to-day reality can be difficult at times, and it seems like every appliance in the house has decided to break down! (The plumber is here replacing the leaky water heater as I write.)

Norman and the kids spent two and a half weeks in Alabama before and over Christmas, in order to see his family and to visit a couple supporting churches there. We were reunited shortly after Christmas, and there was much rejoicing! We’ve visited two other supporting churches since they’ve been back, and we are always blessed to see thriving groups of local believers, practicing what they preach and living for the Lord.

We plan to relocate to Waverly, IA, around January 23, using a mission house as our new base from which to travel. My mother will be joining us on the adventure, and we look forward to making new memories with her.

Here is the Smiths’ furlough schedule as it stands now. We will use some Wednesdays as well to visit churches, but these are the Sundays scheduled.

12/17   Argonia Church, AL

12/24   Phillips Chapel, Northport, AL

12/31   Faith Baptist, Adams, WI

1/7      First Baptist, Kiel, WI

1/14    First Baptist, Hartland, WI

1/21    Ladysmith Baptist, Ladysmith, WI

1/28    Blaine Baptist, Blaine, MN

2/4      Calvary Baptist, Chatfield, MN

2/11     First Baptist, Yarmouth, IA

2/18    Walnut Park Baptist, Muscatine, IA

2/25    Grace Baptist, Emmetsburg, IA

3/4       Faith Baptist, Carroll, IA

3/11     Faith Baptist, Iowa City, IA

3/18     Hagerman Baptist, Waterloo, IA

3/25     Green Pond Baptist, Green Pond, AL

CONTACT INFORMATION: norman at smithlife.net (substitute the word “at” with the @ symbol)

Praise God, our entire family was able to find plane tickets to the USA a few weeks ahead of schedule. Our furlough was set to start on December 13, but God had other plans. My father unexpectedly went to heaven on November 27, so we pushed up the pace and left Japan on November 29 instead. We were able to be with my family, attend the visitation and the funeral, and be here for my mom. Please keep my family in your prayers, especially my mom as she figures out all the details involved with this adjustment.

On a lighter note, my father was a believer, so we know we’ll see him again one day! He wrote a poem, which we handed out at his funeral. (See below.) We’re praying to see fruit from the legacy he left behind. He knew so many people! He loved jokes and puns, and I thought of a good one! He arrived at the church in a hearse, and then they took him to the cemetery in it, too. I told his pastor that my dad was having a “rehearsal.” I thought my dad would like that one!

With my dad suddenly “missing” in our lives, I have been thinking more about life and what God expects from me. I’ve come to the realization that my father’s course is finished. His race is run. But for those of us still living, our course is yet to be completed! We still have today to live for God’s glory, fulfilling the purpose He has for each one of us. This has been a good reminder to me to make the best use of the time I have left on this earth. Our times are in His hands!

“My Song”

by Allen P. Strutz

(May 8, 1943 – November 27, 2017)

A sinner, a sinner, a lowly lonely sinner, That’s what I used to be.

I pondered, I wandered, I walked around forever, Not knowing what there was meant for me.

Until I met this man of wisdom and age, Who talked with discernment and courage.

I listened, I listened, wanting to hear some more Of the gospel which I never had heard before.

The Bible, the Bible, God’s book of Holy Word, He opened and showed to me the way.

He showed me, he taught me, of Jesus Christ our Lord, His love and compassion to obey.

Who came down to die on the cross for me, yes me, To shed His blood to set me free.

I accepted, I asked Him, to come into my heart and save me, In my life He will always be.

A believer, a believer, a happy uplifted believer, That’s what I now can be named.

I’ll follow, I’ll follow, I’ll follow Him forever, Knowing now that I am forever saved.

To do what that man of age did for me, Showing others the truth and the way.

A servant, a servant, one of God’s I’ll be, Until the day He calls for me.

There’s a huge tree on our property at home that has grown quite tall. Its limbs have broken from time to time, and it needed a trim. So we asked a tree-cutting company to take care of it for us. Two men came with a crane. Our whole family was interested to see how they would go about cutting some of the tree’s crown away while leaving other parts of it intact. We waited and waited, but they weren’t starting.

Soon a third man came, and a small ceremony took place outside our window. All three men squatted down in a semi-circle around the base of the tree, placing their hands together in a praying position. They sat there like that for several minutes. Then one man took a large bottle of rice wine and sprinkled it around the tree. Another man took a handful of salt and scattered it on the opposite side of the tree.

Foreigners that we are, we can speculate what they were doing. The Shinto religion elevates nature as objects with feelings, abilities, and perhaps spirits. I believe these men were apologizing for the fact that they were about to cut off some of this tree’s limbs. Also, they were probably thanking the tree for the shade it had offered up until that time.

It’s sad for us Christians to watch this, especially since most Japanese don’t really believe there’s anything to religion of any kind. The government wants to declare that Shintoism shouldn’t be considered a religion but a national tradition. But many workers refuse to start work unless these special rites are completed. Superstition plays a part in Japanese people’s day-to-day lives. Please pray that Japanese people would worship the Creator of the trees.

Summer is well under way here in southern Japan. We’ve had high humidity and upper-90’s temps. Whew! I’m learning to look for the positives and enjoy what I can during the heat. One thing I enjoy is washing the rice in cold water before cooking it. It’s always nice to take a shower at the end of the day, too.

I don’t think I’ve mentioned in this blog about the Kumamoto Bible School, but Norman began classes last year, I believe. First, it was one class with Keiko and Amanda, who are living with us. But now he has classes each Sunday afternoon (with about 7 students) and one on Friday nights (with about 9 students). Currently, they are studying Doctrine III and Hermeneutics (studying/interpreting the Bible). He has to speak in both English and Japanese since our students come with different language capabilities. It is such a joy to be able to help people grow deeper roots in their understanding of God’s Word and personal discipleship. Please keep these students in your prayers. Norman, too!

Since our family will be taking a mini-furlough later this year, our kids took a few weeks’ break from school in June, before getting a head start on history or science. I didn’t want to lug all those fat textbooks overseas for just a couple months, so I figure if we can get through some of it now, we can ease off of it later. It hasn’t been as bad as I had thought. Their “school day” is over so quickly now! One subject, and then they’re done for the day! Mom likes it, too. So I’ve been hearing about evolutionary concepts versus creation truth, musculature of the body and the amazing forethought God had in creating the human body, as well as the capitals of Canada. A broad range of thoughts!

Coming up this weekend will be a family concert at our coffee shop, children’s camp next week, and another karate belt test!

We have been picking green beans and tomatoes lately. And picking lots of weeds that we didn’t plant! Eggplant are on their way to fruit-bearing, as are the green peppers. We’ve got vines and flowers on a cantaloupe-type melon, gourds, cucumbers, and pumpkins. We hope the weeds don’t overtake them….nor the wild boar! The crows are also bad for the garden!

We’ve had a bit of sickness pass through our family. I think we’re on the mend. . . maybe!

Again, thank you for your prayers and support in so many ways. We seek to be faithful in serving God here as you serve Him there. Thank you for doing your part in this greatest work on earth.

Life has gotten in the way of updating this blog! Spring seems like a busy time. Easter was a blessing, with some unsaved people attending. We shared the Lord’s Supper during one service. We continue to rejoice that Jesus was raised again so we, too, can walk in newness of life and look forward to heaven!

On the home front, our children had a karate belt test – to move from a white belt up to an orange belt. There were lots of nerves, not knowing what to expect, and doing it in another language. They worked hard to prepare. They knew they’d be asked to do 50 push-ups and 50 squats. They ended up having to do jumping squats instead, which about killed them! But they all passed with flying (orange) colors. 🙂

Karate belt test

Since the last time I wrote, we’ve come in contact with another family who is interested in joining our Bible study. The problem is that they live over an hour away! As we considered it, we realized that there are 3 families who come from that faraway place called Minami Aso. The first 2 families we met from there have been coming at least occasionally to our Sunday morning Bible study. The latest family said it’s just too far. They have four small children to drag along with them, too. So, we’ve been sniffing around the Minami Aso area for ideas of where we could meet together once a week. It would mean shifting around our current schedule and stretching Norman’s strength a bit more. What we really need is more helpers!! Pray with us about this new venture. God is working in hearts, but the laborers are few and far between.

Our family is growing up…at least in stature! We hope they’re growing other ways, too. 🙂

Wow. I haven’t updated this blog in a couple months! Sorry about that. Life has been moving right along — homeschool, projects, coffee shop, Bible studies, Kumamoto Bible School, music events.

December always opens opportunities to share the real meaning for Christmas. On December 2, we shared a Christmas gathering with my once-a-month English conversation class.

English class

One more pic!

I was able to explain two Christmas carols that had lots of Christmas meaning included in them. I wrote each lady a note in a Christmas card in which I urged them to pursue Christ.

Keiko (who lives with us) was able to help Sue (our co-worker) with her Christmas kids’ event on December 10. They had 12 elementary students from Sue’s neighborhood.

Our evening Bible study group that meets in Kumamoto City held a Christmas event on December 17. About 30 people came, a good number unsaved. We sang carols, played Christmas charades, had a Christmas flashcard story for the kids, had a Christmas quiz, and listened to Norman share why Christmas is important and remembered all around the world. Good food ended the party, but people hung around to talk and fellowship for a total of four hours! We had at least 2 newcomers, and everyone heard the gospel. (If you are wondering, the location was Marty’s preschool!)

Christmas party on the 17th

Flashcard story

Christmas message

Lots of fellowship

Marty and Chika in a festive spirit

Other happenings this month include Melodie’s first violin recital. She survived!

Melodie at her recital. She played several songs with a group ensemble, too.

Melodie had gotten a sewing machine for her birthday in July, and Norman had free time to help her sew her first project! Good job, Melodie! (and Norman!)

We still have a Christmas gathering scheduled for the 24th; and, of course, the 25th will be special. Keep those in your prayers, please.

We thank you for your thoughts and prayers this year. Thanks to each who has sent us cards, gifts, and support. We couldn’t be here without all of you! We wish you all a merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Please allow me to share a bit of Japanese culture. 🙂

I suppose it all started with the earthquake in April. Some poor lady’s car was parked beneath a heavy object. The earthquake jiggled it loose, and the object fell on top of her car, denting the roof in a dimpled pattern.

My first lesson of Japanese culture is this: Many Japanese have a “throw-away” mentality. One of our friends got a small scrape on his year-old car, and he didn’t even think twice over his “need” to buy another one. In this earthquake case, the lady decided to get rid of her imperfect car with the dimpled roof.

My second lesson of Japanese culture is this: Cars must be inspected every two years. (I’m not sure if brand new cars need to be inspected this often since we’ve never had one.) Our small car needed to be inspected this month, so Norman took it to our mechanic. The auto guy gritted his teeth and gave us bad news: “It’s old. It has lots of kilometers (miles). And it needs work.” He could make it roadworthy, but he couldn’t guarantee it would make it until the next inspection. However, the good news he had was this: Some poor lady’s car had been dimpled in the earthquake, and he could sell it to us for a greatly reduced price! There was one catch (as it related to me). It is a manual transmission car. Stick shift. Normally, this wouldn’t be a problem. But in Japan it caused one for me.

My third lesson of Japanese culture: In order to drive a stick shift, you must pass your driver’s test, using a manual transmission car. The driving test is more challenging here, so when we first arrived in Japan, I opted to obtain merely a license to drive an automatic car. I suppose a fourth Japanese cultural point is the driver’s test here! If you merely show up and take the driving test, you must pay about $60 and drive through a mini-driving course (not on public roads). The real trick is that there are two courses (Courses A and B) which take different routes around the driving range. You must memorize all the twists and turns, as well as keep up with all the nuances they deem prudent for driving (like rolling down your window at railroad crossings to listen for an oncoming train). In my case, to lessen my stress, and since I hadn’t driven a stick shift in 15 years, I joined a short driving school. After practicing for four hours on their course, with careful instruction, I then could take the driving test. Only this time, the instructor would tell me where to turn instead of my need to memorize it.

Praise the Lord, I passed! It was a bit more expensive than taking a lone driving test (unless I failed it too often and had to keep retaking it), but now I’m the proud owner of a license that allows me to drive my dimpled, “new” car! 🙂

The most amazing thing in August was attending the baptism of three of our believers: Marty, Chika, and Chloe.

Marty

Chika

Chloe

Please keep these disciples of Christ in your prayers as they strive to follow God in every aspect of their lives. The spiritual journey is a battle that never stops until Jesus takes us home.

We were able to show our faces on television twice. Technically, we aired both in July and August. The picture below was taken during shooting for a meal I made that the reporter tried. It was part of a show called “Suppers around the World.”

TV crew taking close-up shots of Hawaiian Chicken in our dining room

Because of being on TV, we have had new customers to our coffee shop, since the camera crews took footage of that, too. Check-out clerks at the stores I frequent made sure to tell me they saw me, even clerks who normally don’t talk to me!

We have seen a few newcomers to our morning Bible study in August. One lady heard for the first time that Jesus rose from the dead. She was amazed to realize that.

I’ve been meeting monthly with my new friends Yoko and Yuko. They have really gotten into learning about the big overview of the Bible. Some good questions have arisen, and I believe God is at work.

Norman and I have had the opportunity to work with two different couples as they work through marital struggles. Satan would like nothing more than to destroy these families. Please pray for each spouse to submit to God’s truth in faith and follow through in their actions. Pray for us as we guide them through this. We need wisdom and patience.

Mr. Shimazu and us — the workers at the coffee shop

On another note, we have hired a worker to cover many hours at the Guidepost Gallery and Coffee shop (or Michishirube, in Japanese). Mr. Shimazu has been a friend and fellow artist for about 6 years. It is wonderful to have some freedom away from the shop!

To end on a chipper note, I bought some colorful blocks for the small children who visit our home from time to time. Apparently, Melodie thought they were perfect for her!

A chip off this old block