Folks, it's warming up!

Well, I have to say I'm warming up!  I mean the weather is starting to warm up!  Yes, the temperatures have risen, however they also have played with my mind.  Some days it is warm enough to not wear a jacket.  Other days I have to wear the jacket and gloves on the bicycle ride.  We'll go up into the low 20's C. or our high could be as low as 11ᵒC.  There are signs that spring is on its way.  The cherry blossoms have started to bloom and farmers have started to plant.  

Blossoms starting to come out!

Notice the contrast between the blossoms and the bushes?  

Farmers planted their field on March 9th.

 The season of the Senior Comprehensive projects is upon us!  Last week Wednesday morning, we had one senior make a presentation to the staff about using Fair Trade coffee and tea at CAJ.  This past Monday, another Senior set up a table outside in the plaza and sold scarves, bracelets, purses and other items in order to raise money for an organization New Light India.  The prices were quite reasonable and I ended up buying three purses.  

Don't you love the elephants!  

The red is what drew me to this purse.  

I love the little mirrors that look like sequins.  

Yesterday was March 11th, the second anniversary of the triple disaster, earthquake, tsunami and the nuclear issues at the Fukushima Plant.  I was not in Japan two years ago, and probably do not have the same response to March 11 as many people here do.  At school, we had a moment of prayer right at the time that the earthquake happened.  I thought it was a very good idea.  We took the time to remember, but also to pray for those people who have lost so much and are still struggling.  The rebuilding is slow, but even in the time from the end of November until the end of February, there have been changes in the Sendai region, new buildings built in places were the old building was destroyed by the tsunami.  Please pray that Christians may seize the opportunity to minister to and to share the Good News.